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Five Themes of intitiation
from White's book Introduction to Christian Worship
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Union with Jesus Christ
-gal 3:27 For as many of you have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ
Baptized into Christ Jesus’ death- of material sense confined to flesh- where impurities of flesh are purified. Find ourselves absent from the body, with pure in heart can see God, present with God. Walking in newness of life with Christ. both on earth obedient to commands, and faithful to One in heaven
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Incorporation into church
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body
Baptized, “soul” cleansed of carnal, into one body. Uniting with Jesus’ church, recognizing Christ and walking as disciple. We unite with church as we are new-born of Spirit, reach Life which is Truth by bringing forth fruits of love (cast error, heal sick)- through one God, infinite good, man is one: showing true brotherhood.
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New Birth
-1 Pet 1:3 through Jesus’ resurrection God gave us new birth
Jesus’ resurrection showed that God, good, is triumphant over evil, that there is a probationary period to prove that man can be victorious over death, can live life of Spirit. Our new birth, not from human will/false sense of generation, but out of dream of corruptible wholly spiritual. This subdues unnatural enmity of mortal man to God. Finding that being emanates Soul, (in Him we live and move and have our being), having a spiritual foundation for the affections which enthroned Son of man in Father’s glory
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Forgiveness of Sins
acts 22:16 baptized and have sins washed away
Baptism is purification of “soul”/sense. purifying mind to have same as Christ. Destroys all old man, so we can be absent from body (flesh/error/matter) and present with Lord. through tears of repentance- wash away motives for sin. Love leaving self for God
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Recieve Holy Spirit
Acts 2:38 - repent and be baptized, sins forgiven, “and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
Heb 6:4 - “enlightened”/“illuminated”
1 cor 6:11 - “sanctified”
after repent and baptism for freedom from sin, influx of divine Spirit, of the Holy Ghost (Comforter, Christ, divine idea of God) came by witnessing Jesus work, death, resurrection, ascension. This enlarged understanding of divine Science- with a spiritual interpretation of Jesus’ teaching, and a faint concept of Life which is God.
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