BREAKIN' BREAD???

So is the Seventh day Sabbath Saturday or every day of the week? We certainly worship God everyday but if we kept the Sabbath everyday, we would be Lazy, not Holy. God specifically said the Seventh day and He has never told us to the contrary and until such time that He does so in unmistakable words, that is what we should be doing. It is sin not to do so and wilful, unrepented sin cannot be forgiven. See Hebrews 10:26-29.
 
In Bible times, the days did not start at midnight but began and ended at sunset. This first day of the week meeting was in fact after sunset and before midnight. So this meeting was in fact on what we would call Saturday evening or Saturday night. So much for a supposed Sunday meeting! Paul was about to depart the next day and so this was a Sabbath meeting that had been extended very late into the night. So much so that Eutychus fell asleep while listening to Paul’s long hours of preaching, and fell out the window. (Acts 20:9) The Greek word parateino translated continued in Acts 20:7 means to (to stretch); to extend along, that is, prolong (in point of time).

Because the majority of Christians are familiar with the term “breaking bread” being associated with communion, it has become a mind set to automatically associate this phrase with communion. But this is yet another wrong assumption. Breaking of bread was something done at every meal. When those seated at the meal table wanted some bread, they would take the bread from the table and break of a piece. The last supper with Jesus and His disciples was also a meal and the bread was broken just as it would have at any other meal. The only difference was that Jesus was also using the bread and the wine as an analogy. The following two scriptures demonstrate this well. The first is the Lord’s Supper and the second Jesus breaks bread and feeds the multitudes. Both circumstances involved giving thanks and breaking bread. One was communion and one was not. There is a lot of confusion over this issue with many Christians and even some theologians. In any case, this took place on Saturday night and this is something that many have apparently failed to notice. The Greek word used in both cases is also the same.

1 Corinthians 11:24 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Matthew 15:36 “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

Observe how the Good News Bible translates the breaking of bread to the “fellowship meal” and note also how this Bible translates “first day of the week” to “Saturday evening” to avoid confusion for the reader. At least some translators were observant and translated it accordingly.
Acts 20:7 King James Version “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

Acts 20:7 Good News Bible “On Saturday evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day.”
Acts 2:46 King James Version “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”
Acts 2:46 Good News Bible “Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,”

When Eutychus fell asleep and fell out the window, Paul went downstairs, prayed over him and the Lord restored him to life. Paul then went back up stairs and preached ALL night as he was leaving them first thing in the morning. Would Paul and those listening have been hungry? Would they have had refreshments such as bread and other food to get them through the night? Of course. Paul says that if we take of the Lord’s Supper to satisfy our hunger we take it to our condemnation (1 Corinthians 11:34). The context of the verse is that this was done for sustenance to get through a long night of preaching and was not done in reverence. In any case, this was a Saturday meeting that extended right through the night to Sunday morning and so it is not really relevant if this were communion or not but it seems more than likely that it was just a meal.

Acts 20:11 “Now when Paul had gone back upstairs, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.”

Here is one more situation where food was required for sustenance and is clearly not communion but yet again we find Paul giving thanks and breaking bread. This was a meal for strength and survival as verse 34 states.

Acts 27:34-36 “Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.”

Here is a quote from those responsible for the final change of the Sabbath to Sunday and even they know that these two first day of the week scriptures are not a new day of worship. Note also that they know that 1 Corinthians 16:2 was laying aside goods for charity that would not be done on Sabbath but the first day after.

THE DAYS OF THE WEEK: MANY LANGUAGES, ONE GOD, MANY PEOPLE, ONE 'SPIRITUAL' NATION/BODY/KINGDOM/FAMILY!!! THROUGH THE ONE SAVIOR!!

Language	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th Day Name
Shemitic Hebrew Bible world-wide	Day One	Day Second	Day Third	Day Fourth	Day Fifth	Day the Sixth	Yom hash-shab-bath Day the Sabbath
Hebrew (Ancient and Modern)	One into the Sabbath	Second into the Sabbath	Third into the Sabbath	Fourth into the Sabbath	Fifth into the Sabbath	Eve of Holy Sabbath	Shab-bath
Chaldee Syriac Kurdistan and Urdmia, Persia	One into Sabbath	Two into Sabbath	Three into Sabbath	Four into Sabbath	Five into Sabbath	Eve (of Sabbath)	Shap-ta
Ancient Syriac Each day proceeds on and belongs to the Sabbath	One into Sabbath	Two into Sabbath	Three into Sabbath	Four into Sabbath	Five into Sabbath	Eve (of Sabbath)	Shab-ba-tho
Babylonian (Written lang. 3800 B.C.) Euphrates & Tigris Valleys Mesopotamia	First	Second	Third	Fourth	Fifth	Sixth	Sa-ba-tu
Samaritan (Old Hebrew Letters) Nablus, Palestine	Day One	Day Second	Day Third	Day Fourth	Day Fifth	Day Sixth	Shab-bath
Coptic / Egypt (Dead lang. for 200 years)	The First Day	The 2nd Day	The 3rd Day	The 4th Day	The 5th Day	The 6th Day	pi sabbaton The Sabbath
Arabic (Ancient and Modern) West Asia, E,W & N Africa	The One	The Two	The Three	The Four	The Fifth	Assembly (day, Muham)	as-sabt The Sabbath
Urdu or Hindustani (2 day names) (Muhammadan and Hindu, India)	One to Sabbath Sunday	2nd to Sabbath Moon-day	3rd to Sabbath Mars	4th to Sabbath Mercury	5th to Sabbath (Eve of Juma)	Assembly (day)	shamba - Sabbath sanichar - Saturn
English (Pagan names)	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Latin	dies Solis	dies Lunae	dies Martis	dies Mercurĭi	dies Jovis	dies Venĕris	dies Saturni
Latin (Italy)	dominica	feria secunda	feria tertia	feria quarta	feria quinta	feria sexta	Sabbatum
Greek							Sabbaton
French	dimanche	lundi	mardi	mercredi	jeudi	vendredi	Samedi Sabbath day
Italian	domenica	lunedì	martedì	mercoledì	giovedì	venerdì	Sabbato
German	sonntag	montag	dienstag	mittwoch	donnerstag	freitag	Samstag
Spanish	domingo	lunes	martes	miércoles	jueves	viernes	Sábado
Russian	voskresenye	ponedelnik	vtornik	sreda	chetverg	pyatnitsa	Subbota
Portuguese	domingo	segunda-feira	terça-feira	quarta-feira	quinta-feira	sexta-feira	Sabbado
Polish	niedziela	poniedzialek	wtorek	środa	czwartek	Piątek	Sobota

BAPTISM AND SALVATION

IS WATER baptism essential to salvation?

What is the proper form, or mode -- sprinkling, pouring or immersion?

Should babies and children be baptized? Suppose you were baptized by a minister you have since lost confidence in. Should you be baptized over again?

Suppose you were baptized "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost [Spirit]." Should you be baptized again "in the name of Jesus" only?

Should one be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or only "after a six months' probation"? Must the ordinance be performed by an ordained minister?

WE ARE saved by GRACE, and through FAITH -- make no mistake about that; but -- there are conditions!

And millions are being deceived, misled into thinking they are saved, when they are not!

People have been taught, falsely, that "Christ completed the Plan of Salvation on the Cross" -- when actually it was only begun there. The popular denominations have taught, "Just BELIEVE -- that's all there is to it; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you are that instant saved!"

That teaching is false! And because of deception -- because the TRUE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ has been all but blotted out, lo these 1900 years by the preaching of a false gospel about the Person of Christ -- and often a false Christ at that -- millions today WORSHIP CHRIST -- and all in vain! "In vain do they worship me," said Jesus, "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7: 6-9).

Man is mortal. Man has no immortality inherent within himself. Christ Jesus, only, of all men who have lived, has immortality (I Tim. 6:16). The penalty of sin is DEATH -- the second, or eternal, death, from which there will be no resurrection. And ALL have sinned and come under this sentence. Only GOD has eternal life inherent in Himself (John 5:26) -- only GOD has eternal life to give. And as the Father has life in -- inherent in -- Himself, so has He given to the Son, Christ, to have immortal life inherent within Himself. And through Christ, God gives it to us (I John 5:11-12) -- and whoever has not Christ has not eternal life. Eternal life is a GIFT no man has until he receives it as GOD'S GIFT (Rom. 6:23).

The BLOOD of Christ does not finally save any man. The death of Christ merely paid the penalty of sin in our stead -- it wipes the slate clean of past sins -- it saves us merely from the DEATH PENALTY -- it removes that which separated us from God and reconciles us to God.

But we are SAVED -- that is, given immortal life -- by Christ's LIFE, not by His death (Rom. 5:10). Christ is a living Saviour! He is not dead -- He rose from the dead! We could never be saved by His blood alone, if He had not risen from the dead (I Cor. 15:17-18).

We are mortal, without immortal life inherent in us, under penalty of eternal DEATH from sin -- unless saved. To be saved, we must be born of God, who is a Spirit. We were born of human parents, and therefore we are human -- flesh -- dust -- of the earth, earthy (John 3:3, 6; Gen. 2:7; 3:19; I Cor. 15:47-49). To be born of God, we must, first, now in this life, receive the impregnating LIFE -- the Holy Spirit -- from God. We are then merely begotten, spiritually -- comparing to an unborn human babe still in its mother's womb -- not yet really BORN. We then become merely HEIRS of the Kingdom -- not yet inheritors.

Becoming converted means being CHANGED. When one receives the Holy Spirit of God, his whole viewpoint, his outlook, his purposes, goals, ways of thought -- everything -- becomes CHANGED! It is a renewing of the MIND -- the Spirit of a sound mind. But he is as yet merely begotten. And, as the unborn babe must be fed, through the mother, and must develop and grow physically before it can be born, so the converted human, now spiritually begotten, must be fed on the spiritual food of GOD'S WORD, and must GROW SPIRITUALLY -- must grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ as He reveals His knowledge through His Word (II Peter 3:18). He must OVERCOME the down-pull of his human nature and achieve self-discipline. He must learn PATIENCE, must grow in LOVE, FAITH, and UNDERSTANDING. He must do the WORKS of Christ; and, in this spiritual growth -- this life of active service -- he must ENDURE persecutions and afflictions and trials UNTO THE END.

It is only those who, during this Christian Spirit-begotten life, have grown in knowledge and grace, have overcome, have developed spiritually, done the works of Christ, and endured unto the end, who shall finally be given IMMORTALITY -- finally changed from mortal to IMMORTAL at the time of the second coming of Christ (I Cor. 15:53-54).

So, being, as we say, converted -- receiving the Holy Spirit of God -- is merely the beginning! Then begins a lifetime of LIVING under the GOVERNMENT OF GOD -- by God's laws which express His will, instead of by self-will and desire.

A PERSON IS NOT EVEN BEGOTTEN OF GOD UNLESS HE IS CHRIST'S (I John 5:12). AND HE IS NOT CHRIST'S UNLESS HE HAS RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT (Rom. 8:9). One is not even converted -- spiritually begotten- -not even STARTED on the way to final salvation, unless and until he RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM GOD! The question, then -- how to make the first BEGINNING of becoming a Christian -- how to START on the Christian life -- which leads to eternal life -- is how to thus be CHANGED and receive God's Holy Spirit!
 

"What Shall We Do?"

Notice the very beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). Jesus said, "REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel." The very first words He proclaimed, at the very beginning of His Gospel, were to command the TWO CONDITIONS to becoming a Christian: REPENTANCE, and FAITH. Those are the two things we must do! Repentance is toward GOD. Faith is toward Christ. Repentance means to quit sinning, and sin is the transgression of God's spiritual LAW -- so repentance means to begin living according to God's Commandments! And Jesus said "believe the GOSPEL." And the GOSPEL is the Good News of the Kingdom of God -- which means GOVERNMENT of God, and government means obedience to LAWS, in this case God's laws, which express the will of God -- government by the WILL OF GOD, no longer by human self-will!

After Jesus had completed His earthly ministry, had paid the penalty of your sins, had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost.

Thousands were in Jerusalem for this festival. When the Spirit of God came upon -- and into -- the disciples that morning, thousands came in awe and wonder at the majestic spectacle. Peter then preached the first inspired sermon of this Christian dispensation. Thousands were convicted in their hearts. They realized their lost condition. They realized Christ was indeed Messiah -- SAVIOUR!

"What shall we do?" they cried out to Peter and the disciples. "HOW SHALL WE BE SAVED?"

Peter was now inspired. The answer came straight and direct! "REPENT"! shouted the inspired Peter in great power, "AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"! (Acts 2:38.)

There are the conditions -- JUST TWO -- the same as Jesus gave them at the very beginning of His Gospel -- REPENT, and BELIEVE! For one cannot be rightly baptized except he believe (Acts 8:37).  

 

Baptism is an ordinance symbolizing FAITH in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Once these conditions are complied with, God stands bound by a PROMISE to put within the repentant believer HIS SPIRIT -- which means His LOVE, faith, understanding, gentleness and goodness, power, etc. -- His attitude of mind -- the Spirit of a sound mind -- His very LIFE -- the impregnation and begettal of eternal life, and the very character of God! The HOLY SPIRIT in one CHANGES one!

"For the PROMISE is unto you, and to your children ... even as many as the Lord our God shall call" 

(Acts 2:39).

WATER BAPTISM, THEN, IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE WAY OF SALVATION!

Jesus' Example!

Jesus in all things set us an example, that we should follow His steps. He was the example for Christian living for the individual, and also the living example for His called ministers (I Peter 2:21).

Jesus, though He had committed no sins to be remitted, was baptized, setting the example for us. You'll read of it in Matthew 3:13-17. In being baptized, Jesus was immersed in water (not sprinkled or poured upon) because "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water." Immediately the Spirit of God descended upon Him, in this case visibly, and a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God help us, that by His help, power, and grace, we may be enabled to live such overcoming lives that He may finally say the same of us!

 

Meaning of "In the Name of Jesus Christ"

Jesus also set the example for ministers. 
Did you know that Jesus baptized more disciples than John the Baptist?

Listen: "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized .... When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples) ... " (John 3:22 and 4:1-2).

There is an important meaning here. Actually Jesus did not do the physical work of baptizing these people Himself -- He had His disciples do it for Him! And what they did, by His authority and command, is attributed to Him! So it was considered as if Jesus Himself had baptized them.

Here is a most important truth. His disciples did the baptizing IN HIS NAME -- that is, in His stead -- they did it for Him, by His authority -- and that was considered just the same as if Jesus had actually done it Himself! 

In fact, the Holy Spirit actually inspired the direct statement that Jesus baptized more disciples than John. When, at His direction, and by His authority, His chosen disciples, chosen by Him, did it for Him, it is considered that JESUS did the baptizing. He did it, in other words, by and through His disciples!

To ask for anything in prayer, or to do or perform anything, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, is to ask or do it BY HIS AUTHORITY. It is to act for Him. To do it for Him, in His stead. It is acting as if by power of attorney to act FOR Him. It implies He has delegated that authority to us. And indeed He has! For we are commanded to do all things IN THE NAME OF CHRIST!

 

Jesus Commanded Baptism

Keep in mind the clear picture of the true GOSPEL. The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Message which GOD SENT to the world, and Christ was the divine Messenger who brought and proclaimed it. It was not primarily a Message about Himself, but about the Kingdom -- the GOVERNMENT -- of God. Jesus devoted three-and-a-half years to teaching this Message to His twelve apostles.

After His resurrection, Jesus gave them the final GOSPEL COMMISSION for this age, and in it He commanded baptism as an obligatory ordinance for this Gospel dispensation:

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach THE GOSPEL" (the Message God sent and Christ proclaimed) "TO EVERY CREATURE. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Note these points: The GOSPEL to be preached was not the present-day message ABOUT the Person of Christ, but the Message He brought and preached -- the Good News of the GOVERNMENT of God. What is it necessary to BELIEVE to be saved? That which is preached -- the GOSPEL! When even the preachers today do away with God's LAW, and therefore the government (Kingdom) of God -- for there can be no government without law -- they deny that which must be believed to be saved -- and their followers cannot be saved, but are deceived! And, also, it is "he that is baptized" that shall be saved. It's part of the divine Commission -- a required ordinance for salvation!

Notice Matthew's version of the Great Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... " surely the disciples were to teach these nations that which Jesus had taught them -- the Message God had sent Him to deliver and proclaim to the world -- the Good News of the government of God -- a Message that has not been preached for 1800 years or more! "... Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20).

Here again, in the final Great Commission for preaching the Gospel in this age, Christ commanded BAPTISM. And here He specifically stated "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]."

 

In Name of Jesus Only

Since some today are being baptized over again "in the name of Jesus ONLY" in order to eliminate the Father, and the Holy Spirit, this should be considered here. The contention of these people is that this passage in Matthew 28:19 is the only place in the Bible where the names of the Father and the Holy Spirit are commanded. They argue that a thing must be established "in the mouth of two or more witnesses," and since they claim there is but this one witness to this command, it must be rejected. All other passages mention only the name of Jesus.

The explanation is that two or more witnesses are required only in the case of HUMAN testimony -- where one accuses another. That instruction does not apply to the divine Witness, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and to assume it does is surely close to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! On the contrary, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ...." And, THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN! If you can break, disprove, reject, or throw out this one scripture, you can reject all the rest!

In this passage, the word translated "in" should properly be translated "into." The meaning, then, is that repentant believers are baptized INTO God the Father, and into Christ the Son, and into the Holy Spirit. But the one who plunges the new believer under the water performs the act IN THE NAME OF -- that is, by authority of, JESUS CHRIST. Why? Because Jesus said "ALL POWER" -- and that includes all authority -- "is given unto me in heaven and in earth." He has ALL authority! Either we do it by His authority, or else we are doing it without any authority.

 

New Testament Ordinance

The apostles understood this as a divine Commission and Command. They carried it out. They always baptized repentant believers.

The first inspired sermon after the Holy Spirit came to convert Peter and the apostles was mentioned above. Peter commanded all to repent, and to be baptized.

And "they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them ... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:5, 12).

Some, who do not believe in water baptism, may say this baptism was not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. But later, when the apostles sent Peter and John down to these people at Samaria, they, "when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (verses 15-16).

None of them had been as yet baptized with the Holy Spirit -- yet they already were baptized. Since they had not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, obviously they had been baptized in water.
 

Baptism Definitely Commanded

As Peter preached the first inspired sermon after the coming of the Holy Spirit, and commanded baptism -- to the Jews in Jerusalem, so God sent Peter also to first preach the Gospel to the Gentiles ten years later. It was at the house of a very devout Gentile, Cornelius. But devout though he was, he did not understand -- did not have saving KNOWLEDGE. He knew no better than to fall down at Peter's feet and worship him, a mere man. God had sent Peter to instruct him.

Peter preached to Cornelius' family, "The word which God sent" -- the Message God sent by Jesus Christ as Messenger. And "while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word" (Acts 10:44). In verse 45 it is termed "the gift of the Holy Spirit." The word "ALSO" indicates the same "baptism" with the Holy Spirit as Peter and the apostles had received. In Acts 11:15-17 it is plainly described as the SAME "baptism" with the Holy Spirit the apostles had received. Now these had received the "baptism" with the Spirit.

"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid WATER, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:46-48).

Here is a definite inspired COMMAND to be baptized in WATER.

 
Immersion, Sprinkling, or Pouring?

As in all other points of doctrine, the churches today are in utmost confusion -- some practicing pouring, some sprinkling, some immersing. Some say it makes no difference. Those who sprinkle usually apply it to children.

The word "baptize" is not an English word. It is a Greek word. The New Testament was written in the Greek language. In translating it into English, the translators left this Greek word untranslated. Literally, in the Greek, the word is "baptizo". The definition of this word is "IMMERSE." It means to plunge into, put into, dip. It does not mean "to sprinkle" or "to pour." The Greek word for "sprinkle" is "rantidzo", and "to pour" is "cheo" in Greek. The Holy Spirit did not inspire the use of these words, but baptizo, meaning IMMERSE, PUT INTO.

Therefore sprinkling or pouring IS NOT BAPTIZING! When one understands the meaning of the words inspired, it is silly to talk about "which form or mode of baptizing shall we use -- sprinkling, pouring, or immersing?" It is as ridiculous as to ask which form of IMMERSING shall we use -- sprinkling, pouring, or immersing? Or as to ask "which form or mode of skiing shall we use -- swimming, ice-skating, or skiing?" Swimming and ice-skating are not skiing. Sprinkling and pouring are not baptizing.

John baptized around about Aenon near Jerusalem, "because there was much water there" (John 3:23). He would have needed only a cupful to sprinkle, or a pitcherful to pour -- but baptizing required "MUCH WATER" in a river. Also this verse indicates John baptized the subject with much water, not by pouring a cupful of water on the subject.

Jesus set us an example -- there was no other purpose in His baptism -- and He was put down into the water, for He went up OUT OF the water. Both Philip and the eunuch went down INTO the water (Acts 8:38). There was no reason whatever for Philip to go actually into the water, except for the reason there was no other way he could plunge the eunuch INTO the river. They came up out of the water (verse 39).

 

The Meaning of Baptism

Baptism is a BURIAL, and a RISING from a grave. Notice Colossians 2:12. "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." Neither sprinkling nor pouring is a burial, and one rises up out of neither. They do not picture the symbolic meaning of baptism, and therefore are meaningless.

When one is plunged INTO the water, he is in a watery grave. He would not live ten minutes unless brought up out of the water -- unless RISEN from this watery grave. Therefore a person immersed in water is in a literal grave.

Notice further: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Rom. 6:3-5).

There is the beautiful symbolism -- the real meaning of baptism. It pictures, in symbol, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

But it is a DUAL picture, as all things in God's Plan are DUAL in operation. It also pictures the crucifixion of the old self (verses 6-7), or of the sinning life, the burial of this sinning self, and the coming up out of this watery grave, symbolic of a CHANGED person resurrected to a new, righteous, spiritual life in Christ Jesus.

Going down into the water pictures the DEATH of Christ, and of the old self.

Burial in the water pictures the BURIAL of Christ, and of the old self.

Coming up out of the water pictures Christ's RESURRECTION, and a spiritually resurrected person walking henceforth "in newness of life."

Water baptism is the ordinance ordained of Christ by which we express our FAITH in Christ as Saviour -- our ACCEPTANCE of His death, burial, and resurrection for us, and our repentance of the old life and burial of it, rising to new and higher life henceforth. It is a beautiful ordinance, full of meaning!

 

Not Baptized Into a Denomination

Notice carefully, too -- we are "BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST" (verse 3, above), or, as Jesus expressed it in Matthew 28:19, into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- NOT INTO SOME CHURCH ORGANIZATION OR DENOMINATION.

In many sectarian churches today the minister will refuse to baptize one except into his church -- his group or organization of human beings. That is not proper baptism. We are to be baptized into the DIVINE FAMILY -- the family of God. And it is to be done "in the name" -- by the authority -- of Jesus Christ.

Baptism has degenerated in many churches into a rite or ceremony of entrance into the fellowship of that sectarian organization -- nothing more than a rite by which one joins a lodge or social club!

Note well these facts: One may "join" a lodge, social club, or organized group of MEN (and most churches today have degenerated into social societies). But ONE CANNOT JOIN THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD! You cannot GET in of your own accord! No, GOD MUST PUT YOU IN -- no man can do it -- you cannot do it yourself!

How does one gain entrance into the true CHURCH? "By ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into [PUT INTO] one body" -- the Body of Christ, the true Church of God. "Baptize" means "PUT INTO." When we receive the Holy Spirit of God to change us -- to make us as new creatures in Christ -- it is the impregnation of eternal LIFE from God. It is the very life-germ from God the FATHER. It is the Spirit of sonship whereby we become HIS CHILDREN, and may call Him "FATHER" (Rom. 8:14-15). The CHURCH OF GOD is the Household of God- -composed of GOD'S CHILDREN. We do not become His children until begotten of Him -- until we receive His Spirit -- His Nature -- His Life. When we receive His Spirit, therefore, we are automatically PUT INTO His family -- HIS CHURCH! Joining one of the social clubs called churches does not put one into GOD'S Church!

Now water baptism is a required CONDITION to receiving the Holy Spirit. At Samaria, and again at Ephesus, they did not receive the Holy Spirit until after they were baptized in water (Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-6). True, at Cornelius' house they did receive the Holy Spirit, and thereby were baptized BY the Spirit into the CHURCH before water baptism -- but Peter immediately commanded water baptism. This was a rare exception to the rule.

BUT THERE IS NO PROMISE THAT ANYONE WILL RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT UNTIL BAPTIZED IN WATER -- even though God in His wisdom and love may on rare occasions make an exception. The command is, "Repent, and be baptized" -- and THEN "ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

 

How Long Should We Wait?

This brings us to the question -- how soon must we be baptized?

One or two denominations insist it be put off until the candidate has PROVED HIMSELF -- has proved he has the Holy Spirit and is living a righteous spiritual life -- or has come to certain spiritual KNOWLEDGE. One denomination will not baptize people until they come to "see" and accept God's LAW, and many of this denomination's doctrines, and usually there is a six-months' probation period.

Paul says God's Law "IS SPIRITUAL," and that the carnal (unconverted) mind is not subject to the Law and CANNOT be (Rom. 7:14 and 8:7). The order of God is: 1st) preach the Gospel, leading to a conviction of sin in the hearts of those God calls, leading to REPENTANCE and FAITH in Christ; 2nd) BAPTISM; and 3rd) they shall receive the HOLY SPIRIT, which renews their minds, teaches them, reveals spiritual truth. Since one cannot spiritually understand God's spiritual Law or spiritual things UNTIL he receives the Holy Spirit, and he must be baptized before he has a promise of the Holy Spirit, he should be baptized first. EVERYONE knows he has sinned, and lived contrary to God's will, though he may not have spiritual understanding of God's will. God can grant repentance to a carnal mind before the conversion of that mind. One does not need a spiritual college education in Bible knowledge to repent and be baptized into Christ. Jesus' order of events was, 1st) PREACH THE GOSPEL, 2nd) BAPTIZE repentant believers, 3rd) TEACH THEM THE COMMANDMENTS (Matt. 28:19-20).

Therefore, how long should baptism be put off? The answer is, just as soon as one has been convicted in his heart of his past sins and sinful life -- just as soon as one realizes his own way of life has been WRONG, and becomes sick and tired of it, and turns from his own ways and wants to find GOD'S WAYS and live them, truly REPENTS of his past life of sins, and BELIEVES in and ACCEPTS Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, and the One whom he must obey henceforth, and WANTS TO TURN TO THE CHANGED, DIFFERENT, NEW AND HAPPY LIFE OF FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS, and to become a child of God -- then that person should be baptized IMMEDIATELY if possible -- and if this is not possible, then AS SOON as a true servant of God is available to perform the baptism.

 

Baptism Should Never Be Delayed

It might be neglected until too late! In every case recounted in the New Testament, repentant believers were baptized IMMEDIATELY.

On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 were baptized THAT SAME DAY. Philip baptized the eunuch AT ONCE. God sent Ananias to baptize Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, the apostle. Immediately on meeting him, Ananias said: "And now WHY TARRIEST THOU? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Paul baptized the Philippian jailer and those in his house "the same hour of the night" -- and it was after midnight (Acts 16:33). They did not even wait until daylight!

 

Should Children Be Baptized?

One cannot be baptized until after he has fully REPENTED. Only those who BELIEVE, both the true GOSPEL (the Message Jesus preached, which is the Kingdom, or Government of God) and on JESUS CHRIST as personal Saviour, can be baptized (see Acts 2:38; 8:37; 16:31).

Children have not reached that maturity where they have the self-discipline to truly repent, and believe. I am thinking of instances in which children, 8 to 12 years old, were baptized by others against my objections and protests, and without exception, those children soon became more unruly, more disobedient, more sinful, than before.

When some Samaritans repented at Philip's preaching, "they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12). Only the adults were mature enough to be ready for baptism.

The average mind does not mature until about age 25 -- though there are often exceptions. Some few mature and become sober and serious in life outlook by 16, or on rare occasions, even younger.

An immature mind may experience an emotional feeling of temporary remorse, and this may be falsely construed as REPENTANCE when it is only momentary, soon forgotten. It is like "puppy-love." How many teenagers, 13 to 17, have a number of temporary emotional experiences of feeling sure they are "in love." Of course they themselves feel sure of it, and cannot be talked out of it. Usually they grow out of it, but in rare cases, of course, they may really "know their minds" -- though this is the rare exception, not the rule. So with repentance and belief.

The child who is baptized may be ever so serious about it at the time. But when that child grows older, he or she undergoes an entirely new experience in life -- comes under "teen-age" influences which are quite different today than one or two generations ago -- must meet many temptations peculiar to energetic, dynamic, restless, excitement-craving youth in the blooming flower of sex- appeal. Experience shows not one in perhaps a hundred can be truly "converted" prior to this age and REMAIN converted, and constantly GROWING SPIRITUALLY, closer and closer to Christ and His Kingdom, through these trying years.

There can be no set rule about the proper age for baptism. It is almost impossible to be ABSOLUTELY SURE about young people under 21 or 25 -- and especially under 18 -- and unless POSITIVELY SURE that such a one has really repented of self-will, self-desire, and the ways of this world, such a one should be encouraged to live according to God's Word, but refrain from baptism until SURE. John the Baptist insisted on candidates bringing forth "fruits meet for repentance" -- or PROVING their repentance by THE FRUITS in their lives.

Youngsters should let a few years of such fruits PROVE their repentance and permanent sincerity and earnestness. Adults should be baptized IMMEDIATELY, or as soon as possible, on real repentance and faith.

Where NECESSITY prevents immediate baptism, in such cases, God understands and makes allowance. But avoid all unnecessary delay.

Must Baptism Be Administered Only by Ordained Ministers?

Finally, who is authorized to administer baptism? Must the repentant believer be baptized ONLY by an ordained minister? How much depends upon the goodness, or belief, or spirituality of the man who performs the ordinance?

First, let us look to the example of Jesus; next, to the instructions of Christ; and then, to the teaching and practice in the early New Testament Church.

Was Jesus Himself an "ordained minister" -- that is, ordained and approved by one of the popular denominations around Him? No, He was despised and rejected of them -- opposed, persecuted, belittled as a non-conformist. And He baptized more disciples than John. Even John was not recognized, ordained, or sponsored in any way by any popular group or church. He was in their sight a rank outsider.

Actually, as pointed out earlier, Jesus Himself immersed no one with His own physical hands -- His disciples did it for Him, by His authority. And right there is the point which answers the whole question. The one qualified to do the immersing must always perform it IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST -- which means by His authority, acting for Christ as His disciple.

The principle is that IT IS CHRIST WHO IS BAPTIZING YOU. The man who puts you under the water is merely performing this physical act for Christ, in His stead. You are not to look to the human man, further than to conscientiously try to go to one you honestly feel is a man of God, called of Christ, and used of Him in the work of His true Church. And if later he turns the wrong way, your salvation does not depend on that man or any other mortal man, BUT SOLELY UPON CHRIST! There is no cause to be baptized again by another man.

Always there is the chance that you may be deceived in the man you believe qualified to act for Christ in the act of baptism. If it depended upon this man, you would have to have divine powers of reading minds and hearts to be sure. You might have to be immersed fifty times before you could be absolutely sure of the man who did it -- and even then you could be mistaken. Just be as careful as you can, as God gives you to see, in the man who acts for Christ in baptizing you -- and then DO NOT LOOK AT THE MAN -- LOOK AT CHRIST -- consider that it is CHRIST who is baptizing you, by and through a human instrument. And even if the instrument turns out to be imperfect, remember all humans are imperfect, and it was done for, and in the name of the only One who ever was perfect. And since it was in reality done BY CHRIST, it should never be done over by another.

 

Who Should Baptize?

Now back to the example of Christ. In His own earthly ministry, He had this immersing performed for Him by His disciples. At that time they were not even converted -- had not yet received the Holy Spirit- -for the Holy Spirit was not yet given (John 7:39) because Jesus had not yet ascended to heaven to send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7), which first came to enter within and convert these disciples on the day of Pentecost.

Peter was their leader, and even after this baptizing, Peter denied Jesus three times. If you had been baptized by Peter in Christ's name, would you, on learning of his denial of Jesus, be baptized over again?

These men, who baptized for Jesus when He was with them in person, were not ordained ministers -- were not recognized by any popular church -- were merely STUDENTS of Jesus at the time, being taught, not yet prepared to be sent out as His apostles and His ministers. And the indications are they were young men, perhaps not yet old enough to be made preachers or evangelists. They were not perfect, not even converted (Luke 22:32).

Consider now Christ's teaching. Those who go forth teaching, or preaching, His Gospel (most popular denominations preach a different gospel) are the ones He commanded and commissioned to do the baptizing (Matt. 28:19-20).

Consider the example of the inspired early Church. Philip was not an apostle, or a regular minister, but merely a deacon commissioned by the Church only to perform physical acts, such as waiting on tables (Acts 6:2-5). Yet he went down to Samaria and preached Christ and His Kingdom, and the people who believed were baptized (Acts 8:5-6, 12). The text does not even state that Philip did the baptizing -- he may have had some of his new converts do it.

If you study the New Testament on the point, you will see it does not appear to attach great importance as to which man puts the believer under the water, since it is considered by the one baptized that CHRIST does it. The Holy Spirit sent Philip later to baptize the eunuch (Acts 8:26-39).

However, notice that the one performing the baptism ceremony was a representative (though not necessarily an ordained minister) of the true Church of God in every New Testament case. This was the Church Jesus founded (Matthew 16:18).

 

Paul Baptized Few

Consider, finally, Paul's example and teaching.

The Corinthian Church was having a contention as to which man they would follow. At Corinth some wanted to follow Paul and start a church with him at the head -- others wanted to follow Peter; others, Apollos.

"Is Christ divided?" asked Paul of them (I Cor. 1:13). "Was PAUL crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (I Cor. 1: 13-17).

Notice, PAUL BAPTIZED VERY FEW. He had others -- perhaps among them a few lay members who were not ordained ministers at all -- do it for Christ. He was the called minister by whom Christ carried the Gospel to the Gentiles -- through whom CHRIST as head of the Church ruled the churches which had been raised up by the preaching of Paul and the young men he taught and sent out under his direction. Paul did not consider it important or essential that he, personally, baptize all those being converted under the ministry God carried on through his supervision. "Christ sent me not to baptize," he said. Paul had other ordained ministers and helpers do the baptizing for him -- UNDER HIS DIRECTION.

As in the days of Paul, there is danger lest people get to looking too much to the person or the human instrument God is using, INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE TRUE CHURCH OF GOD.

And so, as Paul did, we today sometimes have other consecrated and dedicated non-ordained men do the baptizing. It is done IN THE NAME OF CHRIST -- it is really CHRIST doing it, through human instrumentality. A man does it merely as a servant, or instrument of Christ -- just as performing a service, never to his own credit or glory or honor.

THE RESURRECTION WASN'T ON SUNDAY: DO WE BELIEVE JESUS? OR MAN [TRADITIONS]? COUNTERFIETS OF SATAN?

Was Jesus three days and three nights in the grave, as He said in Matthew 12:40?

Can you figure three days and three nights between sunset "Good Friday" and sunrise Easter Sunday?


It is commonly supposed today that Jesus was crucified on Friday, and that the resurrection occurred about sunrise on Easter Sunday morning.


Few professing Christians have ever thought to question or to prove this "Good-Friday-Easter" tradition.


Yet the Bible tells us to prove (test) all things. And you will be literally astounded by this proof.

For proof there is but one dependable authority, a sole historical record -- the Bible.

Tradition No Proof

There were no eye-witnesses to the resurrection. Even so-called "apostolic fathers" had no source of information save that record which is today available to us -- the biblical revelation.

Any tradition, then, which conflicts with God's revelation must be dismissed.

What are the recorded facts? The doubting Pharisees were asking Jesus for a sign -- supernatural evidence
-- in proof of His Messiahship.

Jesus answered: "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas [Jonah] was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth" (Matt. 12:39-
40).


Now consider, please, the tremendous import -- the overwhelming significance -- of Jesus' statement.

He expressly declared that the only sign He would give to prove He was the Messiah was that He should be just three days and three nights in the rock-hewn sepulcher in "the heart of the earth."

The Significance of the Sign

These Christ-rejecting Pharisees demanded proof. Jesus offered but one evidence. That evidence was not the fact of the resurrection itself. It was the length of time He would repose in His grave, before being resurrected.

Think what this means! Jesus staked His claim to being your Saviour and mine upon remaining exactly three days and three nights in the tomb. If He remained just three days and three nights inside the earth, He would prove Himself the Saviour -- if He failed in this sign, He must be rejected as an impostor!


No wonder Satan has caused unbelievers to scoff at the story of Jonah and the "whale"! No wonder the devil has set up a tradition that denies Jesus is the Messiah!


The Dilemma of the Higher Critics


This one and only supernatural PROOF ever given by Jesus for His Messiahship has greatly bothered the commentators and the higher critics. Their attempts to explain away this sole proof for Christ's divinity (deity) are ludicrous in the extreme.

For explain this away they must, or their "Good-Friday-Easter" tradition collapses.

One commentator says, "Of course we know that Jesus was actually in the tomb only half as long as He thought He would be!" Some expositors impose upon our credulity to the extent of asking us to believe that "in the Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, the expression 'three days and three
nights' means three periods, either of day or of night."


Jesus, they say, was placed in the tomb shortly before sunset Friday, and rose at sunrise Sunday morning - - two nights and one day.

The Bible Definition [OF A DAY--OF '3 DAYS-3 NIGHTS]

But the Bible definition of the duration of "nights and days" is simple.






Friday at Sunset until Sunday at Sunrise--includes Saturday night portion, Saturday day portion,and Sunday night portion or 2 nights, 1 day.

Even these same higher critics admit that in the Hebrew language, in which the book of Jonah was written, the expression "three days and three nights" means a period of 72 hours -- three twelve-hour days and three twelve-hour nights.

Notice Jonah 1:17: "And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." This, they admit, was a period of 72 hours. And Jesus distinctly said that AS Jonah was three days and three nights in the great fish's belly, so He would be the same length of time in His grave.

As Jonah was in the "grave" (see marginal reference, Jonah 2:2) 72 hours, after which he was supernaturally resurrected by God, by being vomited up, to become a saviour to the people of Nineveh upon proclaiming the warning to them, so should Jesus be 72 hours in His grave, thereupon being resurrected by God to become the Saviour of the world.


Did Jesus know how much time was in a "day" and in a "night"? Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day ... but if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth" (John 11:9-10).


Notice the Bible definition of the expression, "the third day." Text after text tells us that Jesus rose the third day. Notice how the Bible defines the time required to fulfill "the third day."


In Genesis 1:4 God "divided the light from darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening [darkness] and the morning [light] were the first day .... And the evening [darkness] and the morning [light] were the second day .... And the evening [now three periods of darkness called night -- three nights] and the morning [now three periods of light called day -- three days] were the third day" (Gen. 1:4-13).

Here we have the only Bible definition which explains and counts up the amount of time involved in the expression "the third day." It includes three dark periods called "night," and three light periods called "day" -- three days and three nights, and Jesus said they contained twelve hours for each period -- a total of 72 hours.


That ought to be conclusive! Any seven-year-old, near the end of the second grade, could figure it easily.


What Is Wrong?


What is wrong with these plain, simple words of Jesus? How do these wise and prudent theologians know Jesus was crucified "Good Friday" and rose "Easter Sunday"?


The simple answer is, they do not know it -- for it is not true! It is merely tradition, a tradition we have been taught from childhood and carelessly assumed! Jesus warns against "making the word of God of none effect through your tradition" (Mark 7:13).
We have examined two scriptural witnesses, in Matthew and in Jonah, both setting the duration of the body of Jesus in the tomb as three days and three nights, which the Scriptures plainly define as 72 hours of time.

 Now let us examine four other scriptural witnesses that prove the same thing.


Notice Mark 8:31. "And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and AFTER three days rise again." (Any young second grader can figure this.)

Examine this text carefully.

You cannot, by any process of arithmetic, figure any less than a full 72 hours -- three days and three nights -- in a resurrection which occurred three days after the crucifixion.

If Jesus was in the grave only from Friday sunset to Sunday sunrise, then this text too, must be torn out of your Bible or else you must reject Jesus Christ as an impostor! If He rose after three days, it might have been more than 72 hours, but it could not have been a second less.


Notice now Mark 9:31. "... They shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day." The duration expressed here must be between 48 and 72 hours. It could not be one second past 72 hours, and Jesus still rise the third day. And it could not be Friday sunset to Sunday sunrise, because that it only 36 hours, carrying us into the middle of the second day, after He was killed.


In Matthew 27:63 Jesus is quoted as saying, "After three days I will rise again." This cannot possibly be figured as less than 72 full hours.

And in John 2:19-21, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and IN three days I will raise it up .... But he spake of the temple of his body." To be raised up IN three days after being destroyed, or crucified and buried, could not be more than 72 hours.


If we are to accept all the testimony of the Bible, we must conclude that Jesus was exactly three days and three nights -- three full 24-hour days -- 72 hours in the grave, or the only supernatural proof He gave must fail.


The Time of Day of Resurrection

Now notice carefully this fact: In order to be three days and three nights -- exactly 72 hours -- in the tomb, our Lord had to be resurrected at exactly the same time of day that His body was buried in the tomb.

Let us realize that very vital fact. If we can find the time of day of the burial, then we have found the time of day of the resurrection. If the burial, for instance, were at sunrise, then for the body to be left an even three days and three nights in the tomb, the resurrection likewise had to occur at sunrise, three days later.

If the burial were at noon, the resurrection was at noon. If the burial were at sunset, the resurrection was at sunset, three days later.

The crucifixion day was called "the preparation," or day before "the sabbath" (Matt. 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). This day ended at sunset, according to Bible reckoning (Lev. 23:32).

Jesus cried out soon after "the ninth hour" or three o'clock in the afternoon (Matt. 27:46-50; Mark 15:34-37; Luke 23:44-46).


Mechanical or electronic clocks did not exist in ancient times, however the people of Bible History still measured the time of day by "hours." The equivalent term for hour is first found recorded in the Scriptures in the book of Daniel, and later, in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, "Are there not twelve hours in the day?" (John 11:9 KJV).

Hours Of The Day
The term "hour" referred to a period of time, one-twelfth of the daylight part of the day. While daylight is longer in summer than in winter, and therefore summer "hours" were longer than winter "hours," as a general rule the first hour was equivalent to 6 to 7 am on a modern-day clock, and so on:

The first hour = 6 to 7 am
The second hour = 7 to 8 am
The third hour = 8 to 9 am
The fourth hour = 9 to 10 am
The fifth hour = 10 to 11 am
The sixth hour = 11 am to 12 pm
The seventh hour = 12 to 1 pm
The eighth hour = 1 to 2 pm
The ninth hour = 2 to 3 pm
The tenth hour = 3 to 4 pm
The eleventh hour = 4 to 5 pm
The twelfth hour = 5 to 6 pm

Yet Jesus was buried before this same day ended -- before sunset (Matt. 27:57; Luke 23:52-54; John 19:42). John adds, "There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day." According to the laws observed by the Jews all dead bodies must be buried before the beginning of a Sabbath or feast day.

 Hence Jesus was buried before sunset on the same day He died. He died shortly after 3 p.m.


Therefore -- notice carefully -- the burial of Christ's body was in the late afternoon! It was between 3 p.m. and sunset as these scriptures prove.

And since the resurrection had to occur at the same time of day, three days later, the resurrection of Christ occurred, not at sunrise, but in the late afternoon, near sunset. Startling as this fact may be, it is the plain Bible truth!


If Jesus rose at any other time of day, He could not have been three days and three nights in His grave. If He rose at any other time of day, He failed to prove, by the only sign He gave that He was the true Messiah,the Son of the living Creator. Either He rose near the END of a day near sunset, or else He is not the Christ! He staked His claim on that one and only sign.


So a time-honored tradition must be shattered.

What Sabbath Followed the Crucifixion?

Now we come to an objection some may raise, yet the very point which proves this truth. Perhaps you have noticed that the Scriptures say the day after the crucifixion was a Sabbath. Hence, for centuries, people have blindly assumed the crucifixion was on Friday.


Now we have shown by all four Gospels that the crucifixion day was called "the preparation." The preparation day for the Sabbath. But for what Sabbath?

John's Gospel gives the definite answer: "It was the Passover--the preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread."

"For that Sabbath day was an High Day" (John 19:14, 31) Just what is a "high day"? Ask any Jew! He will tell you it is one of the annual Holy Days, or feast days The Israelites observed seven of these every year -- every one called a Sabbath! Annual Sabbaths fall on certain annual calendar dates, and on different days
of the week in different years, just like the Roman holidays now observed.

These Sabbaths might fall on Monday, on Thursday, or on Sunday.

If you will notice the following texts, you will see these annual holy days were all called Sabbath days: Leviticus 16:31; 23:24, 26-32, 39.

Notice Matthew 26:2: "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." And if you will follow through this chapter you will see that Jesus was crucified on the Passover!


And what was the Passover? In the twelfth chapter of Exodus you will find the story of the original Passover.

The children of Israel killed the lambs, and struck the blood over the doorposts and on the side posts of their houses, and wherever the blood had thus been applied the death angel passed over that house, sparing it from death. [Following the Passover was annual observance given by God, Who always knew the True Passover for mankind. The Passover begins the Feast Seasons for the 7 Annual Sabbaths (Holy Days of God)].

Observe the dates: "And in the fourteenth day of the first month is THE PASSOVER of the Lord. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the FEAST [THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD]" (Num. 28:16-17).

The Passover lamb, killed every year on the 14th of the first month called "Abib," was a type of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Christ is our Passover, sacrificed for us (I Cor.5:7).

Jesus was slain on the very same day the Passover had been slain every year. He was crucified on the 14th of Abib, the first Hebrew month of the year. And this day, the Passover, was the day before -- and the preparation for -- the Feast day, or annual high day Sabbath, which occurred on the 15th of Abib. This Sabbath might occur on any day of the week. Frequently it occurs, and is observed even today, on Thursday.

For instance, this "high-day" Sabbath came on Thursday in 1972, 1975, 1979, and will occur on Thursday in 1982, 1986 and 1989.

And the Hebrew calendar shows that in the year Jesus was crucified, the 14th of Abib, Passover day, the day Jesus was crucified, was Wednesday. And the annual Sabbath was Thursday. This was the Sabbath that drew on as Joseph of Arimathea hastened to bury the body of Jesus late that Wednesday afternoon.

There were two separate Sabbaths that week!

What Day Was the Resurrection?

Now which day of the week was the resurrection day? The first investigators, Mary Magdalene and her companions, came to the sepulcher on the first day of the week (Sunday) very early, while it was yet dark, as the sun was beginning to rise, at dawn (Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20: 1).

Now here are the texts most people have supposed stated the resurrection was at sunrise Sunday morning. But they do not say that!

When the women arrived, the tomb was already open! At that time Sunday morning while it was yet dark, Jesus was not there! Notice how the angel says, "He is not here, but is risen" (see Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6;Matt. 28:5-6).

Jesus was already risen at sunset Sunday morning! Of course He was. He rose from the grave in the late afternoon, near sunset (on Saturday)!

And since we know Christ was buried late Wednesday afternoon, and that the resurrection took place at the same time of day three days later, we now know the resurrection of Christ occurred late Saturday afternoon.

The Sabbath day ended at sunset. It was late on that day, before the beginning of the first day of the week.

It was not, then, a Sunday resurrection at all. It was a Sabbath resurrection!
BURIED JUST BEFORE SUNDOWN THE 4TH DAY (WEDNESDAY) AND ROSE JUST BEFORE SUNDOWN THE 7TH DAY (SATURDAY)

Did Christ Fulfill His Sign?

Now all this is based on the supposition that Jesus did fulfill His only sign of being three days and three nights in the grave. All our evidence is based on the claims of Jesus before His crucifixion. But some of the higher critics and doctors of divinity tell us that Jesus made a mistake -- that He was only in the tomb half as long as He expected to be. Let us have proof as to whether He did spend the exact amount of time in the grave He said He would.


Notice that in Matthew 28:6, the angel of the Lord gives this testimony, which we now present as evidence.

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said." And He certainly did not rise AS He said unless He rose at the precise TIME that He had said! So we have the proof of the angel of the Lord, recorded in the sacred Word of God that Jesus did fulfill His sign -- He was three days and three nights in the earth -- He did rise Sabbath afternoon, and not on Sunday morning.


Another proof that Christ was in the grave the full length of time He expected to be is found in I Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."


His death and burial were according to the Scriptures -- not contrary to them.

The third day following His Wednesday burial was the Sabbath; three full days spent in the grave ended Saturday afternoon just prior to sunset, not Sunday morning.


Which Day Was the Crucifixion?

Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, the middle day of the week. He died shortly after 3 p.m. that afternoon; was buried JUST before sunset Wednesday. Now count the three days and three nights. His body was [NIGHT COMES FIRST] Thursday night (beg. at Wed sun down) Friday night and Saturday night in the grave -- three nights. It also was there through the daylight part of Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- three days. He rose Saturday the Sabbath -- late afternoon, JUST before sunset, at the same time of day that He was buried!

It is significant that in Daniel's prophecy of the "seventy weeks" (Dan. 9:24-27), Jesus was to be cut off "in the midst of the week." While this prophecy has the application of a day for a year, so that this 70th week became a literal seven years, Christ being "cut off" after three-and-a-half years' ministry, as He was,
yet it is significant that He was also "cut off" on the middle day of a literal week.

Honest Objections Examined

Someone is sure to notice Mark 16:9, thinking this text says the resurrection was upon Sunday. But if you read the whole sentence, it does not say that at all. The expression "was risen" is in the perfect tense.

What was Jesus' condition early the first day of the week? Does it say He "was rising" or that He "did rise" from the grave? No, early the first day of the week, at the time He appeared to Mary Magdalene, He was risen. Of course He was! He had risen the late afternoon before, so naturally He was risen Sunday morning.

The text does not in any way refute the other texts we have given.

Another passage that might confuse is Luke 24:21: "... And beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done." "These things" included all the events pertaining to the resurrection -- the seizing of Jesus, delivering Him to be tried, the actual crucifixion, and, finally, the setting of the seal and the watch over the tomb the following day, or Thursday. Study verses 18-20, telling of "these things" and also Matthew 27:62-66. "These things" were not completed until the watch was set, Thursday. And the text says Sunday was the third day since these things were done.

Sunday truly was the third day since Thursday.

But it was not the third day since Friday, so this text could not prove a Friday crucifixion.

There is yet one final clinching proof of this truth. A vital text proving that there were two Sabbaths in that week has been obscured by almost every translation into English. Only Ferrar Fenton's version hasthis point correct.

Turn to Matthew 28:1. In the common versions it says, "In the end of the Sabbath," or more correctly, "after the Sabbath." Notice that both of these renderings use the singular -- Sabbath. But in the original Greek the word is in the plural. Fenton renders it correctly by saying, "After the SABBATHS," although the remaining part of the verse he has not translated quite correctly. In a footnote to this text, he says, "The Greek original is in the plural, 'Sabbaths.'"

According to Mark 16:1, Mary Magdalene and her companions did not buy their spices to anoint the body of Jesus until after the Sabbath was past. They could not prepare them until after this -- yet after preparing the spices they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment! (Luke 23:56.)

Study these two texts carefully. There is only one possible explanation: After the annual high-day Sabbath, the feast day of the days of Unleavened Bread -- which was Thursday -- these women purchased and prepared their spices on Friday, and then they rested on the weekly Sabbath, Saturday, according to the
commandment (Ex. 20:8-11).

A comparison of these two texts proves there were TWO Sabbaths that week, with a day in between. Otherwise, these texts contradict themselves.

For proof of the pagan origin of such long-cherished days as Easter and Christmas, [send us an e-mail @ truheatrecords@hotmail.com or leave a comment ] The shocking truth is that nowhere can you find sanctions for those two holidays in the Bible. It is time we discovered the source of our religious beliefs and find out whether we ought to observe them.

GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD A PLAN, EVEN BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE FIRST MAN. THIS IS WHY JACOB, THE "PHYSICAL" AND "SPIRITUAL" SEEDS OF ABRAHAM ARE NOT [YET] CONSUMED, BECAUSE GOD'S WITNESS THROUGH HIS WORD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. 

AND THAT PLAN ALWAYS INCLUDED THE MESSIAH, COMING TO BE THE PASSOVER, THE SIN OFFERING FOR THE WORLD. SO THAT MAN COULD BE REDEEMED BACK TO THEIR GOD, THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS NEVER DID IT. 

GOD SHOWS US THIS WAS ALWAYS THE CASE WHEN HE FIRST GAVE THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM [ISAAC AND JACOB], HIS HOLY DAYS, THE SABBATH AND HIS LAWS.

CHRIST IS THE ONLY BREAD [UNLEAVENED--W/O SIN] FROM HEAVEN, LET HIM LEAD THE WAY. AS THE PHYSICAL BREAD 'MANNA' TAUGHT THE ISRAELITES TO AGAIN KEEP THE SABBATH [REMEMBER AND KEEP IT]!!!!

IF WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE ONLY 'SIGN' THE MESSIAH GAVE: THREE DAYS, THREE NIGHTS. DO WE BELIEVE IN HIM? IN THE WORD OF GOD?
OR ARE WE 'ANTI' "AGAINST"
CHRIST?

LIKEWISE IF WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE ONLY SIGN GOD GAVE: THE 7TH DAY SABBATH. DO WE BELIEVE IN HIM? IN GOD'S WORD [ALONE]?

THE TRUHEAT SHOW: WITH TRUHEAT AND SPECIAL GUEST EPISODE 4

THE LAW OF GOD VS. THE LAW OF MOSES

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Written by God on stone
EXO. 31:18  And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.


EXO. 32:16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Written by Moses in a book

2 CHRON. 35:12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Called "the Royal law"

JAMES 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

THE LAW OF MOSES

Called "Law contained in ordinances"

EPH. 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Called "the Law of the Lord"

ISA. 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Called "the law of Moses"

LUKE 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.


SO INDEED WE KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT A GOD OF CONFUSION, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN TWO LAWS REFERENCED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

IN OLD TESTAMENT GOD SAID THAT "HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NOT BE ABOLISHED" AND THEN JESUS CHRIST SAID THAT "HE DID NOT COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS"

THE LAW OF MOSES

Placed in the side of the ark

DEUT. 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Placed inside the ark

EXO. 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

And THE TEMPLE OF GOD WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN, and there was seen IN HIS TEMPLE THE ARK OF HIS TESTAMENT: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Revelation 11:19)

THE LAW OF MOSES

Ended at the cross

2 TIM 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, WHO HAS ABOLISHED DEATH AND BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT through the gospel,

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Will stand forever

LUKE 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Added because of sin

GAL. 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Points out sin

ROM. 7:7 What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust (covetness), except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 

ROM. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Contrary to us, against us

COL. 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Not grievous

1 JOHN 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Judges no man

COL. 2:14-16 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(see posts on what was abolished, what is required and more about Col 2:16)

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Judges all men

JAM. 2:10-12 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Carnal LAW

HEB. 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Spiritual LAW

ROM. 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

THE LAW OF MOSES

Made nothing perfect

HEB. 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

THE LAW OF GOD 

(THE 10 COMMANDMENTS)

Perfect

PSALMS 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple


THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD'S SABBATHS AND THE SABBATHS CONTAINED IN THE LAW OF MOSES

And as Isaiah said before: "Unless THE LORD OF SABAOTH had left us a seed, We would have become like Sodom, And we would have been made like Gomorrah." (Romans 9:29 NKJ)

Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and THE CRIES of the reapers HAVE REACHED THE EARS OF THE LORD OF SABAOTH. (James 5:4 NKJ)

Sabbath of the Lord

1.Spoken by God personally
(Exodus 20:1, 8-11)
2.Written in stone by God Himself
(Exodus 31:18)
3.Put inside the Ark of the Covenant
(Deuteronomy 10:5)
4.Was made at creation
(Genesis 2:1-3)
5.Was established before sin
(Genesis 2:1-3)
6.Breaking the Sabbath is sin
(1 John 3:4)
7.It is a law of love
(Matthew 22:35-40, Isaiah 58:13-14)
8.It is a law of liberty (freedom)
(James 1:25, 2:10-12)
9.The Sabbath is for everyone
(Mark 2:27, Hebrews 4:9-10)
10.God calls it MY Sabbath
(Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:20)
11.The Sabbath is eternal
(Exodus 31:16-17, Isaiah 66:22-23)

Ceremonial Sabbaths

1.Spoken by Moses
(Exodus 24:3)
2.Written by Moses hand on paper
(Exodus 24:4)
3.Stored on the outside of the Ark
(Deuteronomy 31:26)
4.Were made after Sinai
(Exodus 20:24)
5.Were established after sin
(Exodus 20:24)
6.These were kept because of sin
(until the Seed...Galatians 3:19; def of 'sin'..1 JOHN 3:4)
7.They were not love
(Colossians 2:14, Galatians 4:9-10)
8.They were bondage
(Galatians 4:9-10, Colossians 2:14)
9.Only for the children of Israel & Jews
(until the Seed...Galatians 3:19)
10.God calls them HER sabbaths
(Hosea 2:11, Lamentations 1:7)
11.Were nailed to the cross
(Colossians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15)


NOW LET'S LOOK AT SCRIPTURE, WITH CERTAIN UNDERSTANDING IT SHOULD BE MUCH CLEARER: WHEN THE LAW OF MOSES IS BEING REFERENCED AND WHEN THE LAW OF GOD IS BEING SPOKEN OF!!!!

The Moral Law

(The Ten Commandments)

1. First spoken by God Himself. Exodus 20:1,22.   
2. Written by God’s finger. Exodus 31:18; 32:16.
3. First written on stones. Exodus 31:18.
4. Handed by God its writer to Moses. Exodus 31:18.
5. Deposited by Moses “in the ark.” Deuteronomy 10:5.
6. Deals with moral precepts. Exodus 20:3-17.
7. Reveals sin. Romans 7:7.
8. Breaking of “the law” is “sin.” 1 John 3:4.
9. Should “keep the whole law.” James 2:10.
10. Because we “shall be judged” by this law. James 2:12.
11. The Christian who keeps this law is “blessed in his deed.” James 1:25.
12. “The perfect law of liberty.” James 1:25. (Cf. James 2:12)
13. Paul said, “I delight in the law of God.” Romans 7:22. (Cf. verse 7)
14. Established by faith in Christ. Romans 3:31.
15. Christ was to “magnify the law and make it honorable.” Isaiah 42:21.

The Ceremonial Law
(A temporary Jewish law)

1. Spoken by Moses. Exodus 24:3.
2. Written by Moses. Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 31:9.
3. In a book. Exodus 24:3, 7; Deuteronomy 31:24.
4. Handed by Moses its writer to Levites. Deuteronomy 31:25-26.
5. Deposited by the Levites “by the side of the ark.” Deuteronomy 31:26, ARV.
6. Deals with ceremonial, ritual matters.
(See parts of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).
7. Prescribes offerings for sins. (See parts of Leviticus)
8. No sin in breaking, for now “abolished.” Ephesians 2:15.
(Where no law is, there is no transgression. Romans 4:15)
9. Apostles gave “no such commandment” to “keep the law.” Acts 15:24.
10. Not to be judged by it. Colossians 2:16.
11. The Christian who keeps this law is not blessed.
(See for example, Galatians 5:1-6)
12. The Christian who keeps this law loses his liberty. Galatians 5:1, 3.
13. Paul called this law a “yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1; Galatians 4:3, 9. (See Acts 15:10)
14. Abolished by Christ. Ephesians 2:15.
15. Blotted “out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us.” Colossians 2:14.

I know that WHATEVER GOD DOES, IT SHALL BE FOREVER. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet YOU BRING ADDED WRATH ON ISRAEL BY PROFANING THE SABBATH." (Nehemiah 13:18 NKJ)

An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. IN EVERY PLACE WHERE I RECORD MY NAME I WILL COME TO YOU, AND I WILL BLESS YOU. (Exodus 20:24 NKJ)

then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary,  and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and HE SHALL MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE PRIESTS AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE ASSEMBLY. (Leviticus 16:33 NKJ)

And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland, from the mountains and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, BRINGING SACRIFICES OF PRAISE TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. (Jeremiah 17:26 NKJ)

you also, as living stones, are being built up A SPIRITUAL HOUSE, a holy priesthood, to OFFER UP SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. (1 Peter 2:5 NKJ)