Thoughts and Considerations

                                        THE KINGDOM OF GOD “But seek ye first the KINGDOM OF GOD, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 “And from that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 “…He (Jesus) answered them and said, ‘…The Kingdom of God comes not with observation: neither shall they say, ‘Lo here, or Lo there’ for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 “Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and had delivered us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 INDEX: - WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS - THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ADVANCED BY PURSUING HIS AGENDA IN THIS WORLD AND NOT OURS  AND IS LIVING A LIFE UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - LOOKING AT THE LIFE OF JESUS: 1 - THE PERSONAL REVELATION OF GOD                          2 - THE DISCIPLINE OF OBEDIENCE                                   3 - BAPTISM AND THE BA

  THE NEW BIRTH AND THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 2   There is perhaps some confusion regarding these two doctrines, and hopefully the following study will help clarify these foundational truths. What I must state, to which most believers can testify, that these are not merely intellectual assertions, but actual living experiences! INDEX: - THE NEW BIRTH - BEING BORN AGAIN - THE NEW BIRTH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD - THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, AND THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT - THE LAYING ON OF HANDS - THE GIFT OF TONGUES - CONCLUSION   “ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily (truly, truly) I say unto you, except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 “Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23 “And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on the disciples and said, ‘Receive the Holy Ghost/Spirit.’” John 20:22

                                           WATER BAPTISM  INDEX: - WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM? - HOW SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED? - WHAT ABOUT INFANT BAPTISM? - HOW SOON AFTER BELIEVING SHOULD A PERSON BE BAPTIZED? - IN WHAT NAME SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED? - WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO BE SAFELY BAPTIZED - WHAT ABOUT THE BELIEVER WHO DECIDES NOT TO BE BAPTIZED? - CONCLUSION “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, BAPTISING them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28: 19-20 “And He said unto them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believes and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16     The topic of Baptism has been an issue of controversy and confusion within the Body of Christ, the Church, since its very early