Zion Pentecost Mission

Sep
24

2026

Romans8,1-2: No Condemnation In Christ Jesus

August 18, 2026
In Christ: Fellowship Union With Jesus By Personally Faithful Adult Baptism

"26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Galatians3,26-27 NIV

"1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Romans8,1-2 NIV

To Hear And Obey The Word Is To Understand It And Protect The Seed Of Your Salvation
"19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times."
Matthew13,19-23. NIV

Dispensation Of Condemnation- Not Justification- Via The Mosaic Law
"how much more will be the ministry of the Spirit occur in glory! 9 For if it is glorious to administer condemnation, to administer saving justice is far richer in glory." 2Corinthians3,8-9 NJB

We Demolish The Stronghold Of Condemnation
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2Corinthians10,3-5 NIV

Seek And Maintain Clean and Solid Conscience To Avoid Condemnation
"There is also an anti-type which now saves us- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer [or pledge] of a clean conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."1Peter3,21 NKJ
A solid conscience is informed by the living WORD of God and the Holy Spirit of God and obeying the two principle ordinances of the Lord- personally faithful adult full immersion baptism and celebrating a biblically based Lord's Supper.

A Solid Conscience Also Requires Us To Be Friend Of Jesus Rather Than The World

"a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James4,4 NKJ

I am preaching on Romans8,1-2 today. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." NIV

Romans8,1 is one of the most liberating and comforting bits of our salvation doctrine- no condemnation. Seems almost too good to be true! But it is a very specific promise of God's Word and it is true through the new law of the Spirit that comes by way of merciful grace unto personal faith and the infilling of the Spirit of God, aka the new law of the Spirit. https://zionpentecostmission.com/accept-the-word-unto-living-interior-law.html

It is also one of the most well known victorious gospel themes of our faith. It's a joyful phrase that rolls right out of our mouths: no condemnation in Christ Jesus! It gives great confidence- to the strong and the weak alike.

But the flip side of the matter- and the fact is- condemnation not only describes the old law of sin and death- it can be one of the the most paralyzing and debilitating strongholds, spiritual hang-ups, among God's people even devoted people. (cf The highly gifted Max Lucado welll defines strongholds as "old difficult, discouraging challenges." (https://maxlucado.com/strongholds/)

The stronghold of condemnation might even tempt us to go backward from the new freedom of the new law of the Spirit that Romans8,2 promises. The newly born church in Galatia almost went backward from freedom toward legalism regarding circumcision for non jews: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians5,1

Likewise, Galatians3,1-2: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" KJ

The bible at 2Corinthians10,3-5 calls such hangups "strongholds" (see above introductory scriptures). Each of us- believers, non believers, even good Christians- folks in ministry, friends we love, people in our immediate families, even a spouse, might have a spiritual hang up, or two. Like exagerated, unrighteous, scattershot anger, like all manner of addictions, or other mental blocks like prejuidice against other races and ethnicities.

These spiritual hang ups inhibit our daily lives and also our ability to spread the gospel.

The stronghold of condemnation hinders believers and keeps us from growing in our faith. This condemnation might be headed by a principle demon and then a cluster of related demons. But in Jesus' Name and with the mighty power of Holy Ghost- we can all get delivered of them. https://zionpentecostmission.com/deliverance-now-407.html

It is in these vulnerable 'hang up' areas of life- we tend to internalize condemnation and its related negative emotions and traits- moodiness, depression, lack of self worth, low affect, in other words a general negativity vibe. These emotional and spiritual realities often heap up in a person's life if we don't let Jesus take us aside and begin to heal them. https://zionpentecostmission.com/let-jesus-take-us-aside.html

One bible commentator aptly labels a faith that can't realize its goal of justification before God, like that of the Mosaic Law, ends up- according to 2Corinthians3,8-9- administering the "dispensation of condemnation." J. Fitzmayer. JBC 1990 Romans, 852 (some NT bibles here use the word administration).

This negative spiritual internalization of condemnation can itself also become spiritual bondage- a sort of re-living the old law of sin and death even in the guise any religion that hasn't moved from primarily exterior law to the principle of the Holy Spirit living in us- by way of personal saving faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

There is No Aging Out Of Sense of Condemnation Without Born Again Faith In Jesus
As people move toward the later stages of life- you have probably noticed this yourself- for some there is a certain amount of refreshing freedom to express feelings and values- and also sometimes a willingness to look back at the blessings and challenges of life well lived.

But some- believers and non believers- seem to have become so used to the stronghold of condemnation- its accumulated confusion, fear and worry and shame and accusations- that they take too much comfort in their accumulated possessions (cf rich fool Luke12,13-21)- and neglect this sense of condemnation and their sins and fail to bring thewm to Jesus at the cross- at every opportune moment- of their lives regardless of our age.

And not many of us believers perhaps have ever been trained in the discipleship practice of living the new law of the Spirit- letting the Word and the Spirit guide our actions.

But praise God Romans8,2 tells us that the law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death. So, we must be mindful and committed as Christians to protecting our salvation, heeding the Word, understanding the Word, and living a born again faith, that spreads the gospel to all.

Moreover, it is in these very areas of the spiritual bondage of condemnation that the new law of the Spirit (Romans 8,2) needs to infill and replace all that goes along with the often learned internal administration of condemnation.

This infilling establishment of the new law of the Spirit, is the new principle of our Spiritual governance, which begins upon personal saving faith. This new interior faith seed is guided and adminstered by our two biggest Advocates- Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Oh glory- Jesus and the Spirit will not rest before the full deliverance and healing of our souls- unto all the Word based benefits of our salvation including the establishment of the new law of the Spirit living and abiding in us.

The Apostle Peter knew the weight of anxiety and worry that often contribute to the stronghold of condemnation: so he advised the first Christians: to be "casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]." 1Peter5,7 Amplified Version

Jesus and the Holy Spirit will clean us up, fill us up with the Holy Ghost, put the new law of the Spirit in us and do what the old law could not- make us able to live a holy and faithful and fruitful life unto justification in God's sight and thus unto eternal salvation with him. And more to the point of our life on earth- we are also able to more freely serve Jesus here and now in this life and serve the gospel and all God's people.

But, because the stronghold of condemnation (since Adam and Eve and Cain and so on) is so universally common in all manner of religious life- and how often it is keenly felt and how detrimental to the rootedness of the faith and Spririt- the stronghold of condemnation must be dealt with- often at various stages of an individual's faith walk.

Condemnation might be perceived as a spiritual molehill in one person and a mountain in another, but in both- if left unaddressed- condemnation could become a spiritual stronghold, with several negative peaks that rob a person of the precious supernatural fellowship with others and the confidence needed for life in the Spirit and in ministry, and especially in the areas of teamwork abilities, or giving and receiving love in church, or in a family, or at work.

Spiritual Strongholds Manifest Everywhere

Spiritual strongholds like condemnation don't just manifest at Church- where hopefully they can be brought into the healing light of God's Word and Spirit.

They also might manifest in the family vacation trip in the car driving to Florida when one person sort of falls into the 'black sheep' role, becoming the butt of family jokes. https://zionpentecostmission.com/jesus-has-no-black-sheep.html

Or, this spiritual stronghold of might manifest at work where different people would rightly expect us to have gotten over various spiritual hang ups that impede teamwork or corporate advancement- or other important things God might want for us.

With a stronghold like condemnation my experience is that many people struggle with accepting the loving forgiveness and compassion of God. Firstly- because many have never experienced these from others or from God Himself. Not everybody in the world grows up in a born again Christian family! Not everyone has been a born again Christian for decades. And secondly, because administering condemnation is the way of the world- fallen folks and the lukewarm believers too are quite adept- just look at social media- at heaping condemnation and guilt and shame on people around them- as they attempt like crabs in the bucket to climb over each other.

In this worldy pattern of condemnation- watch out- even seemingly benign patterns can lead a person into condemnation, shame, and perhaps self loathing and the whole cluster of negativity that attaches around condemnation.

Condemnation Dulls The Compelling And Loving Nature Of The Gospel

As a practical matter, as we once mentioned, this stronghold also dull the compelling and loving nature of the gospel and thus inhibits our mission. And thus, we may remain unable to grow up in the faith and live and share it confidently- with God's grace like He wants.

Yes we can and rightly do go to church on Sunday for an hour or two or three- and praise God we often feel great afterwards. And we might even come back for a bible study in the middle of the week. But that doesn't mean Satan, and his dirty stronghold antichrist spirit of condemnation is going to lay down and worship Jesus and play nice with God's gospel announcing people.

It doesn't mean non Christians are going to stop spiritually weaponizing worldly condemnation against us.

But in the face of any such satanic condemnation - we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the Word of our testimony. Reveleation12,11

So we Christians must stand on the Word of Romans 8,1-2 and with the new law of the Spirit in us- to ward off the shame and the worry and fear that are so prominant in the worldly stronghold of condemnation. We must not be afraid to speak this verse out- and over folks - on behelf of others and ourselves too.

Faith Newbies May Need Repeated Prayer Over Them To Defeat The Stronghold Condemnation

Many Christians today are successfully out there spreading the gospel- preaching, teaching the Word, or leading worship- and in all the other areas of gospel-church service- and many of them were once faith newbies- and what did they often need and receive?

They already had the gifts and callings. Romans11,29 These are, praise God's generosity, eternal for all of us. What did newbies- who are now leaders- often need and receive? This is not a trick question- they needed someone both praying for them- and over them. Some people will pray for you, some will pray over you. Some can and will do both.

Zion Pentecost Mission is not a denominational mission with a denominational message. It is part of the Pentecostal movement. Christianity is first a movement of the Spirit before it moves people's souls to form a church. By faith and the Spirit of God- this movement of souls by God's grace- doesn't happen unless we act with personal faith- individually and as a group- and then let the actual Spirit of God into our lives into our buildings and our faith gatherings.

Many if not all churches say they want vibrant worship, but when the Holy Ghost vibrantly brings actual revival- and all manner of healing and deliverance and Spiritual warfare- oh my- that's not necessarily what they mean by vibrant worship.

So the Pentecostal movement, that is biblical Christianity, bibiblically sputtered in the third and fourth and fifth centuries when Christians leaders willingly emerged in the waning of the Roman empire as political leaders too and asserted the territorial hierarchy and infant baptism of non biblical Christendom.

And yes there were prophets and prayer warriors and gospel folks like Joachim di Fiore who preached about an age of the Spirit in the 12th century, the early middle ages, praise God.

In these middle ages there was also the slow building Reformation and the martyrific emergence of Protestantism- to bring the living gospel Word back into the churches. Di Fiore's prophecy and the reformers translating the Word into the spoken languages of the various peoples of Europe were great blessings and victories of the Word and the Spirit for our bible based Christian faith.

The Reformation peaked in the 16th century with the German Monk Martin Luther began to understand and preach the book of Romans- that salvation was by way of personal faith by way of God's grace. But, the new law of the Spirit never fully manifested- or never was allowed to fully manifest- and by and large non biblically sanctioned state teritorial churches, including Roman and now Protestant churches, ruled the day. The point is Luther and the many other great Reformers taught as much as they knew as their inspirations allowed- but by and large the miraculous manifestations of the day of Pentecost in about 33AD and the early Penecostal Movement did not return to Christian churches until the late 19th century.

https://zionpentecostmission.com/welcome-the-second-reformation.html

In this time the prophesies of the Prophet Joel chapter 2 came alive and many of these are described in the Book of Acts of the Apostles.

Fervant Prayer Of Righteous People- Likely Prevailed Since Pentecost
And thank God there is one practice entire Christian movement that has spanned the entire history of the church. It began right after Pentecost: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts2,42 This included praying for people for healing like Jesus did 'laying on hands.' Luke4,40 and for receiving the Holy Spirit Acts8,17 and 19,6.

Today many call this "praying over" people.

And whatever we call this personal one on one prayer- or even better with a few others- who are discreet and keep confidences too- it is a very good gospel practice. It is eminantly biblical in that Jesus' deliverances and healings deliverance and the apostles prayed with people, laid hands on them to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Acts19,6

So thank God that the history of our gospel and biblical experience of praying with and for and over people did not get lost! The names and all the heros and heroines of the Holy Sprit prayer warriors may never be fully known. But be that as it may- this Holy prayer among and with and over people has stood the test of time. And- in one form or another- it is now welcome and expected in most Christian churches. This is a great victory and step forward for all who claim to be Christians. And this fervent prayer is one of the modern demonstrated fruits of the new law of Spirit- living in millions of people who now know (after the Pentecostal movement revived on the late 19th century) that born again bible based Christians according to Acst2,36-39 have our Holy and mighty God living in us.

We know now that we are born again by the seed of God's Spirit at first profession Matthew13,19-23. We also know from the example of Jesus' adult water baptism (Matthew3,16-17) that we also receive more of God's Spirit by both personally faithful adult water baptism and then, and thereafter too, unto the promise of personally faithful the Holy Ghost baptism to all the world. Acts2,36-39.

Here's my point- and forgive me that it took too long- about believers and new believers feeling all manner of condemnation and harasssed by the stronghold of condemnation..

If you are a believer- and especially a new believer, do not be shy about asking more mature Christians to pray with you after services or before a bible study or whenever. Praying for people is great ministry- and praying for people works- to tear down and eventually to cast out all the spiritual negativity that is related to the strait jacket of condemnation- that the devil and the flesh and the world want us to wear.

Whereas Jesus fully clothes us (Galatians3,27) with all the Spiritual blessings of our saving faith!

As a new or even as a maturing believer, this need for such prayer will probably be necessary many times. It might feel like you as a new believer are being a nuisance, but think of it this way- the more you ask for this type of prayer against specific negative spiritual realities like condemnation- the sooner you and your faith will grow strong and fully healthy and mature, the sooner you will move from spiritual milk and the need for extra attention of a newbie Christian- to one who will also pray for those in need.

Church gets way easier for everybody when we drop what we think is so important and instead say "Let's pray for you!" https://zionpentecostmission.com/dear-new-believer.html

Time For Christians To Spiritually Toughen Up A Bit

But when we step out of church- we often see and ocassionally experience that the whole spirit of the modern age, is now dog eat dog. Nations trying to eat other up other nations, corporations eating up other such organizations etc etc, and whoever is the gruffest and meanest and barks and seizes the microphone and the platform and the influence- gets the bigger market share and the power.

And if we don't go along- we face condemnation.

So if we Christians are going to stay out of the mire and gospel paralysis of the world's condemnation- and all its false worldly pathways- and if we are going to avoid getting eaten up and silenced by those focused on condemning us- we best begin to toughen up a bit, grow wiser and grow some thicker faith skin so as to be ready for every good work of the gospel.

This is a very high standard and challenge that the Apostle Paul's set for his faith son and protoge Timothy!

As Paul told Timothy, who was a little wimpy, at 2Timothy3,12-17:
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

But in this sobering and gut check time for our faith we are reminded that James4,4 cautions us against compromise with the world "a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Those who befriend the world, and are running here and there gathering up and trying to consolidate all their power and treasures- and not listening to God's word or Spirit- or even human reason- not listening to us Christians and our peaceful and prophetic Word- would perhaps prefer we kept silent about the gospel and give in to the world's values.

Condemnation On The Basketball Court?

Some of the marquee players in the WNBA- thank God it's a player's league- now also face a type of mysterious condemnation of sorts- apparently for their overcoming success and popularity!

And yet their play on the court is making them heroines of the American cultural moment.

But let's keep the right and overall perspective on the game itself- because the WNBA is now showcasing an amazing never seen level of basketball! I believe that the athletic excellence of WNBA- that all the players have- will win the day.

Yes the WNBA is now full of American drama- sports and cultural drama. And I believe the league will come through this moment greatly strengthened. But yes even now- just thirty years from its founding- the WNBA is an outsized modern operatic American juggernaut.

And- let's all be honest- it is poised for great and sustained success.

I hope all of us in the Christian church similarly take note of the excellencies to which we are called - in serving with all we have our One Lord and Savior Jesus and likewise his saving gospel (Mark8,35). And having taking note of these I hope and pray we as the body of Christ Spiritually toughen up a bit- and are ready and able to weather our fair share of any condemnation that comes our way.

Oh glory- take heart bible based born again Christians- we have the most excellent ministries. So is it really a wonder that our loving God has told his people- "No weapon formed against us shall prosper." Isaiah54,17. No stronghold of condemnation shall prosper amongs us, because we are in Christ Jesus!

Christian Media Excellence Helps Us Overcome Condemnation

Christian media- especially Christian contemporary music- and now Christian based film making- and television and radio news- and talk radio- all of them- have been gaining in influence and cultural power over the decades.

It's as if big manstream media has become so sloppy about ordinary civilized and national, civic, cultural and patriotic and valid redeemable religious values that Christian media- in all its forms- is gainfully filling in the many vacated news beats and media and cultural spaces that mainstream media has left vacant.

The simple fact is we Christians like Christian media- it helps us to feel at least somewhat normal and hopeful in a nation and a world that would perhaps prefer to marginalize us.

And besides- it makes us feel like we still have a nation and a culture that values us and our faith.

Christian media also strengthens us. And we Christians are going to have to get stronger in our faith- whereby we put Romans8,1-2 right out there for the glory of our Lord Jesus and all the angels and saints: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

John16,33 Jesus says "I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We Seek Only To Do The Gospel- To Do What Is Good Psalm38,20

We might be tempted to ask our condemners why they- who don't know Jesus- are so mad at us who do?

When we want nothing more- or better- than to share Jesus' loving salvation with all who don't know him (cf Psalm38,19-20).

Glory to God- we are God's property- so we keep on the Jesus side of life in times of trouble, and resist the bait of taking offense at the gospel, and the bait of violence and hatred, and the bait of satan spreading his confusion about our faith- because these would be a rerturn to law of sin and death, and the dispensation of condemnation.

Instead, we take solace, and strength, and Holy Ghost energy in being God's property, sons and daughters of a merciful and generous king- bought at a great price, the price of HIS blood on Calvary- knowing that we are washed clean of all that pertains to dispensation of condemnation, and since we're here- made for such a time as this!

The Faith Confidence Of Adult Baptism Is Also Key To No Condemnation
Galatians3,26-27 makes clear this phrase "in Christ Jesus" is a referance to repentant adult personal faith baptism: "26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.""

Romans6,23 also uses this same phrase "in Christ." "The wage paid by sin is death. The gift freely given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."

So likewise our central verse today today Romans8,1-2: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

So, having the faith confidence over the stronghold of condemnation in Christ Jesus is directly related to the grace of faith in Jesus' resurrection put into us by the grace of first faith and also by the further grace of our personally faithful adult baptism. In fact, there is no contradiction in saying that we are born again in seed form by repentant personal faith in Jesus as Lord and savior, and also saying (with John3,5 and Gal3,23-27) that we are born again by water by that same repentant personal faith- that expresses itself in getting adult baptized.

"But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, locked up to wait for the faith which would eventualy be revealed to us.24So the Law was serving as a slave to look after us, to lead us to Christ, so that we could be justified by faith.25But now that faith has come we are no longer under a slave looking after us;26for all of you are the children of God [by the Spirit of God], through faith, in Christ Jesus, 27since every one of you that has been baptised [note p] has been clothed in Christ." Galatians3,23-27 NJB

(Note P of the 1985 NJB (Doubleday) study bible at p.1929 explains how first faith and adult water baptism are not opposed to each other: "Far from being opposed to each other, faith and baptism correspond to each other, see Romans6,4a.") Why do so many otherwise biblically literate people still teach that first faith is about "real" personal faith and that adult baptism latter is merely symbolic ritual? No, we preach here at Zion Pentecost Mission first faith and both baptisms require actual repentant personal faith.

Where Has Your Faith Seed Fallen? Is it still alive?

Can It Ward Off Condemnation Without Adult Water Baptism And Holy Ghost Baptism?

Matthew13,19-23: "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times."

Adult personal faith baptism- take me to the river- to the ocean- to the overbrimming feed trough- is where people who hear the Word and understand it go to get stronger and stay free from Satan causing confusion and stealing their faith seed, and thus stay free from condemnation. It's the personally faithful covenant place that helps us plant longlasting faith roots. It's also sign of great gratitude for the seed of salvation, a seed that needs the further Spiritual nurture of a watered faith, a faith often needing more of the Spirit in it, a born again faith that needs to knowing enetr in a living covenantal faith with God. It testifies that 'I never want to go back to the condemnation of the world, the devil and the flesh, never back to the law of sin and death that destroys lives and confuses the simple gospel message. It also says I want to rule on thnis earth with Jesus during the millennial kingdom.

So isn't it instructive that the popular 'no condemnation' message of salvation is vitally connected with being "in Christ Jesus"- with personally faithful adult baptism. I have gone almost 40 years being a christian and studied and written extensively on baptism and I didn't realize until recently that the new testament bible vitally connects its no condemnation message to the rock solid faith covenant of adult baptism.

And isn't it also instructive that the huge gospel promise of being born again- key to all evangelical gospel efforts- that some only verbally associate with the seed faith of Matthew13,19-23, that is first faith, where born again is not mentioned- is explicitly found in Jesus encounter with Nicodemus per John3,1-8, particularly verse 5, which some "bible believers" often fail to cite:

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”John3,1-8 NIV

My friends we all agree the bible is the Word of God and without error. At first faith-profession yes we are born again- we have a living seed of faith- but being born again by personal faith includes something more not less according to John3,5 the personal covenantal faith act of adult water baptism.

John3,5 is not a contradiction to faith alone through Christ alone, because adult baptism is our personally faithful personal response to the already the repeated commands of Jesus (Mark16,16, Matthew28,19 and John3,5) to administer and get adult baptized unto salvation and the kingdom.

Adult baptism is not a work of the church- it is an ordinance of the Word one of two and fulfills Jesus' own commands that state it is required for salvation.

How can we be strong and be prepared for every good work of the gospel- amidst persecution and condemnation of the evil one and his team- when we neglect adult water baptism, the very essence of the fully obedient faith that defines salvation: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark16,16)

How can so many Christians- bible believers- neglect John3,5 and Mark16,16 and Matthrew28,19 and Acts2,36-39 and then claim they have the baptism of the Sprit as soon as first faith? Before any adult water baptism? Yes at first faith we are born again, in seed form, yes we are saved, but in seed form. But with a seed form faith Matthew13,19-23says we might be confused and when the devil comes in lying about the faith- he snatches away that momentary salvation seed. Or, our seed of salvation dies in rocky ground- amidst a lot rocky ground culture and people- not enough roots, too many rocks, not enough understanding of the Word.

And then there are those whose salvation seed falls among the wordly thorns of lust and and greed and worry about money, and all the idols of our world. Lust and greed and wordly power and any idol can take the place of God and make us blind and deaf to God's ongoing merciful grace. As the first commandment: "Though shall have no other God's beside me." An idolator is in such a state of spiritual torpor, as to become "wooden", insensate in body and mind, he or she can't see, can't hear God's grace, so he or she largely loses the ability to freely respond to God's grace:

"But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. " Psalm115,4-8 NIV

Idols are dead and Jesus is alive and so is his new law of the Spirit. Idols curse and condemn humanity, cause Spiritual death, while faith in Jesus blesses and plants God's Spirit in us.

Adult water baptism moves us beyond a mere seed form of salvation. Matthew13,19-23 says three out of four times the gospel salvation seed dies. In other words, the seed of salvation needs personally faithful adult baptism for more grace and the fruitfulness of a committed personal faith covenant with Jesus- which leads to (usually in this order but not always, Acts10) personally faithful baptism in the Spirit (Acts2,36-39) and thereby secures the new law of the Spirit in us- which helps us finish the race of salvation.

Has your salvation seed of faith died in the midst of the rocky ground and thorns of the world, and the idols of the world such as lust and greed? Has it died in the face of the stronghold of condemnation and the Spiritual deaths of Matthew13,19-23?

If so, adult water baptism and Holy Ghost baptism are confidence building and strength building further milestones of personal faith and salvation that keep us on the road to heaven and the kingdom thereafter, and thus are our best protection for remaining free and faithful- and against falling back into condemnation and the law of sin and death!

Adult water baptism and Holy Ghost baptism will keep us moving forward to our heavenly and kingdom rewards, and give us a covenantal faith that is more than a seed faith, a life that bears multifold fruit, that calls down and seeks and then bears baptism in the Spirit, a life that has the faith and strength to confidently live in the Spirit, and to leave behind the world, the devil and the flesh: and will make us able to say with Paul after his adult personal faith baptism:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans8,1-2.

Lord we pray to YOU Our Lord and Savior:

Revive your people- show us that you are still alive- that your grace is still reaching out to everybody- show us that you want to revive everybody's salvation, and give us more faith unto the secure law of the Spirit living in everyone who belives. Revive us to our our first love faith, that we had for you and our brothers and sisters in the faith.

And Lord we pray you would demonstrate once again your loving compassion on all new believers and all the Christian fledglings that you want to leave the nest of gospel comfort, so you could use them mightily to spread your gospel. Give them a clear sign that it's time for them soar to shine and to serve, with all your excellencies!

Lord too many of us get too comfortable with condemnation- its confusion, fear and worry and shame- its accusations and the hatreds of the world, the devil, and the flesh that we forget to- or neglect to- always bring it and our sins to you Jesus at the cross.

But better that we would always make haste to get right and be right with you annd in you- better to taste and see your goodness and mercy and the salvation today and every day!

So loving and saving Jesus if we haven't done so already- may we all confidently approach the recreative faith waters of personally faithful adult baptism-- and may we all be washed white as snow by your blood and the personal faith you have given us by your merciful grace.

We trust you Jesus to give us all the grace necessary to ward off all manner of spiritual condemnation against us in your service and the service of your gospel.

In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

Br. Tobin Hitt
Connecticut USA

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THE FOUNDER

Tobin Hitt is the founder of the Zion Pentecost Mission. He is open to gospel partnership with all, and identifies with Paul's description of our mission as ambassadors for our king, Jesus, urging all to reconcile with God (2Cor.20-21). He resides in Cheshire, Connecticut.