Apocryphal Baruch
BARUCH From Ginzberg
Thus consoled, Baruch addressed an admonition to the people left in Palestine, and wrote two letters of the same tenor to the exiles, one to the nine tribes and a half, the other to the two tribes and a half. The letter to the nine tribes and a half of the captivity was carried to them by an eagle. (67)
Five years after the great catastrophe, he composed a book in Babylon, (68) which contained penitential prayers and hymns of consolation,
exhorting Israel and urging the people to return to God and His law.
This book Baruch read to King Jeconiah and the whole people on a day of prayer and penitence. On the same occasion a collection was taken up among the people, and the funds thus secured, together with the silver Temple vessels made by order of Zedekiah after Jeconiah had been carried away captive, were sent to Jerusalem, with the request that the high priest Joakim and the people should apply the money to the sacrificial service and to prayers for the life of King Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar. Thus they might ensure peace and happiness under Babylonian rule. Above all, they were to supplicate God to turn away His wrath from His people.
Baruch sent his book also to the residents of Jerusalem, and they read it in the Temple on distinguished days, and recited the prayers it contains. (69)
Baruch is one of the few mortals who have been privileged to visit Paradise and know its secrets. An angel of the Lord appeared to him while he was lamenting over the destruction of Jerusalem and took him to the seven heavens, to the place of judgment where the doom of the godless is pronounced, and to the abodes of the blessed. (70)
He was still among the living at the time in which Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to Palestine, but on account of his advanced age he could not avail himself of the permission. So long as he was alive, his disciple Ezra remained with him in Babylonia, for "the study of the law is more important than the building of the Temple." It was only after the death of Baruch that he decided to gather together the exiles who desired to return to the Holy Land and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. (71)
THE TOMBS OF BARUCH AND EZEKIEL
The piety of Baruch and the great favor he enjoyed with God were made known to later generations many years after his death, through the marvellous occurrences connected with his tomb.
Once a Babylonian prince commanded a Jew, Rabbi Solomon by name, to show him the grave of Ezekiel, concerning which he had heard many remarkable tales.
The Jew advised the prince first to enter the tomb of Baruch, which adjoined that of Ezekiel.
Having succeeded in this, he might attempt the same with the tomb of Ezekiel, the teacher of Baruch. (72)
In the presence of his grandees and his people the prince tried to open the grave of Baruch, but his efforts were fruitless. Whosoever touched it, was at once stricken dead.
An old Arab advised the prince to call upon the Jews to gain entrance for him, seeing that Baruch had been a Jew, and his books were still being studied by Jews. The Jews prepared themselves by fasts, prayers, penitence, and almsgiving, and they succeeded in opening the grave without a mishap.
Baruch was found lying on marble bier, and the appearance of the corpse was as though he had only then passed away. (73) The prince ordered the bier to be brought to the city, and the body to be entombed there.
He thought it was not seemly that Ezekiel and Baruch should rest in the same grave.
But the bearers found it impossible to remove the bier more than two thousands ells from the original grave; not even with the help of numerous draught-animals could it be urged a single step further.
Following the advice of Rabbi Solomon, the prince resolved to enter the bier on the spot they had reached and also to erect an academy there. These miraculous happenings induced the prince to go to Mecca. There he became convinced of the falseness of Mohammedanism, of which he had hitherto been an adherent, and he converted to Judaism, he and his whole court.
Near the grave of Baruch there grows a species of grass whose leaves are covered with gold dust. As the sheen of the gold is not readily noticeable by day, the people seek out the place at night, mark the very spot on which the grass grows, and return by day and gather it. (74)
Not less famous is the tomb of Ezekiel, at a distance of two thousand ells from Baruch's. It is overarched by a beautiful mausoleum erected by King Jeconiah after Evil-merodach had released him from captivity. The mausoleum existed down to the middle ages, and it bore on its walls the names of the thirty-five thousand Jews who assisted Jeconiah in erecting the monument.
It was the scene of many miracles. When great crowds of people journeyed thither to pay reverence to the memory of the prophet, the little low gate in the wall surrounding the grave enlarged in width and height to admit all who desired to enter.
Once a prince vowed to give a colt to the grave of the prophet, if but his mare which had been sterile would bear one. When his wish was fulfilled, however, he did not keep his promise. But the filly ran a distance equal to a four days' journey to the tomb, and his owner could not recover it until he deposited his value in silver upon the grace.
When people went on long journeys, they were in the habit of carrying their treasures to the grave of the prophet, and beseeching him to let none but the rightful heirs remove them thence. The prophet always granted their petition.
Once when an attempt was made to take some books from the grave of Ezekiel, the ravager suddenly became sick and blind. For a time a pillar of fire, visible at a great distance, rose above the grave of the prophet, but it disappeared in consequence of the unseemly conduct of the pilgrims who resorted thither.
Not far from the grave of Ezekiel was the grave of Barozak, who once appeared to a rich Jew in a dream. He spoke: "I am Barozak, one of the princes who were led into captivity with Jeremiah. I am one of the just. If thou wilt erect a handsome mausoleum for me, thou wilt be blessed with progeny." The Jew did as he had been bidden, and he who had been childless, shortly after became a father. (75)
Baruch 1
1- And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Asadias, the son of Chelcias, wrote in Babylon,
2- In the fifth year, and in the seventh day of the month, what time as the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.
3- And Baruch did read the words of this book in the hearing of Jechonias the son of Joachim king of Juda, and in the ears of all the people that came to hear the book,
4- And in the hearing of the nobles, and of the king's sons, and in the hearing of the elders, and of all the people, from the lowest unto the highest, even of all them that dwelt at Babylon by the river Sud.
5- Whereupon they wept, fasted, and prayed before the Lord.
6- They made also a collection of money according to every man's power-
7- And they sent it to Jerusalem unto Joachim the high priest, the son of Chelcias, son of Salom, and to the priests, and to all the people which were found with him at Jerusalem,
8- At the same time when he received the vessels of the house of the Lord, that were carried out of the temple, to return them into the land of Juda, the tenth day of the month Sivan, namely, silver vessels, which Sedecias the son of Josias king of Jada had made,
9- After that Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away Jechonias, and the princes, and the captives, and the mighty men, and the people of the land, from Jerusalem, and brought them unto Babylon.
10- And they said, Behold, we have sent you money to buy you burnt offerings, and sin offerings, and incense, and prepare ye manna, and offer upon the altar of the Lord our God;
11- And pray for the life of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and for the life of Balthasar his son, that their days may be upon earth as the days of heaven-
12- And the Lord will give us strength, and lighten our eyes, and we shall live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and under the shadow of Balthasar his son, and we shall serve them many days, and find favour in their sight.
13- Pray for us also unto the Lord our God, for we have sinned against the Lord our God; and unto this day the fury of the Lord and his wrath is not turned from us.
14- And ye shall read this book which we have sent unto you, to make confession in the house of the Lord, upon the feasts and solemn days.
15- And ye shall say, To the Lord our God belongeth righteousness, but unto us the confusion of faces, as it is come to pass this day, unto them of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
16- And to our kings, and to our princes, and to our priests, and to our prophets, and to our fathers-
17- For we have sinned before the Lord,
18- And disobeyed him, and have not hearkened unto the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the commandments that he gave us openly-
19- Since the day that the Lord
brought our forefathers out of the land of Egypt,
............unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto the Lord our God,
............and we have been negligent in
not hearing his voice.
20- Wherefore the evils cleaved unto us,
and the curse,
which the Lord appointed by Moses his servant
at the time that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt,
to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, like as it is to see this day.
21- Nevertheless we have not
hearkened unto the
voice of the Lord our God,
............ according unto all the words of the
prophets, whom he sent unto us-
22- But every man followed the imagination
of his own wicked heart,
............ to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our
God.
Baruch II
1- Therefore the Lord hath made good his word, which he pronounced against us, and against our judges that judged Israel, and against our kings, and against our princes, and against the men of Israel and Juda,
2- To bring upon us great plagues, such as never happened under the whole heaven, as it came to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that were written in the law of Moses;
3- That a man should eat the flesh of his own son, and the flesh of his own daughter.
4- Moreover he hath delivered them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are round about us, to be as a reproach and desolation among all the people round about, where the Lord hath scattered them.
5- Thus we were cast down, and not exalted, because we have sinned against the Lord our God, and have not been obedient unto his voice.
6- To the Lord our God appertaineth righteousness- but unto us and to our fathers open shame, as appeareth this day.
7- For all these plagues are come upon us, which the Lord hath pronounced against us
8- Yet have we not prayed before the Lord, that we might turn every one from the imaginations of his wicked heart.
9- Wherefore the Lord watched over us for evil, and the Lord hath brought it upon us- for the Lord is righteous in all his works which he hath commanded us.
10- Yet we have not hearkened unto his voice, to walk in the commandments of the Lord, that he hath set before us.
11- And now, O Lord God of Israel, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and high arm, and with signs, and with wonders, and with great power, and hast gotten thyself a name, as appeareth this day-
12- O Lord our God, we have sinned, we have done ungodly, we have dealt unrighteously in all thine ordinances.
13- Let thy wrath turn from us- for we are but a few left among the heathen, where thou hast scattered us.
14- Hear our prayers, O Lord, and our petitions, and deliver us for thine own sake, and give us favour in the sight of them which have led us away-
15- That all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, because Israel and his posterity is called by thy name.
16- O Lord, look down from thine holy house, and consider us- bow down thine ear, O Lord, to hear us.
17- Open thine eyes, and behold;
for the dead that are in the graves, whose souls are taken from their bodies, will give unto the Lord neither praise nor righteousness-
18- But the soul that is greatly vexed, which goeth stooping and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul, will give thee praise and righteousness, O Lord.
19- Therefore we do not make our humble supplication before thee, O Lord our God, for the righteousness of our fathers, and of our kings.
20- For thou hast sent out thy wrath and indignation upon us, as thou hast spoken by thy servants the prophets, saying,
21- Thus saith the Lord, Bow down your shoulders to serve the king of Babylon- so shall ye remain in the land that I gave unto your fathers.
22- But if ye will not hear the voice of the Lord, to serve the king of Babylon,
23- I will cause to cease out of the cites of Judah, and from without Jerusalem,
the voice of mirth, and the voice of joy, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride- and the whole land shall be desolate of inhabitants.
24- But we would not hearken unto thy voice, to serve the king of Babylon- therefore hast thou made good the words that thou spakest by thy servants the prophets, namely, that the bones of our kings, and the bones of our fathers, should be taken out of their place.
25- And, lo, they are cast out to the heat of the day, and to the frost of the night, and they died in great miseries by famine, by sword, and by pestilence.
26- And the house which is called by thy name hast thou laid waste, as it is to be seen this day, for the wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Juda.
27- O Lord our God, thou hast dealt with us after all thy goodness, and according to all that great mercy of thine,
28- As thou spakest by thy servant Moses in the day when thou didst command him to write the law before the children of Israel, saying,
29- If ye will not hear my voice, surely this very great multitude shall be turned into a small number among the nations, where I will scatter them.
30- For I knew that they would not hear me, because it is a stiffnecked people- but in the land of their captivities they shall remember themselves.
31- And shall know that I am the Lord their God- for I will give them an heart, and ears to hear-
32- And they shall praise me in the land of their captivity, and think upon my name,
33- And return from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds- for they shall remember the way of their fathers, which sinned before the Lord.
34- And I will bring them again into the land which I promised with an oath unto their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they shall be lords of it- and I will increase them, and they shall not be diminished.
35- And I will make an everlasting covenant with them to be their God, and they shall be my people- and I will no more drive my people of Israel out of the land that I have given them.
Baruch 3
1- O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, the soul in anguish the troubled spirit, crieth unto thee.
2- Hear, O Lord, and have mercy; for thou art merciful- and have pity upon us, because we have sinned before thee.
3- For thou endurest for ever, and we perish utterly.
4- O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites, and of their children, which have sinned before thee, and not hearkened unto the voice of thee their God- for the which cause these plagues cleave unto us.
5- Remember not the iniquities of our forefathers- but think upon thy power and thy name now at this time.
6- For thou art the Lord our God, and thee, O Lord, will we praise.
7- And for this cause thou hast put thy fear in our hearts, to the intent that we should call upon thy name, and praise thee in our captivity- for we have called to mind all the iniquity of our forefathers, that sinned before thee.
8- Behold, we are yet this day in our captivity, where thou hast scattered us, for a reproach and a curse, and to be subject to payments, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, which departed from the Lord our God.
9- Hear, Israel, the commandments of life- give ear to understand wisdom.
10- How happeneth it Israel, that thou art in thine enemies' land, that thou art waxen old in a strange country, that thou art defiled with the dead,
11- That thou art counted with them that go down into the grave?
12- Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom.
13- For if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou shouldest have dwelled in peace for ever.
14- Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding; that thou mayest know also where is length of days, and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.
15- Who hath found out her place? or who hath come into her treasures ?
16- Where are the princes of the heathen become, and such as ruled the beasts upon the earth;
17- They that had their pastime with the fowls of the air, and they that hoarded up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and made no end of their getting?
18- For they that wrought in silver, and were so careful, and whose works are unsearchable,
19- They are vanished and gone down to the grave, and others are come up in their steads.
20- Young men have seen light, and dwelt upon the earth- but the way of knowledge have they not known,
21- Nor understood the paths thereof, nor laid hold of it- their children were far off from that way.
22- It hath not been heard of in Chanaan, neither hath it been seen in Theman.
23- The Agarenes [HAGARENES See also AGAR]. that seek wisdom upon earth, the merchants of Meran and of Theman, the authors of fables, and searchers out of understanding;
none of these have known the way of wisdom, or remember her paths.
24- O Israel, how great is the house of God! and how large is the place of his possession!
25- Great, and hath none end; high, and unmeasurable.
26- There were the giants famous from the beginning,
that were of so great stature, and so expert in war.
27- Those did not the Lord choose,
neither gave he the way of knowledge unto them-
28- But they were destroyed, because they had no wisdom, and perished through their own foolishness.
29- Who hath gone up into heaven, and taken her (Wisdom, Sophia), and brought her down from the clouds?
30- Who hath gone over the sea, and found her, and will bring her for pure gold?
31- No man knoweth her way, nor thinketh of her path.
Going across the Sea was the sin at Mount Sinai as they rose up to PLAY. This was musical idolatry worshiping the Golden Calf as the symbol of the Egyptian Triad: Osiris, Isis and Horus.
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deut 30:10
For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. Deut 30: 11
It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30: 12
Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30: 13
But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deut 30: 14
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Deut 30: 15
In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. Deut 30: 16
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed (seed singular: Jesus Christ) shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Gen 26:4
because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." Gen 26:5
PAUL AGREED WITH GOD:
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God. 1Co.7:19
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ga.5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Ga.6:15
It simply is NOT POSSIBLE to "Know Jesus Personally" which always means in a SEXUAL SENSE
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 2 Cor 5:16
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Co.5:17
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal 3:22
We are not saved by FAITH ONLY. Paul speaks of THE FAITH as replacing THE LAW. THE FAITH is the Christian system. We know this because people who lived under THE LAW were men of personal faith (Heb 11).
But before FAITH came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto THE FAITH which should afterwards be revealed. Gal 3:23
Wherefore THE LAW was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:24
But after that FAITH is come, we are no longer under a SCHOOLMASTER. Gal 3:25
THE LAW applied to the LAWLESS. The law used the ORIENTIAL INCENTIVE which was physical punishment. If we are not under the SCHOOLMASTER we are no longer under ANY human agency which had rather CONTROL than to let the people LEARN the lessons directly from God incarnate who left his written Word. A "child" is accused by Jesus as being the "chorus leaders" as the lost Jews piped hoping to get Him to sing and dance the perverted ritual of Dionysus.
A "child" here is huios which means that we have GRADUATED from human tutors.
FOR ye are all the children of God by FAITH in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26
FOR as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27
Paul wrote the same message to the Colossians. This was not redundant but God assured that we have "two or three witnesses" for all of His teachings or doctrine.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Col 2:5
As ye have therefore RECEIVED Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye IN him: Col 2:6
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in THE FAITH, as ye have BEEN TAUGHT, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col 2:7
Beware lest any MAN spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Col 2:8
Philosophia (g5385) fil-os-of-ee'-ah; from 5386; "philosophy", i.e. (spec.) Jewish sophistry: - philosophy.
Philosophos (g5386) fil-os'-of-os; from 5384 and 4680; fond of wise things, i.e. a "philosopher": - philosopher.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. Ac.17:18
Sophos (g4680) sof-os'; akin to saphes , (clear); wise (in a most gen. application): - wise. Comp. 5429
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1Co.1:19
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1Co.1:20
Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Isa 33:17
Isa 33:18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
The Receiver is:
Shaqal (h8254) shaw-kal'; a prim. root; to suspend or poise (espec. in trade): - pay, receive (-r), spend, * throughly, weigh.
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall PAY MONEY according to the dowry of virgins. Ex.22:17
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Is.55:2
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price THIRTY PIECES of silver. Zec.11:12
The Tower is the:
Migdal (h4026) mig-dawl'; also (in plur.) fem. megdalah mig- daw- law'; from 1431; a tower (from its size or height); by anal. a ROSTRUM; a fig. a (PYRAMIDAL) bed of flowers: - castle, flower, tower. Comp. the names following
Gadal (h1431) gaw-dal'; a prim. root; prop. to twist [comp. 1434], i. e. to be (caus. make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride): - advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be (-come, do, give, make, wax), great (-er, come to... estate, / things), grow (up), increase, lift up, magnify (-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly [spoken], tower.
Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; Isa 44:24
That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; Isa 44:25
I am the one who shows what liars all false prophets are, by causing something else to happen than the things they say. I make wise men give opposite advice to what they should and make them into fools. Isa 44:25LIV
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. Zec.10:2
Teraphiym (h8655) ter-aw-feme'; plur. per. from 7495; a healer; Teraphim (sing. or plur.) a family idol: - idols (-atry), images, teraphim.
Owth (h226) oth; prob. from 225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (lit. or fig.), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: - mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. Zech 10:3
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col 2:9
And ye are complete (filled) in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2:10
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Col 2:11
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:12
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Col 2:13
Suzoopoieo (g4806) sood-zo-op-oy- eh'-o; from 4862 and 2227; to reanimate conjointly with (fig.): - quicken together with.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Cor 5:18
But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; Deut 30: 17
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. Deut 30: 18
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deut 30: 19
That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Deut 30: 20
PAUL IN ROMANS 10
Rom 10:3 For they, being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Dikaiosune (g1343) dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); spec. (Chr.) justification: - righteousness.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Mt 3:13
But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Mt 3:14
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Mt.3:15
Fulfill: Pleroo (g4137) play-ro'-o; from 4134; to make replete i.e. (lit.) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, * after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), FULLY PREACH, perfect, supply.
Righteousness is:
Dikaiosune (g1343) dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); spec. (Chr.) justification: - righteousness.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Mt 3:16
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
Justified God is to show that God is just and not a liar:
Dikaioo (g1344) dik-ah-yo'-o; from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom 10: 4
For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom 10: 5
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Rom 10: 6
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) Rom 10: 7
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Rom 10: 8
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10: 9
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10: 10
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Rom 10: 11
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10: 12
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 10: 13
Joel:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call (to call out to i. e. prop. address by name) on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. Joel 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joel 2:21
When Peter preached the gospel the people understood that their Messiah had been God in Christ: He had been there and gone. However, by calling on His name at baptism, they could receive all of the benefits of the Messiah:
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
What they MUST DO (future tense) was:
- Then Peter said unto them,
- Repent,
in the name of Jesus Christ [Calling on His Name singular]
- and
- be baptized
- every one of you
- for
- the remission of sins,
- and ye shall receive
- the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
All baptisms were to call on the name of one's Savior or Master Teacher. Therefore, Paul was told:
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Ac.22:16
Peter further informed us that we CALL UPON God's Name at baptism and ask Him to give us A clear conscience or consiousness or A holy spirit:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21
Eperotema (g1906) ep-er-o'-tay-mah; from 1905; an inquiry: - answer.
Eperotao (g1905) ep-er-o-tah'-o; from 1909 and 2065; to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek: - ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
32- But he that knoweth all things knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding-
he that prepared the earth for evermore hath filled it with fourfooted beasts-
33- He that sendeth forth light, and it goeth, calleth it again, and it obeyeth him with fear.
34- The stars shined in their watches, and rejoiced- when he calleth them, they say, Here we be; and so with cheerfulness they shewed light unto him that made them.
35- This is our God, and there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of him
36- He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved.
37- Afterward did he shew himself upon earth, and conversed with men.
Baruch 4
1- This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth for ever- all they that keep it shall come to life; but such as leave it shall die.
2- Turn thee, O Jacob, and take hold of it- walk in the presence of the light thereof, that thou mayest be illuminated.
3- Give not thine honour to another, nor the things that are profitable unto thee to a strange nation.
4- O Israel, happy are we- for things that are pleasing to God are made known unto us.
5- Be of good cheer, my people, the memorial of Israel.
6- Ye were sold to the nations, not for [your] destruction-
but because ye moved God to wrath, ye were delivered unto the enemies.
7- For ye provoked him that made you by sacrificing unto devils, and not to God.
8- Ye have forgotten the everlasting God, that brought you up; and ye have grieved Jerusalem, that nursed you.
9- For when she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, she said, Hearken, O ye that dwell about Sion- God hath brought upon me great mourning;
10- For I saw the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting brought upon them.
11- With joy did I nourish them; but sent them away with weeping and mourning.
12- Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and forsaken of many, who for the sins of my children am left desolate; because they departed from the law of God.
13- They knew not his statutes, nor walked in the ways of his commandments, nor trod in the paths of discipline in his righteousness.
14- Let them that dwell about Sion come, and remember ye the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting hath brought upon them.
15- For he hath brought a nation upon them from far, a shameless nation, and of a strange language, who neither reverenced old man, nor pitied child.
16- These have carried away the dear beloved children of the widow, and left her that was alone desolate without daughters.
17- But what can I help you?
18- For he that brought these plagues upon you will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.
19- Go your way, O my children, go your way- for I am left desolate.
20- I have put off the clothing of peace, and put upon me the sackcloth of my prayer- I will cry unto the Everlasting in my days.
21- Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto the Lord, and he will deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies.
22- For my hope is in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy is come unto me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you from the Everlasting our Saviour.
23- For I sent you out with mourning and weeping- but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for ever.
24- Like as now the neighbours of Sion have seen your captivity- so shall they see shortly your salvation from our God which shall come upon you with great glory, and brightness of the Everlasting.
25- My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God- for thine enemy hath persecuted thee; but shortly thou shalt see his destruction, and shalt tread upon his neck.
26- My delicate ones have gone rough ways, and were taken away as a flock caught of the enemies.
27- Be of good comfort, O my children, and cry unto God- for ye shall be remembered of him that brought these things upon you.
28- For as it was your mind to go astray from God- so, being returned, seek him ten times more.
29- For he that hath brought these plagues upon you shall bring you everlasting joy with your salvation.
30- Take a good heart, O Jerusalem- for he that gave thee that name will comfort thee.
31- Miserable are they that afflicted thee, and rejoiced at thy fall.
32- Miserable are the cities which thy children served- miserable is she that received thy sons.
33- For as she rejoiced at thy ruin, and was glad of thy fall- so shall she be grieved for her own desolation.
34- For I will take away the rejoicing of her great multitude, and her pride shall be turned into mourning.
35- For fire shall come upon her from the Everlasting, long to endure; and she shall be inhabited of devils for a great time.
36- O Jerusalem, look about thee toward the east, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from God.
37- Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.
Baruch 5
1- Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of mourning and affliction, and put on the comeliness of the glory that cometh from God for ever.
2- Cast about thee a double garment of the righteousness which cometh from God; and set a diadem on thine head of the glory of the Everlasting.
3- For God will shew thy brightness unto every country under heaven.
4- For thy name shall be called of God for ever The peace of righteousness, and The glory of God's worship.
5- Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and look about toward the east, and behold thy children gathered from the west unto the east by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the remembrance of God.
6- For they departed from thee on foot, and were led away of their enemies- but God bringeth them unto thee exalted with glory, as children of the kingdom.
7- For God hath appointed that every high hill, and banks of long continuance, should be cast down, and valleys filled up, to make even the ground, that Israel may go safely in the glory of God,
8- Moreover even the woods and every sweetsmelling tree shall overshadow Israel by the commandment of God.
9- For God shall lead Israel with joy in the light of his glory with the mercy and righteousness that cometh from him.
Counter added 1.05.05 6:17p 4000 7.15.11 15000
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