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Without question the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, the Bible... is our source of God's truth to us... alongside the Holy Spirit which will always agree with God's Word. Christ did not leave us alone. We have now Text and Teacher... the Bible and the Holy Spirit... to guide our every thought, word and deed... even the attitudes of our heart. Before I move on with the discussion I must add... to live and to move and to have our being in Him (Christ via the Holy Spirit in us)... we must be as mature Christians fully convinced of God's Word specifically Acts 2:38... "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized (by water) 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." We must not be without the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit in us... for it is He who teaches us and transforms us daily into the likeness of our Savior... born of spirit and of water... Looking at the Greek translation and meaning of the world 'be baptized' here we see clearly it is translated to mean physical water Baptism... then later at the end of verse 38 we see it refers to 'recieveing the gift of the Holy Spirit'. But first and foremost... the to 'be baptized' or βαπτίζω from the Greek... meaning to be submerged, to dip, sink, specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. Strong's Concordance baptizó: to dip, sink Original Word: βαπτίζω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: baptizó Phonetic Spelling: (bap-tid'-zo) Definition: to dip, sink Usage: lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. Often we side with the opinions of men in our present day... making less of God's actual Word... because we do not want to upset the status quo... of how things have traditionally been in ones own denomination or sect. But this should not be... if in fact it is wrong. And if men still see the truth... yet continue in the traditions of men... that man's faith is not in God or His Word... but that man's faith is in men and the tradition of men. But does not God tell us to be humble, to have a teachable spirit. Yes. So let us be Baptized in water... that then we may be filled with God's Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit. Let us take God's whole Word as our Text... and not negate any of it. Sorry... but I felt lead to bring water Baptism up. Only God knows why... maybe there will be someone who reads this who will need to know... for there are many professing Christians in this land... but few possess the Holy Spirit... few have been water Baptized. Many believe it is enough to be baptized as a baby... but Acts 2:38 is clearly speaking of a person who has full understanding of what they are doing... where as babies do not. Water baptism is essential for receiving the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we may have good intentions but being led by our own unctions and thoughts... and not by the Spirit of God. It would be a practice in futility and unbiblical stubborness not to be water baptized. Most who would retort Acts 2:38... have been muffled by modern theology. If this is not doctrinally important then why would God have Luke write this verse. He did write it as inspired by God. And we are to obey God. The Title... "The Modern Muffles Of The Church" is very much inspired by the Holy Spirit in me... along with the New Testament letters to the seedling churches warning them of false movements, false doctrines, false gospels and even false Jesus'. Even today these false movements hold some truth and on the outside seem appealing but their very core is black. That is why we must carefully look at and try to stop these encroaching movements before they become the norm... deceiving many... and causing many to fall away. These are some of these modern muffles in the church today with is another gospel and another Jesus. I am heart broken by what is happeing to our American churches today. 1) Lack of Baptism water and spirit / being Born Again in the church 2) Female pastors in the church 3) Homosexual pastors in the church 4) Lack of preaching the full Gospel in the church 5) Lack of integrity in the church 6) Lack of helping the poor, widows, orphans, sick, imprisoned etc. 7) New Age within the church... Yoga, philosophy, hypnotic repetitive beat music in praise and worship 'feeling the presence of God' sessions seeking an experience with God instead of seeking to be obedient to God. Some call this 'soaking' or 'soaking rooms'. The rooms are dark... usually with candles. There is no talk of repentance... dying to self... and walking in God's truth and in God's love. Please feel free to add any Bible scriptures... or thoughts on this issue of the muffling of the church. I believe we need to talk about these issues... because it is spreading like wildfire... BECAUSE we don't talk about these things but we should. Yes we can pray... but then as lead by the Holy Spirit... must act on what the Holy Spirit is clearly telling us to do.... for the Word will agree with what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. And we are the church. Amen. Let us use God's Word to correct, reproof and give instruction in righteousness to those around us... no matter who they are. The Lord has set me before church leaders, pastors and even a few Jewish Rabbis. I am called as all Christians are called... to be a light of God's truth... as the Holy Spirit and God's Word leads us every day. For many are too afraid to correct the modern shepherds of this day. But they need to be. Pray for boldness and the Lord Jesus Christ will give it to you... to speak His Truth in Love... where ever you are... He will give you the words to speak. Use God's Word to correct them. Speak His truth in His love. I meet them in the market places. I meet them in the churches. We are all called to be a light... especially now... as the world gets crazier and crazier. Be bold... give God's Word out... with out shame... be bold! Rip as many out of the fires of hell as you can. Life is so short. Life is not a joke. It is very serious. Many will perish into eternal damnation... but NOT ON OUR WATCH! NOT IN OUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE! LET IT NEVER BE THAT WE THE CHURCH BE ASHAMED OF JESUS CHRIST! NEVER! EVER! Here is your weapon church... to put out the darkness in this land... "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."... 2 Timothy 3:16-17