WHO ARE WE? Part 1
/by Oscar M. Baker
You may ask, if all these promises of the coming of the Lord were to Israel and the church of God which was made up of Israel and graffed in Gentiles, just who are we and where do we come in? That is a good question and it is the very thing for which this ministry was founded. I want to make clear to you, and all that I can contact, just what is the calling and hope for today. The most important question for us is that concerning our hope, our destiny, and our position before God. That is TRUTH FOR TODAY.
We do not wait till the coming of the Lord, but our hope is to be manifested with Him in Glory (the super-heavens) before He comes to earth (Colossians 3:4). Our destiny has nothing to do with the earth and the kingdom set up on earth. It has nothing to do with the heavens and the New Jerusalem which comes down out of the heavens. Our destiny is to enjoy spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Our destiny is to be seated with Christ at the right hand of God, (Ephesians 2:6). Our position is one that is far above all princes, (Ephesians 1:21) for we are in Him since we are His Body (Ephesians 5:23).
The present calling has as its goal the presence of God, or the Holy of Holies. This is a place where no ordinances of any kind can enter. We are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). Since this is the dispensation of the grace of God, we have nothing to do with any laws or covenants. Neither do we have any part in the promises or blessings of Abraham. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the super-heavens in Christ Jesus, not Abraham (see Ephesians 1:3). Israel was set aside at Acts 28:28 and with her setting aside were set aside all the promises also pertaining to her as well as the ordinances which were connected with those promises.
-WATER BAPTISM-
The baptism of John was for repentant Israel, not for any Gentiles. The baptism of the disciples was for the same purpose. Our Lord identified Himself with Hispeople Israel and was baptized of John. For was He not already beginning to bear the sins of His people? Only Jews were baptized up to Acts 10. Then we find Gentiles were also baptized for they were being identified with repentant Israel. They were graffed in; they partook of the promises made to Abraham.
Since we have nothing to do with the promises made to Abraham, nor are we graffed into the nation of Israel, nor do we have anything to do with any of Israel’s blessings, we do not partake of water baptism. There is no place for water baptism in the ministry of the MYSTERY. It is no part of the WALK that is worthy of the calling of the present dispensation.
-THE PASSOVER-
The “cup” at the Passover was to signify the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28 and 1 Corinthians 11:25). It was to be observed by His disciples till He should come. This feast of the Passover was observed by the Church of God right up to the end of Acts. It was observed on the 14th of Nisan. The last Passover observed by the Lord and His disciples was on Tuesday night and the death of the Lord was on Wednesday afternoon.
NOTE: I am not discussing here the so-called Lord’s supper which was Baal’s supper and was borrowed by the early church from Babylon. Such never had any part in any dispensation of God.
-THE NEW COVENANT-
Since water baptism and the Passover were closely connected with the New Covenant, it might be well to find what it is. The Old Covenant was with Israel, as most will agree. So was the New Covenant.
Read Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8-12, Luke 22:20; Mark 14:24; 1 Corinthians 10:16.
No covenant was ever made with the Gentiles. They are under grace. Originally published - March 1949
