10 Reasons Why We Water Baptize In Jesus Name

Ten Reasons Why We Water Baptize In Jesus Name

1.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has instructed us to... (Matt 28:19)

2.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because there is no other name that can save us...(Acts 4:12)

3.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has the name above every name...(Phil 2:9)

4.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because for the remission of sins...(Acts 2:38)

5.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because there is miracle working power in his name...(Acts 3:6)

6.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because it is a commandment of God...(Acts 10:48)

7.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because we take on his name as a bride takes on her husbands name...(2 Corinthians 11:2)

8.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because it is proven to be biblically RIGHT...

(Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19)

9.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because he has all power and authority in heaven and earth...(Matthew 28:18)

10.) We baptize in the name of Jesus Christ because we Love Jesus...! 

(John 14:15)

Authored by: John W. Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

There is Power in Unity

United We Stand.

 I am sure most of us are familiar with the phrase, United we stand and Divided we fall. This phrase has been used in mottos from nations, states, and songs. The concept is, that unless the people are united as one, then it will be easy to destroy them.

This is also in direct contrast to another phrase, Divide and Conquer, which is a combination of military, political, and economic strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into smaller concentrations of power making it less difficult to conquer.

The idea of being a united people and standing, or being divided and falling has it root in the Bible.

Mark 3:22-26
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

As you can see from Jesus' own words there is Power in unity!

Psalm 133:1-3 
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: That went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For the LORD commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.

David is telling us how precious it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. He compared unity to the holy anointing oil that was poured upon Aaron , the first priest, and which anointed the tabernacle.

We can also find that Unity was an absolute necessity of the Apostles and their work for the Lord.

Acts 1:12-14
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olive, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women , and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

There is POWER in Unity!

Matthew 18:18-20
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 
20 for where two or three are gathered together in my name. there I am in the midst of them. 

Acts 2:1-4 
1 When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them
4 And they were all filled the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Ghost comes in Unity!

Acts 2:46-47
46 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,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

There is Revival in Unity!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to help him up.
11 again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

There is Strength in Unity!

Romans 12:16-19
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The Apostles lived in unity, and they instruct us to do the same.
Let's endeavor as a Church to live in unity, so we can Win Our World For Christ!

Created by: Sis. Brittany Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

What books will be open?

"And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). In order to avoid spending a eternity in hell, your name will have to be written in the Book of Life. The Bible explains how the Book of Life is used on Judgement Day.

What is the book of life? According to Wikiapedia, "In Christianity and Judaism, the Book of Life is the book in which God records the names of every person who is destined for Heaven or the World to Come."

A bold instruction from God we should complete while on earth is to, "... Repent, 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 Ghost" (Acts 2:38).

What should we do after these steps? "Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure. If you keep doing this, you will never fall away. 11 Then you will also be given the wealth of entering into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2:Peter 1:10-11). Live your life on earth for God. Give God the glory in all of your works. Spread the gospel and keep His commandments.

What books will be open?

Word of God: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). God has given us a blue print to live by while on earth and it is called the Bible (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). If we follow them, we will go to heaven. If we disobey them, we will go to hell. 

Thoughts: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Romans 2:15-16). Our hearts will tell us one thing and our mind will tell us another. Even though these thoughts are kept within us, God still knows them. Let the Holy Ghost help you purify your thoughts.

Words: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). Every word that we speak will be judge. Regardless if the words are at work, home or in church. God knows every word we speak. Make sure the words you choose are pleasing to God.

Book of Life: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:" (Revelation 20-12a). We all have a life on earth and it is up to us on how we live it.

Gospel: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). Spread the news of the Gospel. The people who believe in Christ will be baptized. It is our freewill.

Works: "and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20-12b). All of the works we complete on earth should be used to glorify God. 

Those who are written in the Book of Life are those who kept Gods commandments. If that includes you, then you'll be in the first resurrection and rule the earth with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 15:2; 20:4-6). The choice is yours to make.

Created by: Jocelyn Jones

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Life

The Lurking Lion

1 Peter 5:8-9

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world".

Have you ever watched how lions stalk their prey? It's amazing, they are extremely patient, waiting in the brush or high grass. Watching. Sometimes they will sit in the high grass for hours, picking out which calf would be the easiest to attack. I witnessed this form of hunting from the window of my apartment one day.

 It was the neighborhood stray cat, I watched as he climbed up a tree and crept slowly on its branches. There was no doubt in my mind what he was up to, the constant chirping of birds seated above him had caught his attention and he looked like he could be a little hungry. The birds had no idea of the lurking danger, they just carried on about their day flying in and out feeding their chicks and building their nest. I watched for over a period of 30 minutes as the cat sat low and hunched down on a branch almost as if he was lounging, yet his focus would shift periodically toward the chirping birds. He was waiting for the right opportunity. I didn't wait around to witness his attack, for lack of time, but I surely took some notes on his stalking technique and it was quite biblical in explanation. 

We should not be ignorant of the wiles of the devil nor his devices. He has tactics that can be spotted by the spiritual eye, which is why we should always stay in tune with the leading of the Holy Ghost. The bible says that the things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned, they cannot be discerned by the carnal mind, we must seek the mind of God to stay relevant in this spiritual battle.

The Apostle Peter gave us two keys to spot out the devil.

Soberness: The state of being clearheaded, levelheaded, or not drunk.

With our adversary the devil walking about, we cannot afford to be caught off guard. The sober mind is the avenue the Holy Ghost will work through, he will bring discernment. The mind that is not sober is unfit for warfare and will easily become a prisoner of war. The cares of this world, neglecting spiritual disciplines, or riotous living will render you weak and vulnerable which is the type of prey the "Lion" seeks after. Satan cannot contend against the sober minded saint. 

Vigilance: Watchfulness, to be awake, or to give strict attention.

We must keep watchful for possible dangers or difficulties. The vigilant saint cannot be caught off guard, this proactive approach is designed to anticipate all attacks. The word of God already gives us warning that our enemy is seeking whom he may devour, so we must be on the lookout not only for ourselves but for those around us. Paul exhorted the elders of the church in Ephesus to. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood". 1 Timothy 4:16

This "taking heed" or "being attentive to" was what the Elders or overseers were to do while feeding the flock, as Pastors over God's flock Elders are to be vigilant enough to perceive the attacks of satan.

"Be Sober, Be Vigilant". While we are out grazing, enjoying the abundant life that the Lord has given us, be mindful that as long as we are on this earth our adversary is seeking to kill, steal, and destroy. We should endeavor to shun all distractions that destroy our inhibitions and cloud our spiritual vision. Take a look at the picture of the lurking Lion, this is a reality for us. You are the Water buffalo in that picture! Satan is quite literally walking about, watching and waiting, he does not sleep. Use these two keys in your warfare against him, satan cannot catch nor contend with an obedient and spirit filled saint.       

Authored by: 

MIT. John W. Jenkins

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church  

   

Don't Give Up What God Has Given To You.

Matthew 13:44-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had, and bought it".

The kingdom of heaven is most precious. We, the Church are the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven comes in without observance. It comes in unaware, for the kingdom of heaven is within you! (Luke17:20-21).  We are God's Kingdom, we have received his Spirit. The Holy Ghost, we are the temple of God.

We have found the hidden treasure, we have received the Pearl of Great Price.

Jesus purchased this Pearl for us with his own blood, he purchased our very lives. By giving up his earthly, natural body he has freely given us this great treasure, this wonderful gift. The Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Gift of Eternal Life.

  Jesus has given his church 9 gifts of the Spirit.

      1. The gift of Wisdom

      2. The gift of Knowledge

      3. The gift of Faith 

      4. The gift of Miracles

      5. The gift of Healing

      6. The gift of Discerning Spirits 

      7. The gift of Prophecy

      8. The gift of Tongues

      9. The gift of Interpretation of Tongues

"Don't Give Up What God Has Given You"

The Word Of God Warns Us!
"What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul"?  Mark 8:36-37

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God, and he will give us what we need in this life. (Matthew 6:33)

Be not deceived by the world, by fame and worldly popularity. Don't be envious when the people of the world have new houses, new cars, or expensive clothes. Don't envy the rich man's riches, for they shall pass away. They can not buy what Jesus has given to us, not with all the money in the world!

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus was visiting with his friends; Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. As Jesus began to teach, Mary sat at his feet and listened to his words.

But Martha, though she also loved Jesus, made herself busy by preparing a meal for Jesus and their other friends, and when Martha saw Mary at the feet of Jesus, she went and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the meal.

Jesus spoke to Martha and said: Martha, Martha you are troubled about many things ( the cares of the world) but Mary has chosen what is better, and it shall not be taken away from her. Hallelujah!!!

Mary chose Jesus. She chose the treasure that is hid from the world. She wanted the pearl of great price. Mary chose the Kingdom of God.

Mary chose the good part!

Friends, choose the Good Part! Choose Jesus!!


Created by: Sis. Brittany Jenkins
Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

The White Throne Judgement

The Great White Throne Judgment is a trial, set in the future, for all people who have rejected God's call to salvation. Every person who has lived upon earth and has refused to accept God's way to redemption from sin, will kneel before their Creator at this time, and acknowledge that He is God--that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Who will not inherit the Kingdom of God?

1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Who will not enter into the Kingdom of God?

Revelation 21:27 Nothing unclean, no one who does anything detestable, and no liars will ever enter it. Only those whose names are written in the lamb’s Book of Life will enter it.

The Book of Life is a record written by God before the creation of the world, listing people who will live forever in the kingdom of heaven. It contains the names of God's elect. They will experience no condemnation or judgment. They are not among the dead, for they are alive.

Our physical actions may appear to be good works to those around us, but our thoughts in our minds and the feelings in our hearts are seen by God. 

Proverbs 12:22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord, but honest people are his delight.

Mark 7: 21 Evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, cheating, shameless lust, envy, cursing, arrogance, and foolishness come from within a person. 23 All these evils come from within and make a person unclean.”

Matthew 5:28 But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart.

1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates another believer is a murderer, and you know that a murderer doesn’t have eternal life.

What will appear at the White Throne judgement?

Revelation 20:11-15 I saw a large, white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, but no place was found for them. 12 I saw the dead, both important and unimportant people, standing in front of the throne. Books were opened, including the Book of Life. The dead were judged on the basis of what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead. Death and hell gave up their dead. People were judged based on what they had done.14 Death and hell were thrown into the fiery lake. (The fiery lake is the second death.) 15 Those whose names were not found in the Book of Life were thrown into the fiery lake.

The "dead, small and great" refers to those who have lived throughout history and, regardless of their stature or position, died without acknowledging and accepting The Lord Jesus' payment for their sins. All remains of these deceased will be raised and united with their souls so that they can stand in a resurrected form before the Great White Throne. After death, the soul continues to exist. Before the resurrection, the soul of the believer is in the presence of God awaiting eternal reward. The soul of the unbeliever is in hades awaiting final judgment.

During our time on earth we have a choice! You can either be a child of the God or a child of the devil! 

1 John 3:8 The person who lives a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has been committing sin since the beginning. The reason that the Son of God appeared was to destroy what the devil does. 9 Those who have been born from God don’t live sinful lives. What God has said lives in them, and they can’t live sinful lives. They have been born from God. 10 This is the way God’s children are distinguished from the devil’s children. Everyone who doesn’t do what is right or love other believers isn’t God’s child.

We were all sinners! There is a choice that can be made while their is breath in our bodies! 

1 Corinthians 6:9 Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit the kingdom of God? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, 10 or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit the kingdom of God. 11 That’s what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God’s approval in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

There is no neutral area. There is right and wrong, there is life and death and there are blessings and curses. While God has created us in His own image and loves us all the same, He also gave us all a free will. With that free will, we each have to decide whether to choose God and eternal life with Him, or we turn our back to Him and choose eternity in The Lake of Fire. As parents, we love our children unconditionally, yet as they grow into adulthood, we cannot choose their path in life (even as much as we might sometimes like to). And that is the same way we all are as God’s children. He yearns and aches for us to choose Him, but He will not force us to.

On judgement day will you be innocent or guilty? Will your name be in the Book of Life or will you be cast into The Lake of Fire?

Created by:
Sis. Jocelyn Jones
Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

The Half-Hearted Effort

Persistent Faith

by C. A. Brewer

A popular gospel song from the past states, "Prayer is the key to Heaven, but faith unlocks the door." While there is certainly truth in these words, something else could be added.  It is not feeble faith or wavering faith that opens the way into the presence of God.  It is bold, persistent faith that makes the difference.  It is often knocking at the door over and over until the answer arrives.

     Persistent faith is like the widow petitioning the unjust judge day after day until he became bone weary of her coming.  Unrelenting faith is like Elijah on top of Carmel praying "until"---until his servant saw the cloud the size of a man's hand, the portent of a mighty downpour on a desperately dry land.  Importunate faith is like the man who went to his friend's at midnight and pounded on the door until he received the three loaves he needed.

     Motivational speakers of our day often encourage their listeners to persistently believe in themselves, instructing them, "You can do anything you want to do." The truth, however, lies not in what we want to do on our own.  It lies in what we will believe God to do in and through us.  Jesus said, "If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20).

A half-hearted effort will never bring the complete victory God plans for His people.

Those who seek to know God for the value of the relationship itself, who obey His Word in good times and bad, usually develop a passion for God that casual observers can never understand.  That passion compels them to follow the voice of God even when He demands things that seem pointless or unnecessary.  It is as if they, like Jeremiah, have a fire burning inside that demands to be freed and they can shout with the prophet, "But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not" (Jeremiah 20:9, NKJV).  That passion forces entrance into a realm where service and obedience become passageways into holy places not accessible by humanly constructive means.

Our half-hearted ways not only effect us, but they effect others in the body who depend on each member to move in the same direction.. We must strive to have more then temporary gains and victories as a body due to those who may not be as whole hearted as you.  It is obvious in the result how much passion was used during the process.  How strong is your passion for the up building of God's kingdom? 

"And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice" (II Kings 13:19).

We can stay focused on the task at hand and refuse to give up.  Life offers little too those unwilling to struggle.  God's promises do not apply to those who will not fight to receive them.  Steadfastness and determination are essential for every Christian's success.

God hates bland disinterest.  "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). A passionless believer simply going through the motions may be blessed because of God's covenant with his fathers, but he will have no spiritual heritage to pass on to his own children.  At best his victories, like Joash's, will be temporary pauses in the enemy's march to total authority.  Every believer should earnestly pursue a passionate relationship with God.

Authored by: Sis. Joy Jones

Last Days Ministries Apostolic Church

References: Davis, Richard. Lessons from History for Christian Living. Spring 2013 Hazelwood: Word Aflame Publications, 2013. 42-44. Print.