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The Entrances to The Courts of The Lord

The Gates of Baptism

BAPTISM

A baptism is an immersion in something. Can you see how a baptism would be a gate to, something? Before I start this teaching I want to address the issue of three baptisms –yet one baptism, spoken about in Eph 4:5,6 —There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

The word “one” that is underlined in this scripture is the Greek word heia 1520 meaning “a certain one” or also meaning one of something or one of some. The word “one” that is not underlined is the Greek word mia 3391 meaning one in agreement. This is some very subtle stuff.

In the Trinity there are Three in One correct? So also in baptism. Just as man is made of body, soul and spirit; the one baptism spoken about in this scripture, is not only into one body (water baptism- physical) but also includes the baptism of the Holy Spirit (soul) , and the baptism of Jesus (spirit), while we are still ONE in HIM with no divisions.

The ONE baptism referred to in the Ephesians scripture includes all three, the biblical type of this being the Trinity and the three parts of man. For more details for the understanding of these types go to:  “Sapphire” for The Trinity, and “Chalcedony” for Man.

The baptism of John (water baptism) is a definitive act in the physical realm, which is the gate into the outer court. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual event based upon your desire that enables you to enter the inner court. The baptism of Jesus with fire comes as a consequence of obedience and suffering for Christ.  Now let’s study.

OUTER COURT of the Temple

ITS GATE
For an Israelite to get inside the temple of God, he had to go through a gate to enter the outer court. The first thing inside that gate was the altar of sacrifice. 

Your entrance to the Courts of The Lord, through the salvation offered in Jesus Christ, is dependent upon: passing through the gate of: the water baptism of repentance —-of sin, and a turning toward God.  This is what is called the baptism of John.  Jesus’ disciples baptized believers with this baptism. This is a physical baptism for the new life of Christ in you.  It is the outward act signifying the death of the old life.  This is where our sin is dealt with. This is where you become justified before God.

This also contains the baptism into one body where we fellowship with God and with man –“where we were all made to drink of one Spirit”. 1 Cor 12:13  This enables you to fellowship together with other Christians.

INNER COURT of the temple

ITS GATE
To get from outer court to the inner court, the gate is: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:2. This baptism is always given by Jesus, but often He uses believers’ reports, prayers, or the laying on of hands for it to be given. 

I received this baptism from a report about it on television, and when I said, “I want that”, I began to experience ecstasies and a heavenly language. 

This baptism is:

1. Your baptism into self’s death, as from now on you die and Christ reigns in you. Rom 6:3 

With this baptism “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be My witnesses (to leave a record, a martyr) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

With this baptism, the spiritual gifts are given for the building up of the body1Cor 12:4-11.  This court contains the supernatural stuff everyone loves so much. This court is full of fun and pain, as priests grow up into Christ. Here is the preparation for holiness. Here we are sanctified Heb. 2:11. It is in this court where our hearts are tested. Those who pass their tests will walk into the highest court, for the way has been made for us through the power of an indestructible life Heb7:16.

HOLY OF HOLIES

ITS GATE
This gate is a fire baptism by Jesus.

I have come to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished.  Luke 12:49-50

Please take note that this statement by Jesus was made after his baptism by John. I believe that Jesus is referring to the things that he would suffer to institute the New Covenant in His blood when he says that, “He has a baptism to undergo”. The reason that I hold this belief is because of this scripture in Hebrews:

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things that he suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Heb 5:8-10

If He had to go through this baptism of suffering to cast fire on the earth, how much should we appreciate and value this fiery baptism given to those who are willing to suffer with him? How strange it is that many Christians turn their back on these baptisms, when Jesus’ whole purpose was to accomplish this. Did you catch His heart in the phrase, “and how distressed I am until it is accomplished? “

This fire first came to the earth when the disciples were in the upper room and received both the Holy Spirit and the fire together Acts 2-3.  The fire baptism is given only by Christ. It can come with the Holy Spirit baptism, or after that baptism.

We as sons, make choices to walk into holiness through obedience.

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things that he suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Heb 5:8-10

With this baptism you will bow low. There is reverence, fear, and awe, as you partake of His heart for the world. In this place you are identified with Him alone. There is only Him, as YOU are melted away into his love. You live to please only Him. You love all of His creation in the same way He does. You feel His pain and anguish. YOU CARE. This is life in the Holy of Holies. 

This next scripture shows us the necessity of the fire, and then links it to peace in the body. For everyone will be salted with fire.

Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt (fire) in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.  Mark 9:49-50

In Rev. 8:5 when the 7^th seal was broken, before the 7 trumpets of doom sounded,

“an angel took the censer; (in this censer was incense mixed with the prayer of the saints) and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake”.

This passage tells us that this baptismal fire comes from the altar in heaven. It also comes with power, for when it ignited the incense and prayer there were manifestations of power; thunder, lightening, and earthquakes, just as when it came upon the disciples in the upper room there were sounds of rushing wind, visible flames, etc.

What will be the identifying marks of those baptized with fire?

1. They walk with God in obedience.
2.  They are holy and live in peace with others.
3.  The fire of God burns within them.
4.  Their prayer and walk is with God’s power and authority.

Dear Lord, baptize us into YOU!

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Amethyst: Courts