The Mystery of the Gospel of Christ

This thread intends to look at the Mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The basic premise of the thread is my assertion that the knowledge of the Gospel, meaning an understanding of the knowledge, was not given to men in the Old Testament. A couple issues that arise when we maintain Paul's teaching is first, the erroneous equation of the Old Testament Saint being justified through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. One of the primary difference between the economy of the New Covenant (established in full at Pentecost) and the economies of the Old Testament (which includes the Age of Law which ended when Christ died on the Cross, and sent the Comforter in fulfillment of the promise of God) is that today we are eternally redeemed at salvation, whereas the Old Testament Saint died still awaiting the redemption of their transgression and being immersed into God (the eternal indwelling).

So one question we could ask is just how much does understanding the Disciples of Christ were not born again believers impact how you understand the New Testament, and subsequently the New Covenant?

Here are some specific passages dealing with the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ:


Romans 16:24-26
King James Version (KJV)

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:


Ephesians 3
King James Version (KJV)

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;


Ephesians 3:9
King James Version (KJV)

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:


Ephesians 5:30-32
King James Version (KJV)

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.



Ephesians 6:17-19
King James Version (KJV)

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,


Colossians 1:25-27
King James Version (KJV)

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:


God bless.

 

Here is Vine's definition of Mystery:


Bible Dictionaries
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words
Mystery

1: μυστήριον
(Strong's #3466 — Noun Neuter — musterion — moos-tay'-ree-on )
primarily that which is known to the mustes, "the initiated" (from mueo, "to initiate into the mysteries;" cp. Philippians 4:12 , mueomai, "I have learned the secret," RV). In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the Eng. word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In the ordinary sense a "mystery" implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptual significance is truth revealed. Hence the terms especially associated with the subject are "made known," "manifested," "revealed," "preached," "understand," "dispensation." The definition given above may be best illustrated by the following passage: "the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to His saints" (Colossians 1:26 , RV). "It is used of:

"(a) spiritual truth generally, as revealed in the gospel, 1 Corinthians 13:2 ; 14:2 (cp. 1 Timothy 3:9 ). Among the ancient Greeks 'the mysteries' were religious rites and ceremonies practiced by secret societies into which any one who so desired might be received. Those who were initiated into these 'mysteries' became possessors of certain knowledge, which was not imparted to the uninitiated, and were called 'the perfected,' cp. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 where the Apostle has these 'mysteries' in mind and presents the gospel in contrast thereto; here 'the perfected' are, of course, the believers, who alone can perceive the things revealed; (b) Christ, who is God Himself revealed under the conditions of human life, Colossians 2:2 ; 4:3 , and submitting even to death, 1 Corinthians 2:1 (in some mss., for marturion, testimony),7, but raised from among the dead, 1 Timothy 3:16 , that the will of God to cordinate the universe in Him, and subject it to Him, might in due time be accomplished, Ephesians 1:9 (cp. Revelation 10:7 ), as is declared in the gospel, Romans 16:25 ; Ephesians 6:19 ; (c) the Church, which is Christ's Body, i.e., the union of redeemed men with God in Christ, Ephesians 5:32 (cp. Colossians 1:27 ); (d) the rapture into the presence of Christ of those members of the Church which is His Body who shall be alive on the earth at His Parousia, 1 Corinthians 15:51 ; (e) the operation of those hidden forces that either retard or accelerate the Kingdom of Heaven (i.e., of God), Matthew 13:11 ; Mark 4:11 ; (f) the cause of the present condition of Israel, Romans 11:25 ; (g) the spirit of disobedience to God, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ; Revelation 17:5,7 ; cp. Ephesians 2:2 ." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 256,257.] To these may be added (h) the seven local churches, and their angels, seen in symbolism, Revelation 1:20 ; (i) the ways of God in grace, Ephesians 3:9 . The word is used in a comprehensive way in 1 Corinthians 4:1 . * [* See The Twelve Mysteries of Scripture, by Vine.]


It is interesting that the word was used of cults in regards to being initiated into them and gaining the knowledge of that group.


God bless.

 

Here is Strong's:

mystērion

Pronunciation
mü-stā'-rē-on (Key)


Part of Speech
neuter noun

Root Word (Etymology)
From a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth)


KJV Translation Count — Total: 27x
The KJV translates Strong's G3466 in the following manner: mystery (27x).


Outline of Biblical Usage

hidden thing, secret, mystery

1. 1. generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
      
      
   2. a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding
      
      
   3. a hidden purpose or counsel
      1. secret will
         1. of men
            
            
         2. of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly
2. in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense
   1. of an OT saying
      
      
   2. of an image or form seen in a vision
      
      
   3. of a dream

Strong’s Definitions
μυστήριον mystḗrion, moos-tay'-ree-on; from a derivative of μύω mýō (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):—mystery.



Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3466: μυστήριον
μυστήριον, μυστηρίου, τό (μύστης (one initiated; from μυέω, which see)), in classical Greek a hidden thing, secret, mystery: μυστήριον σου μή κατειπης τῷ φιλῶ, Menander; plural generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to be communicated by them to ordinary mortals; (cf. K. F. Hermann, Gottesdienstl. Alterthümer der Griechen, § 32). In the Scriptures:

1. a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding: 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Corinthians 14:2; (of the secret rites of the Gentiles, Wis. 14:15, 23).

2. a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will: of men, τοῦ βασιλέως, Tobit 12:7, 11; τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, Judith 2:2; of God: μυστήρια Θεοῦ, the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly, Wis. 2:22. In the N. T., God's plan of providing salvation for men through Christ, which was once hidden but now is revealed: Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7 (on this see ἐν, I. 5 f.); Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26f; with τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ added, Ephesians 1:9; τοῦ Θεοῦ, which God formed, Colossians 2:2; (1 Corinthians 2:1 WH text); τοῦ Χριστοῦ, respecting Christ, Colossians 4:3; τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, which is contained and announced in the gospel, Ephesians 6:19; ἐτελέσθη τό μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ, said of the consummation of this purpose, to be looked for when Christ returns, Revelation 10:7; τά μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν or τοῦ Θεοῦ, the secret purposes relative to the kingdom of God, Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; used of certain single events decreed by God having reference to his kingdom or the salvation of men, Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; of God's purpose to bless the Gentiles also with salvation through Christ (cf. Lightfoot on Colossians 1:26), Ephesians 3:3, cf. Ephesians 3:5; with τοῦ Χριστοῦ added, Ephesians 3:4; οἰκονόμοι μυστηρίων Θεοῦ, the stewards of God's mysteries, i. e. those intrusted with the announcement of God's secret purposes to men, 1 Corinthians 4:1; used generally, of Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men: with the addition of τῆς πίστεως, τῆς εὐσεβείας, which faith and godliness embrace and keep, 1 Timothy 3:9, 16; τό μυστήριον τῆς ἀνομίας the mystery of lawlessness, the secret purpose formed by lawlessness, seems to be a tacit antithesis to God's saving purpose, 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

3. Like רָזָא and סוד in rabbinic writers, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an O. T. saying, Ephesians 5:32; of a name, Revelation 17:5; of an image or form seen in a vision, Revelation 1:20; Revelation 17:5; of a dream, (Theod.) Daniel 2:18f, 27-30, where the Sept. so renders רָז. (The Vulg. translates the wordsacramentum in Daniel 2:18; Daniel 4:6; Tobit 12:7; Wis. 2:22; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3, 9; Ephesians 5:32; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:20.) (On the distinctive N. T. use of the word cf. Campbell, Dissertations on the Gospels. diss. ix. part i.; Kendrick in B. D. American edition under the word ; Lightfoot on Colossians 1:26.)


God bless.

 

I wasn't talking about when they ministered after Pentecost, but prior to that.

Here is another indication they weren't believing on Christ prior to Pentecost:


Luke 24:36-40
King James Version (KJV)

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.


They thought they were seeing a ghost. They believed Him to still be dead and separated from His flesh. He allows them to feel that He is "flesh and bone."

The reason this is important is that when we understand the magnitude of the Work of Christ we better understand our own salvation. This is especially important when we are trying to understand the Old Testament. Most erroneously assume that the disciples were Christians, but, to be a Christian one must be immersed into God in eternal union and one with Christ. And when we see God's grace bestowed on all Old Testament Saints, who wre justifeid, but not eternally redeemed, we can see the consistency of Salvation by grace through faith from Genesis to Revelation.


God bless.

 

Absolutely. It defines Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection as, not something adding to what has taken place before, but something that has never before happened.

These are numerous.

First, it helps us understand how the Old Testament Saint was saved, both while they lived, as well as in the eternal perspective. The Old Testament Saint was justified during their lives, but, if we do not distinguish between being justified in a temporal sense based on what we do, contrasted being justified through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus, we are going to end up in the same boat that Catholics and Protestants have been in for five centuries.

Consider:

Romans 4
King James Version (KJV)

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.


First, note that Abraham is justified because of what he did. He believed God in faith, right?


9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.


His faith is counted as righteousness. And we are told, not only in Genesis, but here, exactly what he believed:


17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.


18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.


19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:


20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;


21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.


22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.


He wasn't believing the revealed Gospel of Christ, He was simply believing God's promise to Him concerning the Seed, which he understood in a physical sense. He wanted a son of His own, cried out to God about it, and was promised, "Not only will you have a son from your own bowels, but you will be the father of many nations, and all the families will be blessed through you (your seed (Seed))."

Now this is the Gospel, and because of the Revelation of the Mystery we can identify it as such.

Now let's see if Abraham needed further Justification:


23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.


Here we see Abraham also was in need of Justification through the Redemption which was in Christ Jesus:


Romans 3:23-26
King James Version (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.


Paul establishes that no man will be justified through the works of the Law, and shows that His Sacrifice (His "blood," v.25) is the means of remission of sins that are past, referring in a general scope to mankind (just as "no man being justified through the Law does).

Now let's briefly look at James' statement concerning Abraham's Justification:


James 2:21-24
King James Version (KJV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.


There is no contradiction between James and Paul, because both are speaking of justification in a temporal sense, not an eternal sense. In both cases Abraham is justified by that which he does. And while the argument is presented "Belief is not a Work," we still go back to two very important issues:

1. Abraham was not confessing faith in Jesus Christ the Risen Savior (and could not, because the Gospel was not revealed in that Age);

2. Abraham's sin still had to be redeemed through the Sacrifice of Christ, which means he died still in need of a Savior.


Does that mean we say the Old Testament Saint was not saved? Not at all, because they, like we, were saved by grace through faith. They were saved, but, they were not eternally redeemed:


Hebrews 9:12-15
King James Version (KJV)

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.


Their eternal destinies were secured through justification by grace through faith, but, they were still in need of eternal redemption and being reconciled to God. That did not take place until Christ died in their stead.

That is one ramification which has numerous applications throughout Scripture.


God bless.

 

Something else to consider when we understand that the Mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not revealed to men in past Ages is the understanding of the First Century Jew in relation to Prophecy. They were primarily in expectation of the Promises of God to be fulfilled in a literal, physical sense. This explains why the Disciples of Christ seemed to be clueless, because in reality, they were, as to the Gospel.

How this impacts our understanding of what takes place during Christ's Ministry in Israel is huge.

Christ did not minister to all of mankind during His Ministry, He ministered in His Capacity of Messiah unto Israel. We are told that by Christ and John:


Matthew 15:24
King James Version (KJV)

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.


John 1:11
King James Version (KJV)

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.


When He sent out His disciples to preach "the Gospel of the Kingdom," which ministered within the framework of the Revelation Israel had at that time, He told His disciples:


Matthew 10:5-7
King James Version (KJV)

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.


Understanding that the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ was not made known to men prior to Pentecost helps us to distinguish between the Gospel of Christ and the Gospel of the Kingdom, which in turn helps us to better understand Prophecy, which itself is one of the best contributors to an understanding of Salvation.

While the Gospel of the Kingdom is not to be divorced from our understanding of the Kingdom we have been translated into (its principles still apply), if we mistake this to mean "This is what it means to be a Christian" then we impose something into it that isn't there, and nullify those to whom it has first relevance, Israel.

The Disciples were not Christians until they were Baptized with the Holy Ghost (immersed into God in eternal union, indwelt by God), and it was not until then that they began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This...


1 Peter 1:9-12
King James Version (KJV)

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.


...points out that the Prophets were not aware of that which they did know would come unto us. And it is by the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven, the Comforter, Who convicts unbelievers of sin, righteousness, and judgment:


John 16:7-9
King James Version (KJV)

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;


There are many ramifications to understanding the Mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I am about out of time, so will leave these two posts for your consideration.


God bless.

 

Galatians 3
King James Version (KJV)

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.


Note that justification of the Heathen through faith is something foreseen. It will be grace through faith, just as Abraham was justified in a temporal sense, for believing, not that Jesus Christ was the Son of the Living God, and that He died for his (Abraham's) sin, or would die for His sin, but...


Genesis 12
King James Version (KJV)

12 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.


Genesis 15
King James Version (KJV)

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.


Romans 4:16-20
King James Version (KJV)

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;


Galatians 3:14-16
King James Version (KJV)

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.


Because the Gospel of Christ is now revealed unto us...we can know what Abraham did not: that the Seed was singular.

So your proof-text...

...which you didn't even bother to quote (stop being lazy Yeshua1)...


Galatians 3:8
King James Version (KJV)

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.


...does indeed show the Gospel of Christ being preached unto Abraham, but, Abraham did not understand it as we can, seeing we have the Revelation provided us by the Spirit of God sent from heaven, and, we have the commentary of the New Testament to drive it home.

The Gospel was prophesied, but, according to Paul it was not revealed to men in past Ages, generations, to the sons of men or Saints:


Romans 16:24-26
King James Version (KJV)

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:


I am truly sorry that most commentaries give the Mystery of the Gospel strictly the concept of the Gospel being revealed to Gentiles only, but, as asked of you, as well as the others who hold to such a weak understanding of this Doctrine...

...how do you explain that both Jew and Gentile are only now made one man in Christ?

Show me anyone being baptized into Christ prior to Pentecost, that's all you guys have to do.


God bless.

 

He prophesied of Christ as an Old Testament Prophet. Christ distinguishes him from those who would be translated into His Kingdom:


Matthew 11:11
King James Version (KJV)

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.


John foretells of Christ baptizing with the Holy Ghost:


Matthew 3:11-12
King James Version (KJV)

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.


To be Baptized with the Holy Ghost refers to the salvation Christ would bestow after He had died, arose, returned to Heaven, and began indwelling men on an eternal basis. Being "gathered" like wheat into His garner speaks of eternal life. Being burned up with unquenchable fire always speaks of eternal judgment.

Three times we see John prophecy quoted:

Acts 1:4-5
King James Version (KJV)

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.


Acts 11:13-18
King James Version (KJV)

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.


Acts 19
King James Version (KJV)

19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.


Christ is the Baptizer, and He baptizes, not with water, nor unto repentance, but with the Holy Ghost unto repentance unto life.

When we understand this we do not get caught up in errors which most denominations do, because they teach the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, not as the moment of the immersion of the believer into Christ, but, as a subsequent event in the life of the believer, at which time they are empowered. We are saved by being baptized into Christ, and empowered by being "filled" with the Holy Ghost, even as men were filled to minister in the Old Testament.

Another error taught by several groups is Baptismal Regeneration, which teaches that men receive the Holy Ghost when water baptized. But, when we pay close attention to John's Prophecy, we see Christ will not baptize with water, nor use men to baptize in water, but Himself baptizes men with the Holy Ghost.

We just have to keep things in their proper order, and being baptized with the Holy Ghost did not begin until Pentecost.


God bless.