This was updated 5/17/2022.
Often a prisoner writes about their struggles to “get it right” or “feel forgiven” or their struggles with loneliness, among other things they encounter. Here are some words in a letter I wrote back to one prisoner, and I felt led to share with you all as well. Be blessed!
You said there are believers who know the truth but can’t get it right. This is hard to know how to respond to. I myself have made mistakes since I’ve been immersed but I think once we realize those mistakes and we try our best to repent that’s what YHWH wants us to do. Whatever mistakes we’ve made we need to repent, and not look back. We can’t change what we did, but we can change how we deal with things going forward. We have to just give up our desires for our things and our life being the way we want it, and realize we don’t even own our own bodies. Our bodies are property of the Most High, and we are on His time now, not ours. We were purchased, redeemed, and now we are His servants. It is hard sometimes because we battle this flesh, but ultimately if we yield to YHWH’s Spirit then He can help us to put to death the deeds of the flesh. We have to constantly remember Romans 7:18 “in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good”.
A part of us may want to think that “we” are actually good, that underneath all this, there is something positive about “us”. The reality, however, is that any good that is found in us is actually from YHWH and nothing of us to boast. I think once we realize that this flesh is no good, when that temptation comes around or that fleshly thought comes around, it is easier to just say in our mind, “Get away from me you fleshly desire. I am a servant of YHWH and this is His body.”
We have to realize that these fleshly things, whether they are being whispered from the enemy or whether they are somehow still in our heart, are disgusting to YHWH. Our bodies are a temple and we need to treat them as such. They are not our property, they are YHWH’s. We have to separate ourselves from those desires and not identify them as our desires, but as the desires of the flesh. We must follow the leading of YHWH’s Set-Apart Spirit. I also found that after I was immersed in the Name of Yahushua there were many sins I could not overcome that just left me, so I always advise people to get immersed/baptized in the Name of Yahushua.
Sometimes when we may want to feel forgiven, even though YHWH has forgiven our own heart may condemn us. But it is written 1 John 3:20 “that if our heart condemns us, Elohiym is greater than our heart, and knows all.” So even if you don’t feel you can forgive yourself or feel forgiven, that doesn’t mean YHWH can’t or doesn’t forgive you. Get up, rise again, go in the right direction this time, and bear fruit for the Kingdom. Proverbs 14:16 says “For seven times a righteous man falls and rises”, so keep on rising up, repent, confess the sin to YHWH, and bear fruits worthy of repentance. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” YHWH does not lie. His word tells the truth. Trust in His forgiveness.
Yes, it’s amazing because we realize how wrong we’ve done. But just do things differently from here on out. Get rooted in the Word, stay focused with your eyes on the Kingdom, and make everything you do for Him and His Kingdom. He will bless your path and all you do that is devoted to Him Psalms 37:5 “Commit your way to YHWH, And trust in Him, and He does it.”
Every day you get up have a routine that you keep regularly to keep focused on YHWH. Don’t become idle and don’t focus on your own house, but on the House of Elohiym: Haggai 1:9 “When you looked for much, then see, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I would blow on it. Why?” declares YHWH of hosts. “Because of My House which lies in ruins, while each of you runs to his own house.” We are often concerned with our own well-being, our own house, our own dreams, our own desires, our own comfort and pleasure, our own _____ fill in the blank. But what about the House of YHWH? The physical House in ruins and the Spiritual needing laborers in the field to find the lost sheep who are the stones that are part of the building up of the House of Elohiym. There is work to be done, and if things don’t go our way we have to just get on our face sometimes, share with YHWH whatever sadness we feel we are struggling with, and ask Him to heal us, strengthen us, and bear fruit to His esteem, etc., and to overcome what we’re going through. He will help us through it. His word does not return void.
I wrote a study, maybe it was last year or year before, I cannot remember, called “The Fear of Not Being Saved”. Following this letter I will include that study in text format for you.
I understand the need to feel cared for, and I understand loneliness also. I also understand a struggle with feeling forgiven, as YHWH has made me a completely different man than I used to be. This is maybe some reasons why the Father brought me into this kind of service, because even though I’m not confined in prison walls I feel I’ve struggled with some of the things that might result from that and maybe can help others struggling with those things also. I always appreciate the letters sent from brothers in prison and they encourage me. Some of my closest relationships are probably with brothers in prison who I’ve never met. I understand what it feels like to feel alone. I appreciate the prayers and often mention “the prisoners I write to” in my prayers. So, so many prayer needs. People with cancers, people with pains and hurts, people in distraught marriages…. The prayer needs are overwhelming and it is hard to remember them all. Praise YHWH for His mercy. Just hearing you say you all need my letters is itself encouraging because I don’t always know how much I’m needed or where. I’m seeing more and more that those in prison are some of the ones who probably need me the most.
Not sure what else to say for now… but I hope the study below this letter edifies you.
YHWH bless you and keep you. YHWH make His face shine upon you and show favor unto you. YHWH lift up His face upon you and give you Shalom. In the love of our Adon Yahushua HaMashiach
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Study
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The Fear of Not Being Saved
At the beginning or near the beginning of this scriptural year. I shared a study called “Overcome Our Fears”. We were supposed to hear this follow-up study a lot sooner, or at least I had thought, but it looks like now is the time that you will hear it.
I think one of the reasons it has been delayed this long is so that I could have more experiences in relation to overcoming this specific fear myself; and I don’t claim to never struggle with it–but I do feel it is appropriate to share what it seems to me YHWH has taught me as He’s been helping me through this battle. And that’s the first thing we need to remember: In and of ourself, if we were by ourself, and if we had to rely upon OURself… there would be no hope for us. There would be no light for us. There would be no deliverance for us.
But praise be to YHWH for not leaving us alone in the dark; for not leaving us to our abominations we had chosen before we knew of His marvelous light; for pulling us out of the abyss, and breathing into our nostrils the Breathe of Life that we might live.
But before we can discuss overcoming the Fear of Not Being Saved, shouldn’t we have a proper Scripturally-based understanding of what a person is told to do who desires salvation? If we want to know to whom forgiveness of sins is given to, we have only to look to the Scriptures to see what is written. Let’s examine the Scriptures to see what they say. We will refer now to the text from the Tract on WYLH.org about the Good News for a summary on what a person must do to be saved. The Tract reads as follows:
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Tract Text Begins Below Next Line
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Yahushua died for you!
What is your response?
The Law (Torah) and the Prophets and Acts 2:38 shows that you should Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.
Who is Yahushua? What is Sin?
Why do you need forgiveness?
What does it mean to Repent?
What are the consequences of not believing and repenting?
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Who Is Yahushua?
Yahushua is the Son of Yahweh, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who Yahweh sent about 2,000 years ago—the one whom Mosheh (Moses), King Dawiyd (David), YeshaYahu (Isaiah), YirmeYahu (Jeremiah), and other Prophets of Yahweh prophesied would come.
Yahushua died because of our sins, was laid in the tomb, and raised the third day. Yahushua was seen after He rose from the dead by Kepha (Peter), all of the twelve Apostles, over five hundred at one time, Ya’aqov (James), then by all the ones He sent out including Sha’ul (Paul) (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
Who Is Yahweh?
Yahweh — This is the True Name of the Heavenly Father. Yahweh means “He Exists, He Will Exist”.
Yahweh is our loving, gentle, kind, merciful, compassionate, patient, and All-Powerful Creator. Yahweh is the Perfect Father. Yahweh is the same creator who made babies and butterflies. Yahweh is beautiful and Yahweh is magnificent! Yahweh is our gentle shepherd, looking for the lost sheep. Yahweh is Father of the fatherless, and Right-Ruler of the widows. See how Yahweh proclaimed His own name in Exodus 34:5-7. There is only one good: Yahweh!
The name of Yahweh was removed from many English Bibles that we have today. This is very sad because in Exodus 20:7 we learn that the third commandment teaching us how to love Yahweh is to not take the Name of Yahweh in vain. Do you see the Name of Yahweh in your Bible? Or has someone removed it?
We are also warned in Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, and Revelation 22:18-19 to not add or take away from His Word. This is serious to Yahweh!
Now you know the Name of the Father; but did you know that the Father also has a Son that was prophesied to come and save Yahweh’s people?
Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to the skies and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who established all the ends of the land? What is His Name, And what is His Son’s Name, If you know it?
Yahushua — This is the True Name of Yahweh’s Son. Yahushua means “Yahweh Saves, Yahweh is Salvation”. Kings in Yisra’el (Israel) are “Anointed” with oil poured on their head. Yahushua is The Anointed One of Yahweh (Psalms 2:6, Isaiah 61:1-3). [“Christ” (from the Greek Word “Christos”) means “Anointed”]
Yahushua was brought forth from Yahweh (Psalms 2:7). Yahushua is a priest forever according to the order of Malkitsedeq (Psalms 110:4). Yahushua is the Branch, the Vine, the Sprout (Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:15, Zechariah 3:8, 6:11-13, Isaiah 11:1-5, 53:2). Yahushua is the Servant of Yahweh who will bring back Yisra’el to Yahweh (Isaiah 49:5). Yahushua is the Servant of Yahweh who is given as a light to all the nations, all the gentiles (Isaiah 49:6).
Yahushua is the Arm of Yahweh (Isaiah 53:1). Yahushua was despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:2-3). Yahushua has carried our pains, was pierced for our transgressions, and by His stripes, His wounds, His bruises, we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5). We have all, like sheep, gone astray from following Yahweh’s commandments that teach us how to love, and Yahweh has laid on Yahushua the crookedness of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). Yahushua was oppressed and Yahushua was afflicted, and from the transgressions of Yahweh’s people, it came to be that Yahushua was stricken and plagued (Isaiah 53:7-8). Yahushua was appointed a grave with the wrong, and with the rich at His death, upon Yahushua had done no violence, nor was deceit in Yahushua’s mouth (Isaiah 53:9).
But Yahweh was pleased to crush Yahushua. Yahweh laid sickness on Yahushua, that when Yahushua made Himself an offering for guilt, He would see a seed, He would prolong His days and the pleasure of Yahweh prosper in His hand (Isaiah 53:10). He would see the result of the suffering of His life and be satisfied. Through His knowledge, Yahushua makes many righteous, justifying many; and Yahushua bears the crookednesses of Yahweh’s people. (Isaiah 53:11).
Therefore Yahweh gives Yahushua a portion among the great, and Yahushua divides the spoil with the strong, because Yahushua poured out His being unto death, and Yahushua was counted with the transgressors, and Yahushua bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the ones who have failed in some way to follow Yahweh’s perfect Laws that teach us how to love (Isaiah 53:11-12).
You see, even Yahweh’s own people that we read about in the Bible strayed away from Yahweh’s perfect commandments and laws that teach us how to love (read 2 Chronicles 21:11, 2 Chronicles 33:9, and Amos 2:4). Yahweh’s laws teach us two main things:
1) Love Yahweh with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.
2) Love your neighbour as yourself.
Question: What would happen if you had a room full of 30 little children and you told them all, “OK children. All you need to do is love!”?
Answer: After a day or two, some might be hitting each other, stealing each other’s belongings, throwing things at each other, and disrespecting you as well.
Question: How would you teach the children love?
Answer: You would set some ground rules that show them what it means to love. You might make rules like “no hitting”, “share with one another”, “no yelling”, “obey what the adult says”.
In the same way as little children, Yahweh teaches us what it means to Love in His Commandments and Laws. As the perfect Father, Yahweh wants good for us, but we have failed to follow Yahweh’s teachings.
When we fail to follow Yahweh’s commands and laws that teach us how to love, then we are sinning.
Question: What is the result of our sin?
Answer: Death (Genesis 2:17, Exodus 31:14-15, Ezekiel 18:13. Romans 6:23).
We need forgiveness of sins through Yahushua!
BEWARE of Lies, Deceptions, & False Doctrines!
The Law of Yahweh commands that we listen to Yahushua (Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Some people try to say all religions worship the same thing, but that is simply a lie—a deception. There is no other way to be forgiven for sins except through Yahushua!
WARNING! Some people who believe in Yahushua teach others to break Yahweh’s laws. Those who teach this have been deceived. Even though keeping the law doesn’t save us, the law is still righteous and good to do and keep. Yahushua gave a warning about lawlessness! Everyone needs to heed His warnings, listen, and obey! (Matthew 5:17-19, 7:21-23, 23:1-3)
What Is Sin?
Continuing in our discussion about Yahushua and the Law of Yahweh that teaches us to how to love: What is sin according to the Bible?
1) Anything not of faith (Romans 14:23)
2) Knowing to do good and not doing (James 4:17)
3) The breaking of Yahweh’s Law (1 John 3:4)
You see, since Yahweh’s Law is what teaches us as His children how to love, it is a sin to break His Law.
The Power & Authority of Yahushua
After Yahushua gave up His life willingly, He was resurrected on the third day and is now seated at the Right Hand of Yahweh. He is the King of Kings!
All authority in Heaven and in Earth has been given to Yahushua by His Father Yahweh. Yahushua will be coming back again a second time, and He will rule and reign in His Kingdom over the whole world for 1,000 years. Yahushua has been appointed by Yahweh to be the Judge of the Living and the Dead. It is necessary for all of us to truly believe in Him, turn away from sin, and follow Yahushua! He is our Savior!
What Does It Mean To Repent?
Repent means to make the decision to turn away from sin and follow Yahushua. Since it is a sin to break Yahweh’s laws, part of repenting is making the decision to stop breaking Yahweh’s laws also.
What Laws Do I Need To Stop Breaking As A New Believer?
1) Abstain from pollutions of idols – We should not be partaking in idolatrous practices. Yahweh is the only Creator and we should not follow anything else.
2) Abstain from fornication – The only sexual relationship permitted is within a marriage between a man and a woman. Everything else is prohibited.
3) Abstain from things strangled – Any animals we are allowed to eat (Leviticus 11) must be slaughtered properly (look for Kosher certifications).
4) Abstain from blood – Any animals we are allowed to eat (Leviticus 11) must be cooked thoroughly.
According to Acts 15 (where these 4 laws are listed), believers will learn the rest of the laws when they gather on the 7th Day Sabbath. The 7th Day Sabbath is the weekly day of rest when all believers are commanded to rest and gather with other believers.
I Repent! Now What Do I Do?
One of the first things a new believer in Yahushua does is to be baptized (immersed) in water in the Name of Yahushua by another believer in Yahushua.
Immersion under water in the Name of Yahushua is symbolizing us dying with Yahushua as we go down into the water, and then risen to a new life with Him through the faith of the working of Yahweh who also raised Yahushua from the dead.
Then you will receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit that will Help you on your path as you learn more about how to love at the 7th Day Sabbath gatherings!
What Will Happen If I Do Not Believe in Yahushua and Repent?
After you die, you will be resurrected to either:
1) Eternal Life, or
2) Everlasting Punishment.
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The wages of sin is death. We need Yahushua to be forgiven of our sins! Read Matthew 5:17-19, Matthew 7:19-23, Mark 16:16, Luke 13:2-5, and John 3:18 also that speak very seriously about believing, repenting, and being immersed in the name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins!
Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ declares Adonai Yahweh, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wrong, but that the wrong turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Yisra’el?’
You can see that Yahweh does NOT want anyone to die. Yahweh loves you and He wants to see everyone who is doing wrong believe on His Son, Yahushua the Anointed, repent, and be Immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins! Make that decision today! Give your Life to Him!
This life is short, little, and temporary! Believe and follow Yahushua before your time here is up!
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End of Tract Text Above Previous Line
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I hope the above text taken from the Tract on WYLH.org was helpful to understanding the Good News of forgiveness of Sins through belief in Yahushua, repentance, and Immersion in the Name of Yahushua. If you believe in Yahushua as the Anointed (Messiah, Christ), the Son of the Living Elohim (Yahweh), and that he died, was laid in the tomb, and resurrected on the third day, and also chosen to repent, that’s great! If you haven’t yet been immersed in the Name of Yahushua, you may be asking yourself, “Am I not saved until I get immersed?”
Many people ask that question or something similar, basically wanting to know “Is immersion required to be saved?”
What does the Scripture say?
Acts 2:37 “And having heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Kepha and the rest of the emissaries, “Men, brothers, what shall we do?””
Acts 2:38 “And Kepha said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.”
We do see here that when someone asked, “What shall we do?” — that immersion was a part of the answer to their question. So I’m not going to tell you “don’t worry about being immersed” because that would contradict what Kepha (Peter) said here in this verse. If someone asked me “what shall I do?” I’m probably going to answer them the same thing – “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.”
I’m not going to tell them, “Hey you know, don’t worry about getting immersed.” That wouldn’t make much sense, would it? If these were the directions given by Kepha (Peter), and we know Kepha (Peter) knew what persons should do to be saved, then shouldn’t these same directions be given to everyone?
But what if someone can’t get to a body of water? What if you are in prison, or have a terminal illness and can’t get out of bed, or in some other sad situation where you just can NOT get to a body of water to get immersed in the Name of Yahushua. In that case, you are probably still asking yourself, “Is immersion required to be saved? What will happen if I die before I am immersed in the Name of Yahushua?”
Well, I am not going to answer that question for you for a few reasons:
Reason #1) I am not the judge. It is written:
Romans 14:10 “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of the Anointed.”
So there is a judge appointed, and that judge is not me.
Reason #2) In order to judge, Authority To Judge must be given to one. That authority has not been given to me. That authority has been given to our Adon Yahushua the Anointed. Look at the authority given to Yahushua our Adon, the Anointed:
John 5:26 “”For as the Father possesses life in Himself, so He gave also to the Son to possess life in Himself, “
John 5:27 “and He has given Him authority also to do judgment, because He is the Son of Adam. “
John 5:28 “”Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the tombs shall hear His voice, “
John 5:29 “and shall come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have practised evil matters, to a resurrection of judgment. “
John 5:30 “”Of Myself I am unable to do any matter. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own desire, but the desire of the Father who sent Me. “
Reason #3) Authority on land to forgive sins was given to Yahushua. Authority over all flesh, that He should give everlasting life to all whom the Father YHWH has given Him, was given to Yahushua. And, in fact, All Authority has been given to Yahushua in sky (Heaven) and on land:
Matthew 9:6 “But in order for you to know that the Son of Adam possesses authority on land to forgive sins…” He then said to the paralytic, “Rise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Matthew 28:18 “And Yahushua came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in sky and on land. “
Mark 2:9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
Mark 2:10 “But in order for you to know that the Son of Adam possesses authority on land to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic,
Mark 2:11 “I say to you, rise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Luke 5:24 “But in order for you to know that the Son of Adam possesses authority on land to forgive sins…” He said to the man who was paralysed, “I say to you, rise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
John 17:1 “Yahushua said these words, and lifted up His eyes to the sky, and said, “Father, the hour has come. Esteem Your Son, so that Your Son also might esteem You, “”
John 17:2 “as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give everlasting life to all whom You have given Him. “
John 17:3 “”And this is everlasting life, that they should know You, the only true Elohiym, and Yahushua Messiah whom You have sent. “
So, for these above listed reasons, I am not going to answer questions like, “Is immersion required to be saved? What will happen if I die before I am immersed in the Name of Yahushua?” May Yahweh help us all through the leading of His Set-Apart Spirit to do whatever it is we are supposed to do to be pleasing in His eyes. I am not here to judge people, I am just here to share with you, and bring to remembrance to you what is written. What you do with that is your choice. And who is forgiven and who is not forgiven, is not up to me. I am just a fellow servant trying to do my best. We all need mercy, and I don’t want to bring judgement on myself for saying something wrong about this subject or about a person since my understanding is limited. But I will remind you to show you the importance of immersion of the above verses along with the words of our Adon Yahushua and other verses below:
Matthew 3:11 “”I indeed immerse you in water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear. He shall immerse you in the Set-Apart Spirit and fire. “”
Matthew 3:12 “”His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He shall thoroughly cleanse His threshing-floor, and gather His wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff He shall burn with unquenchable fire.” “
Matthew 3:13 “Then Yahushua came from Galil to Yochanan at the Yarden to be immersed by him. “
Matthew 3:14 “But Yochanan was hindering Him, saying, “I need to be immersed by You, and You come to me?” “
Matthew 3:15 “But Yahushua answering, said to him, “Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. “
Matthew 3:16 “And having been immersed, Yahushua went up immediately from the water, and see, the shamayim were opened, and He saw the Spirit of Elohiym descending like a dove and coming upon Him, “
Matthew 3:17 “and see, a voice out of the shamayim, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I did delight.””
When I read this account, my thoughts in regards to my own walk is: “I see what Yahushua did; he got immersed. He set the example for us. The Father delights in Him, and I want the Father to delight in me also. Therefore, I wanted to get immersed.”
Continuing on, here are more related verses to immersion:
Matthew 28:18 “And Yahushua came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in sky and on land. “
Matthew 28:19 “”Therefore, go and make taught ones of all the nations, immersing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Set-Apart Spirit, “
Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to guard all that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Amein. “
Mark 16:16 “”He who has believed and has been immersed, shall be saved, but he who has not believed shall be condemned. “
John 3:1 “And there was a man of the Pharisees, Nakhdimon was his name, a ruler of the Yehudim. “
John 3:2 “This one came to Yahushua by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from Elohiym, for no one is able to do these signs You do if Elohiym is not with him.” “
John 3:3 “Yahushua answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he is unable to see the reign of Elohiym.”
John 3:4 “Nakhdimon said to Him, “How is a man able to be born when he is old? Is he able to enter into his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” “
John 3:5 “Yahushua answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he is unable to enter into the reign of Elohiym. “
John 3:6 “”That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. “
John 3:7 “”Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You have to be born from above.’ “
John 3:8 “”The Spirit breathes where it desires, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”
John 3:9 “Nakhdimon answered and said to Him, “How is it possible for this to take place?” “
John 3:10 “Yahushua answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Yisra’el, and do not know this? “
John 3:11 “”Truly, truly, I say to you, We speak what We know and witness what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. “
John 3:12 “”If you do not believe when I spoke to you about landly matters, how are you going to believe when I speak to you about the skyly matters? “
John 3:13 “”And no one has gone up into the sky except He who came down from the sky – the Son of Adam. “
John 3:14 “”And as Mosheh lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Adam has to be lifted up, “
John 3:15 “so that whoever is believing in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life. “
John 3:16 “”For Elohiym so loved the world that He gave His only brought-forth Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life. “
John 3:17 “”For Elohiym did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “
John 3:18 “”He who believes in Him is not judged, but he who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only brought-forth Son of Elohiym. “
John 3:19 “”And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked. “
John 3:20 “”For everyone who is practising evil matters hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. “
John 3:21 “”But the one doing the truth comes to the light, so that his works are clearly seen, that they have been wrought in Elohiym.” “
Related to the above verse about being “born of water”, this not only makes me think of immersion but also of the following verses:
John 4:10 “Yahushua answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of Elohiym, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me to drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.””
John 4:11 “The woman said to Him, “Master, You have no vessel, and the well is deep. From where, then, do You have living water? “
John 4:12 “”Are You greater than our father Ya’aqov, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?” “
John 4:13 “Yahushua answered and said to her, “Everyone drinking of this water shall thirst again, “
John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water I give him shall certainly never thirst. And the water that I give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” “
John 7:37 “And on the last day, the great day of the festival, Yahushua stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and let him who believes in Me drink. “
John 7:38 “”As the Scripture said, out of His innermost shall flow rivers of living water.””
John 7:39 “And this He said concerning the Spirit, which those believing in Him were about to receive, for the Set-Apart Spirit was not yet given, because Yahushua was not yet esteemed. “
John 19:34 “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and instantly blood and water came out.”
Also the following verses:
John 4:1 So when the Master knew that the Pharisees had heard that Yahushua made and immersed more taught ones than Yochanan –
John 4:2 although Yahushua Himself did not immerse, but His taught ones –
John 4:3 He left Yehudah and went away again to Galil.
I hope the above verses have helped you to see what importance is placed on immersion in the Scriptures.
Remember what Acts 2:38 says again:
Acts 2:38 “And Kepha said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.”
There is a promise here – do you see? The promise for those who have believed, repented, and been immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed for the forgiveness of sins that they would receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.
In response to that, some might ask, “Well, what if I haven’t been immersed in the Name of Yahushua yet? Are you saying I don’t have the Set-Apart Spirit?”
Let’s not jump to conclusions here. Remember what I said before, I’m not here to judge anyone. Also, we see something here in the Scriptures later in Acts:
Acts 10:43 “”To this One all the prophets bear witness, that through His Name, everyone believing in Him does receive forgiveness of sins.” “
Acts 10:44 “While Kepha was still speaking these words, the Set-Apart Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. “
Acts 10:45 “And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Kepha, because the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit had been poured out on the gentiles also, “
Acts 10:46 “for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and extolling Elohiym. Then Kepha answered, “
Acts 10:47 “”Is anyone able to forbid water, that these should not be immersed who have received the Set-Apart Spirit – even as also we?” “
Acts 10:48 “And he commanded them to be immersed in the Name of Yahushua Messiah. Then they asked him to remain a few days. “
What do you see in these verses? In Acts 10:47 this indicates to me that these men had received the Set-Apart Spirit prior to being immersed in the Name of Yahushua the Anointed. As it is written:
John 3:8 “”The Spirit breathes where it desires, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.””
We also see examples where persons had been immersed in the Name of Yahushua but later had prayer for them and hands laid on them and then received the Set-Apart Spirit:
Acts 8:14 “And when the emissaries who were at Yerushalayim heard that Shomeron had received the Word of Elohiym, they sent Kepha and Yochanan to them, “
Acts 8:15 “who, when they had come down, prayed for them to receive the Set-Apart Spirit, “
Acts 8:16 “for He had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been immersed in the Name of the Adon Yahushua. “
Acts 8:17 “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Set-Apart Spirit. “
What I see, then, is exactly what it says in John 3:8 “The Spirit breathes where it desires”. We see examples of people receiving the Set-Apart Spirit both before and after. I do not want to speak beyond what is written on this.
So how do we know if we have the Set-Apart Spirit? How can we be re-assured that we are “saved”?
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us
We can see that even after believing, repenting, and being immersed, and receiving the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit, there IS STILL A BATTLE WITH SIN GOING ON! We STILL may struggle and make mistakes from time to time although we are STRIVING to do what is RIGHT!
Now read all of Romans Chapter 8.
We see in this chapter the difference between “the mind of the flesh” and “the mind of the Spirit”. One of the notable things is in verse 7:
Romans 8:7 “Because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards Elohiym, for it does not subject itself to the Law of Elohiym, neither indeed is it able, “
The flesh would not therefore lead us to be subject to Yahweh’s Laws, but the Set-Apart Spirit would. The enemy might try to attack us, but whom do we obey?
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not rule over you, for you are not under the law but under favour. “
Romans 6:15 “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under favour? Let it not be! “
Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? “
Romans 6:17 “But thanks to Elohiym that you were servants of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of teaching to which you were entrusted. “
Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became servants of righteousness. “
It is also written:
Acts 15:8 “”And Elohiym, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Set-Apart Spirit, as also to us,”
Acts 15:9 “and made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by belief. “
So then, the giving of the Set-Apart Spirit is a witness to us who have been given it. Also it is written:
As you read in Romans Chapter 8:
Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohiym, “
Romans 8:17 “and if children, also heirs – truly heirs of Elohiym, and co-heirs with Messiah, if indeed we suffer with Him, in order that we also be exalted together. “
So we who have received the Set-Apart Spirit have a witness that the enemy cannot take away. And to whom we are obedient to shows which mind we have. Also, read Matthew 7:13-23.
See in verse 20: “”So then, by their fruits you shall know them – “
Read all of John Chapter 17.
Now look at this part of it:
John 17:20 “”And I do not pray for these alone, but also for those believing in Me through their word, “
Don’t you see what happened here? Yahushua prayed for YOU!!!!
That is powerful. Don’t forget it! Yahweh help us all to remember this blessing. His Son Yahushua prayed for US!
The Set-Apart Spirit given to us is a pledge:
2 Corinthians 1:21 “But He who establishes us with you in Messiah and has anointed us is Elohiym, “
2 Corinthians 1:22 “who also sealed us, and gave the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
2 Corinthians 5:5 “Now He who has prepared us for this same purpose is Elohiym, who has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come. “
And also, it is written:
1 John 1:5 “And this is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you, that Elohiym is light and in Him is no darkness at all. “
1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth. “
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahushua Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin. “
1 John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us. “
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “
1 John 1:10 “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. “
So if you sin, repent and confess it to Him. These are promises!
Don’t forget the verses like this which show “this is how we know Him”!
John 13:35 “”By this shall all know that you are My taught ones, if you have love for one another.””
1 John 2:3 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands.”
1 John 2:4 “The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. “
1 John 2:5 “But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohiym has been perfected1 in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”
1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. “
1 John 3:19 “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall set our hearts at rest before Him, “
1 John 3:20 “that if our heart condemns us, Elohiym is greater than our heart, and knows all. “
Notice how in verse 20, it points out how even our OWN HEART can condemn us. Have you felt condemned before by your own heart? 1 John 3:20 reminds us that Elohiym is greater than our own heart. As it is written:
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “
So, if the heart is deceitful, do you or should you trust in it? Trust in the Word of Yahweh and what it says! Do not trust in your heart!
Proverbs 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely is delivered. “
Yahweh help us to trust in Him and His word! Yahweh help us in our weaknesses!
1 John 3:21 “Beloved ones, if our heart does not condemn us, we have boldness toward Elohiym.”
Yahweh help us to not have a heart that condemns us but to have our hearts cleansed by Him so that we have boldness, not being afraid of destruction by Him, trusting in His word, His perfect Love. Yahweh Help us to have our heart cleansed. Read Psalms 51.
Notice it says:
Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O Elohiym, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. “
Pray to Yahweh for deliverance and for a clean heart!
Deuteronomy 4:29 “”But from there you shall seek YHWH your Elohiym, and shall find, when you search for Him with all your heart and with all your being. “
Matthew 7:7 “”Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. “
Luke 11:9 “”And I say to you: ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.”
Luke 11:10 “”For everyone asking receives, and he who is seeking finds, and to him who is knocking it shall be opened. “
Luke 11:11 “”And what father among you whose son asks for bread shall give him a stone, or if he asks for a fish shall give him a snake instead of a fish, “
Luke 11:12 “or if he asks for an egg shall give him a scorpion? “
Luke 11:13 “”If you then, being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father from sky give the Set-Apart Spirit to those asking Him!”
1 John 3:22 “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we guard His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight.”
1 John 3:23 “And this is His command, that we should believe in the Name of His Son YHWSHUA Messiah and love one another, as He gave us command. “
1 John 3:24 “And the one guarding His commands stays in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He stays in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.”
When we become afraid, we must rely on the Words that are written to know what is right. The enemy might try to attack us, but Yahushua has already overcome the world:
John 16:33 “These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”
Read all of 1 John chapter 5 as well. Notice:
1 John 5:4 “because everyone having been born of Elohiym overcomes the world. And this is the overcoming that has overcome the world: our belief. “
And also:
1 John 5:7 “Because there are three who bear witness: “
1 John 5:8 “the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. And the three are in agreement.”
Trust in the Word of Yahweh. Look at your life and your conduct, examine yourself, see whom it is you serve. If you Serve Yahweh, rejoice! For we have a cloud of witnesses, and the enemy cannot snatch us out of His Hand:
Isaiah 50:2 “”When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was My hand too short to redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? See, by My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; their fish stink for there is not water, and die of thirst. “
John 10:29 “”My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. And no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. “
May the Father hold us all in the palm of His hand, guarding us, as we take shelter under His wings. In the Name of Yahushua the Anointed; Amein.