Tithing, Baptism, Fasting
Just a few more words on the practice of tithing and baptism that it might be unmistakably clear what that good and perfect will of God is. As God the Holy Ghost had you to understand through a previous letter, the practice of tithing was a part of the Levitical priesthood system under the Old Covenant. Jesus placed no great burdens on his people and his disciples and commanded them to obey all that the Pharisees bade them excluding hypocritical and lying practices, Matthew 11:28-30, 23:1-8. Christ was gathering the last of the Jews of the old system under the peculiar commandments of the Old Covenant, so Peter and the rest of the twelve stayed at Jerusalem to phase out the gospel of circumcision for those Jewish babes who needed milk.
Brethren, we are not under the gospel of circumcision, nor do we, henceforth, have a veil over our hearts when we read the Old Testament, II Corinthians 3:11-15 and Galatians 3:23-25; I Timothy 1:7-9. But as it is written, the veil is henceforth removed, Song of Solomon 5:7 and Isaiah 25:6-8; Habakkuk 1:13. Brethren, you are those watchmen in the name of the Lord and the Holy Ghost, Isaiah 58:1, 62:6-7; II Timothy 4:4-5, and I Peter 5:2. Now, we are the gospel of uncircumcision, that is, under the leadership of God the Holy Ghost, the left hand of power of the Almighty, John 14:16, 16:13; Romans 8:16; I John 2:27, and I Corinthians 7:17-24. Now even as I am obedient to God the Holy Ghost by writing to you what is commanded me, so must you be.
Concerning the tithing, look at Numbers 18:24-28. Tithes is food and not money. You may say, "Well how do we conclude this, brother"? The answer is simple. Money was used in those days, and during certain Jewish Holy Days money was assessed the people and given to the priests, but this was a price on their souls, not for tithes, Exodus 30:11-16; Deuteronomy 16:16-17. Now we are already bought with a price for our souls, and Jesus paid that debt, I Corinthians 6:19-20. How many of our brethren do you know who are throwing other brethren out of their assemblies because they fail to make the "big pay- off"? Tithes per se is food for priests under the Old Covenant! In the days of Christ we know money was used but rarely for paying tithes. Only the poor who had no food substance used it! Matthew 23:23; Luke 21:2. How many of you recall Christ ever taking a collection? We have this record though, Matthew 6:1-4, 10:8, 11:4-5; Luke 9:58; I Corinthians 9:16-18; II Corinthians 8:9. That last scripture is a corrupt tradition passed on to ministers in need of understanding who continue this, Amos 4:4-5. Here is what Jesus thinks of this, Matthew 15:7-9. Brethren, woe unto you, if you do not preach the truth on this matter, James 5:1-3. I f you feel you must pay tithes, then have yourself and your brethren buy your priest's groceries, but, as for my Priest, he says Psalms 50:7-15. He pays me tithes! Isaiah 55:1-4.
Now on baptism, the point is very clear that under the Old Covenant a water bath, which is what baptism means, was a part of the law of purification along with "sprinkling," Numbers 19 chapter, Matthew 8:22; James 2:26. John the Baptist told you plainly that the baptism of Christ is done by the Holy Ghost, our Commander, Matthew 3:11-12. Now who baptized John the Baptist? You know the man's life in this world, that he was a Nazarite and was alone with God in the wilderness, until God sent him out. No man put him in water and baptized him, Mark 11:29-30; I Corinthians 1:13-17.
Concerning fasting, people erred under the Old Covenant as to the meaning of a fast. In carnal terms, we have the story told by Brother Isaiah 58:3-10. But with Christ, fasting is done away with, Mark 2:19-22; John 9:5. With God the Son gone, the Holy Ghost is the light of the world, and his disciples do not fast, even as the twelve when with Christ. Because the Holy Ghost is with us abiding forever, fasting the way men do is obsolete and Old Covenantish. New wine must be put in new bottles, John 15:3. Some of you need the Holy Ghost to baptize you, as well as to look for his leadership alone! With the Holy Ghost, you need no man to teach you, unless you are a babe needing milk, I John 2:27, and Isaiah 28:9-14; Hebrews 5:12-6:3. Now for the babes, Paul wrote concerning sacrament, I Corinthians 11:20-30. But if the Spirit of Christ has come to you already (Holy Ghost) you need not do this thing. For those among you who can eat strong meat, this is the word, John 4:10-24, 6:31-67. Now Christ is both the bread and wine. This is parabolic and spiritual, not carnal, Psalms 138:2; Matthew 4:4; John 1:1-5, 4:23-24, 6:63, 17:17. God cannot be worshipped with shewbread or crackers baked by men's hands, but in spirit and truth, Psalms 50:8-14; Acts 17:25; Revelation 14:6-7. God the Holy Ghost did not command you to go back to carnality and weakness, nor did Christ who is sitting at the right hand of the Almighty in the seventh heaven. You who do these things are yet carnal in part, Colossians 2:19-23, especially fasting.
You can gain much by not going to men or to vain denominational church by-laws and decrees after the tradition of men. Paul is your perfect example, Galatians 1:15-16. Stop flouting and boasting in other men's labors taught to you by men in times of darkness, II Corinthians 10:15-16. Do not go to a single man that breathes on the face of this earth for guidance from now on, II Corinthians 5:15-17. Call on God for guidance from now on; you do not need amening from men, Luke 6:26, 11:2-13, 16:15; John 5:41-44, 12:32. If you have any questions about anything written in these letters, ask God about it. He will speak to you by dream-visions as it is written, Amos 3:7; Acts 2:16-21. But pay heed to him that speaks, Hebrews 4:7-12, 10:29-31. Remember, Psalms 23:5, that God will give you his truth by dream-visions right in front of the devil's eyeballs. Believe not every spirit, Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 12:25-30; I John 4:1.