Isn't it ridiculous the extremes we will go to in order to justify our own actions?� Our arguing among each other over the obvious is tearing us apart.
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| Baptism:� What In the World For? (cont.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Will Worship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� God warned us of religious practices and attitudes which "have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship" (Colossians 2:23).� Do we worship God according to our will or his? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Do we take the scriptures at face value or expend entire books trying to "spiritualize" and "symbolize" and explain them away?� Why can't we take scriptures at face value?� Why do we have to justify ourselves?� Why can we not see our own arrogance? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Refusing to yield our bodies to the humiliation of baptism demonstrates that we are antagonistic to complete surrender to the example and command of Jesus Christ whom we claim to be our Lord.� BAPTISM IS A TEST FOR STUBBORN HEARTS. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Despite all the mentions of baptism in the New Testament, some people will still say, "But it only takes faith to be saved."� In that case, we need to eliminate hearing the gospel and confession.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Others say, "It only takes the blood of Christ to be saved."� In that case, we need to eliminate hearing, faith and confession.� ���� Isn't it ridiculous the extremes we will go to in order to justify our own actions?� Our arguing among each other over the obvious is tearing us apart. |
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| ����������� The exact moment we are saved, the exact second in time, doesn't matter.� Why not just do it ALL?� Once we've done it all, we know we are saved.� The exact moment of salvation is known to God.� As long as we do it ALL, we can have no doubts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When we are walking or driving near the edge of a dropoff, do we try to see how far from safety and close to the edge we can go?� Of course not.� We do as much as we can to stay away from that edge.� Why tempt our prospects for survival?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Besides, when we leave off one of the things to do to be saved, we are going "....after the commandments and doctrines of men....have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship...." (Colossians 2:22-23, KJV). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Whose will do we worship?� Our own or God's?� Why do we bother to worship God?� Do we not want to be confused by the facts?� Why do we bother to go to church at all?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Are we going to church for the social interaction only?� If so, we don't care what the Bible says.� We're going to do what we want.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Are we going to church to put in our time so God will feel guilty if he doesn't take us to heaven when we die?� If so, we don't care what the Bible says.� We make our own rules.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Are we going to church so we can perform or hear the performances?� If so, we don't care what the Bible says.� It has nothing to do with anything.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Are we going to church because we love ourselves?� If so, we don't care what the Bible says.� We're not interested in loving the Author. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� The Bible is not just a book of stories about Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus.� There are rules in it.� The audacity of God telling us what to do!� But we must remember that God is our Creator and loves us so very much, just like any other parent who gives rules to a child. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Sins are things that we do that will ultimately hurt us.� God does not randomly list things for us to stay away from or things for us to do just to give us a hard time.� As our creator, he knows what will hurt and help us.� He doesn't want any of us to be hurt. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When the apostles were arrested and taken before the ruling body of the Jewish religion, "Peter and the other apostles replied:� 'We must obey God rather than man!' " (Acts 5:29).� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� There are many church leaders who have been educated in the Bible and yet tell us we do not need to be baptized and that some uncaring people are just pressuring us to do that.� After all, they were never baptized, so why should anyone else?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I personally know many people who went to their ministers requesting that he baptize them, and the minister refused, adamantly telling them they didn't need to be baptized.� Could it be that, if they did, they would be telling others that everyone needed to be, including themselves? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� On a call-in religious program just this week, a woman called in to ask about baptism.� The man told her that "those people" believed water saved them instead of Jesus' blood (something "those people" do not believe).� He said that "those people" who believe baptism saves them are lost and she should stay away from them because they were dangerous. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Extreme caution must be given when listening to a person who (1) tells you what other people believe, as though they can climb into their heads and know; and (2) refuses to tell you just what they believe a religious act is for.� We must give ourselves more credit for reading and understanding the Bible for ourselves, and less to getting seminary-trained religious leaders' opinions and calling it gospel. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� First, putting all the educated church leaders end to end around the globe will only give us a multitude of opinions.� Many church leaders do not take the Bible literally.� Many do not believe in the miracles of the Bible.� Many believe that the god of the Buddhists is just as true.� Many believe that the church is more infallible than the Bible.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Secondly, will these educated church leaders judge us at the end of our life?� No.� They, too, will be judged by the same God you and I will be.� We must read the Bible for ourselves.� That is what we will be judged by. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Some will say that their deceased relatives went to church all the time and were never baptized.� Others will say that people in remote parts of the world never had a Bible or never learned to read, so never even knew about Jesus.� In both of these instances we must remember that God knows whether they would have been baptized had they known to. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings....He who does not love me will not obey my teaching....You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 14:23-24; 15:14).� WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DO TO BE SAVED? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| � ��������� Do we only pay lip service to Jesus?� Do we draw the line as to how far we will go?� If God said we must climb cathedral steps one hundred times on our knees to be saved, would we?� If God said we must go without food for twenty days to be saved, would we?� If God said we had to cut off our hand to be saved, would we?� How far are we willing to go for an eternity with the God who loves us? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Is it hard to go against our friends?� You bet it is.� For, as soon as we are baptized, if they are still used to following man's word instead of God's word, they will feel threatened by you and will possibly persecute you. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Look at the persecution of thousands of Christians through the ages for insisting on following the Bible.� Get a copy of FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS and read the detailed descriptions of torturous deaths endured for the sake of following God and not man or look at later chapters in this book. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Even more than that, look at the persecution Jesus went through for you and me....� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� God, I never saw things this way before.� But I can't go back now.� It's too late for me.� I just can't.� Could you forgive me, God?� Just this one thing? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jesus, I Didn't Understand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I didn't understand.� Your flesh.� It was torn for me.� I was the one who should have received the lashing that turned Your back into meat.� And the thorny slivers on the cross.� The slivers that went into Your already shredded back to create gangrene.� The lashing and thorns were supposed to be for me, not You.� And the nails too, Jesus.� The nails too.� How could You go through that in my place? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I didn't understand.� Your nakedness.� They stripped You instead of me.� I was the one who's nakedness should have been exposed, and put on display for the whole world to gawk at and ridicule.� I was the one who was supposed to have been subjected to exposure, enduring both the heat of the day and the cold of that strange noon-time darkness. �How could you have endured this for me?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I didn't understand.� Your blood.� It was shed for me.� If I had been the only sinner in the world, You still would have had to die to free me from hell.� That was my blood that was supposed to be falling off the cross that day, not Yours.� How could You love me that much?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I didn't understand.� Your every breath.� Taken away from You a gasp at a time as You hung there by merciless nails tearing away at your life, rendering your lungs almost paralyzed, piercing Your soul.� Each time You chose to ignore the screaming blood vessels in Your back and the unbearable spasms in Your arms and legs just so You could get just one more taste of breath, that should have been me.� How could You volunteer Your own body to be tortured like that in my place? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I didn't understand.� In the flames of Your fever and the darkness of my sins, You descended to a horrible place where God does not go.� Completely forsaken by Your God.� Completely deserted by Love.� Not because You simply bore my sins, but You actually became my sins.� How could You, who struggled a lifetime to make sure You never sinned, become exactly what You hated for me?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I did not understand.� All my little lies, little things I took home accidently and kept, the strangers I never encouraged, the friends I never shared my love for You with, my arrogance in not following you.� Oh, Jesus, I am so ashamed.� How can I ever make it up to You?� How can I tell You how sorry I am? �I want to see You face to face and tell You how much I love You.� How can I convince You to let me do that? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus personally replies, "I am the resurrection and the life.� He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25).� Oh, Jesus, say no more!� I do believe that You are the Son of God!� I do believe!���������� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus personally replies, "Unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3).� I'm so glad You said that, Jesus!� I truly am sorry for all those sins I have committed that caused You to die! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus personally replies, "Whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:31f).� Well, isn't it enough that I believe?� Do I have to get my friends involved?� If I told them I believed in You, they'd kill my reputation.� Are You sure, Jesus? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus personally replies, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:15).� "Jesus came...to be baptized....'It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness' " (Matthew 3:13-15).� Oh, Jesus, I wish you hadn't been baptized and said I needed to be also.� My friends and pastor tell me I don't need to be.� I know they didn't die for me, but surely they wouldn't steer me wrong.� Please, Jesus, not that!� Please.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Would it be okay, Jesus, if I just do the first two - believe and repent?� Everyone says that's all I have to do to please You.� I'll even throw in the third one and tell a few of my friends what You've done for me because I believe in You.� But the last one.� I know You Yourself said to, but I just couldn't!� Please, spare me that!� Please, Jesus!� It would kill me.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Punishment or Privilege? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� How many people have you met over the years who said they thought they were Christians?� But later in their lives they decided they hadn't been, but now they knew for sure they were Christians?� Then later in their lives they decided they hadn't really been Christians then either, but now they knew for certain they were Christian?� What uncertainty must torture their soul! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I have talked with several wives who have said they were astonished when their husbands said they'd like to become Christians.� These husbands had been going to church with their wives sometimes as long as 25 years.� "I always thought he was a Christian," the wives would tell me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� R. L. Coleman day after day mourned for his sins at church in hopes of receiving that assurance of salvation he had been taught to expect.� He knew he was willing to be saved, but he had no assurance that he was saved, and remained unable to give any reason why he did not enjoy this assurance.� After a couple of years, he quit going to church completely.� Still uncomfortable and unhappy, he remained at home to read the Bible and pray.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Finally he went to hear a visiting preacher who quoted from the Bible scriptures about baptism.� As soon as Mr. Coleman was baptized, he felt completely released from his old sense of guilt.� He realized that his sins had been washed away in the blood of Christ, and that of this he had received, in baptism, the assurance he had so long sought in vain.� From that moment his former anxieties and fears for ever disappeared. [25] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� John Rogers had earnestly sought for some time that "religious experience" which was supposed to be conversion, and which apparently had been obtained by some of his friends.� Not feeling assured, his friends exhorted him to pray on, which he did, still hoping for some inexplicable, palpable or sensible manifestation by which he would "know his sins forgiven."� Finally he read about baptism in the Bible, and not a religious experience or a sinner's prayer.� Once baptized, he never doubted his salvation again. [26] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Walter Scott explained that he had been "tossed on the waves of uncertainty, laboring, praying and striving to obtain saving faith - sometimes desponding and almost despairing of ever getting it."� After a long struggle, he at length obtained peace of mind in a retired wood to which he had resorted with his Bible. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Then he decided to become a minister.� "About this time my mind was continually tossed on the waves....Clashing, controversial theories were urged by the different sects with much zeal and bad feeling.� No surer sign of the low state of true religion.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� "From this state of perplexity I was relieved by the precious word of God."�� He spent time reading about baptism and decided that is what he had to do.� Immediately after his baptism he experience a happy relief from the illusive hopes and fears based on frames and feelings, which for several years had been all he had been taught regarding assurance of salvation. [27] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Another man, a Dr. Wayland, explained, "I had marked out for myself a plan of conversion in accordance with the prevailing theological notions.� First, I must have agonizing convictions, then deep and overwhelming repentance, then a view of Christ as my Saviour, which should fill me with transports, and from all this would proceed a new and holy life.� Until this was done, I could perform no work pleasing to God and all that I could do was abomination in his sight.� For these emotions, then, I prayed, but received nothing in answer which corresponded to my theory of conversion." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Then, upon concentrating on what baptism does for sinners as explained in the Bible, he was baptized and received that elusive knowledge (not sense, but knowledge) of relief. [28] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Why do we continue to dodge the outward sign God provided for us so that we and everyone around us can know assuredly that we made a conscientious decision to become a Christian?� It is not only hard on us; it is hard on our families. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� What a wretched life! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Living in a nation with Christians does not automatically make us Christians, any more than living in a nation with Boy Scouts automatically makes us a Boy Scout. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Living in a family with Christians does not automatically make us Christians, any more than living in a family with Boy Scouts automatically makes us a Boy Scout. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Owning a Bible does not automatically make us Christians, any more than owning a Boy Scout handbook automatically makes us a Boy Scout. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Showing up at church services once a week does not automatically make us Christians, any more than showing up at Boy Scout meetings once a week automatically makes us a Boy Scout. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� It is not automatic.� It is not by osmosis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� There is a way to know for sure!� Just as we have to contact the headquarters of the Boy Scouts to do what it tells us to do to become a Boy Scout, we have to contact the headquarters of Christians to do what it tells us to do to become a Christian. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Where is the headquarters for Christians?� It is not on earth.� It is in heaven.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.� Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, AND teaching them to obey everything I have COMMANDED you.� And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Why be baptized?� So we don't have to guess when we became a Christian.� Some will surely say it doesn't matter when we become a Christian.� It apparently does to Jesus.� Whose opinion do we prefer - man's or Jesus'?� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Dear reader, if you still do not believe a person needs to be baptized, then WHAT IS BAPTISM FOR?� Stop right now and answer that question.� And WHY IS IT IN THE BIBLE?� Stop right now and answer that question also. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Let us view baptism for what it is.� Baptism� is the HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF IMITATING WHAT JESUS DID FOR US! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� God describes it beautifully through his apostle Paul:� "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?� We were therefore buried WITH HIM through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, WE TOO MAY LIVE A NEW LIFE" (Romans 6:3-4). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� If we consider baptism a punishment by God and too humiliating to go through, then we are still one step away from admitting that we are the ones who deserved to die and be buried - not Jesus.� God said that if we recognize that fact, then symbolically we can die with Jesus.� We can be with Jesus up on that cross.� How do we die?� We die to our sinful nature (Romans 6:6-7), that part of us that sins and doesn't care. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Then, just as Jesus was buried, we have the honor and privilege of being buried with him symbolically in the water. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Then, just as Jesus was raised to live forever the Savior, we are raised to live forever the Saved Ones. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� What a privilege!� How can we even think of holding back?� This is when our souls can become one with Jesus! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� So, as the Apostle Paul was told at his own conversion, "And now what are you waiting for?� Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh God, I think in the back of my mind I was always curious about baptism, but my family would have disowned me if I'd brought it up.� My church too.� How could they have been wrong?� They loved you so. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Act of Worship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I have seen numerous baptisms through the years, and heard of many others.� I've seen them in public and private.� I've seen them in lakes, rivers, swimming pools, baptismal fonts.� I've heard of people being baptized in wells, water troughs, bath tubs, saunas.� I have seen people baptized by being laid back in the water by the baptizer, and I have heard of people baptized by stooping and being gently pushed on their head until they were immersed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I've seen baptisms surrounded by fear, excitement, tears, laughter.� I've seen people come up out of the water laughing.� I've seen people come up out of the water crying.� But no one ever came up out of the water with a ho-hum attitude. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I recall one young lady who decided she wanted to be baptized, but was deathly afraid of water.� She even showered instead of bathing, she was so afraid of water.� So we, her close friends, promised to stand close to her and pull her out of the water ourselves if she was held under too long.� We even offered to get in the water with her.� She said that was too dangerous; she'd prefer we stay on firm footing.� So we stood on the floor in front of the baptistery, our arms outstretched to her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When she came up out of the water two seconds later, she was overjoyed.� She was willing to go through something so fearful that she thought she might die, just to be baptized. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I recall a young man who decided he wanted to be baptized where the church was meeting in a school.� So a vat of some kind was rushed out onto the stage on rollers.� It was filled with water.� The young man got in, and someone guided him with his immersion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When he came up out of the water, he raised both hands in triumph and the entire congregation stood and let out a shout of victory that would have dwarfed the roars of the crowd at the most exciting football game ever.� You couldn't stop them from clapping and shouting.� It went on and on.� It was a victory!� One more victory over Satan!� One more symbolicly dead, then raised to live for ever!� One more for God! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Victory above all victories! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Where you worship, why not offer an invitation to the worshippers toward the end of your service to become Christians?� Why couldn't someone stand up and read about one of the first century Christians and what they did?� Or read about the many explanations of baptism given in the New Testament?� Then tell people in your crowd, "What are you waiting for?� Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins!" just like the Apostle Paul was told. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Perhaps your congregation can then stand and begin singing a song of encouragement so people walking forward to be baptized don't feel conspicuous.� Or sit in silence with your eyes closed, allowing time for people to think and make their decision, praying as you wait for them.� Or even turn to the person to your left or right and say, "Have you been baptized?� Would you like to be?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Early Christians were baptized every day of the week and under every circumstance.� So, whenever your congregation meets, ask people, "Would you like to be baptized right now?� Why wait?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Don't have one certain Sunday of the year or month set aside for baptisms.� Allow each person the opportunity to be baptized immediately.� As Paul was told, "What are you waiting for?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� I have known many people decide to be baptized after a private study in their home.� In that case, it is the same question, "What are you waiting for?"� They were baptized within the hour.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� On the first day of the church's existence when 3000 people were baptized, they were all baptized the same day.� "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number [the church] THAT DAY" (Acts 2:41). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When Philip taught the Ethiopian eunuch riding along in a chariot, "as they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water.� Why shouldn't I be baptized?� And he gave orders to stop the chariot.� Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him" (Acts 8:36-38). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When the future Apostle Paul was taught by a simple Christian named Ananias (he didn't even have a title in the church), Ananias healed Paul of his blindness. �But Paul still had something else he had to do and wouldn't even eat until he did it.� "Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's [Paul's] eyes, and he could see again.� He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength" (Acts 9:18-19). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When Peter went to another town to teach Cornelius, "the following day he arrived in Caesarea.� Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends....So he ordered they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.� Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days" (Acts 10:24, 48). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When Paul taught Lydia and her household, "we sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there [riverside]....When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home" (Acts 16:13-15).� They did not go home until they were baptized. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� When Paul and Silas taught their jailer they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.� Then they spoke the word [so they'd know what to believe] of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.� At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized" (Acts 16:31-33). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Never postpone anyone's baptism.� Once they know what to do and have thought about their sins and really asked God to forgive them, let them be baptized immediately. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Do they have to be baptized by an ordained minister?� If so, the Apostle Paul did not practice what he preached.� The Apostle Paul was baptized by a man who was identified only as "a disciple" (Acts 9:10).� Besides, if we did insist on being baptized by an ordained minister, what if we found out later that minister was committing some terrible sins and was about to leave the church, or that minister believed Buddhist was just as holy as Jesus?� In that case, our baptism would be invalid.� How many of us truly know the heart of another person? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Our baptism does not depend on who baptizes us.� It depends on the fact that we were baptized. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� So, in the case of people who are baptized privately, when they arrive at worship the first time, it should be announced and people should be given an opportunity right then to go to him/her and give them a hug or shake their hand and congratulate them.� Special prayers should be offered on their behalf. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Further, their address should be shared unless they insist it not be (I've never seen that happen or heard of it in 50 years), so the members can follow up with notes, cards, letters of encouragement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Baptism should be a special celebration.� It should be a day each person never, ever forgets.� I heard of a tombstone that read something like this:� John Doe.� Born August 21, 1939.� Reborn April 27, 1978.� Died - He didn't. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Oh, Jesus, I fall at your feet.� Forgive me.� I didn't understand.� I want to be baptized.� I want to follow your example.� If it meant enough for you do it, I want to also.� Forgive my putting it off all this time.� Forgive my arrogance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Century Church Accounts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Ignatius wrote about 90 AD in his Epistle to Polycarp, v. 6: "Let your baptism abide with you as your shield; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as your body armour.� Let your works be your deposits, that ye may receive your assets due to you." [29] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� A collection of miscellaneous writings called Didache 9,written about 100 AD, says, "No one is to eat or drink of your eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord.� For also concerning this the Lord has said, 'Do not give that which is holy to the dogs.' " [30] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Justin Martyr wrote in his Apology I, 65 about 150 AD, "After we thus wash [baptize] him who has been persuaded and agreed entirely with our teachings, we take him to the place where the brethren have gathered together yo make fervent prayers in common on behalf of themselves and of the one who has been illuminated in baptism and of all others everywhere.� We pray that we who have learned the truth may be counted worthy and may be found good citizens through our works and keepers of his commandments so that we may receive the eternal salvation.� When we cease from our prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� "Next there is brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of water mixed with wine.� Taking these he sends up praise and glory to the Father of all through the name of his Son and of the Holy Spirit and makes thanksgiving at length for the gifts we are counted worthy to receive from him.� When he completes the prayers and thanksgiving, all the people present sing out their assent by saying 'Amen.'....give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water for which thanksgiving has been given, and they carry some away to those who are absent." [31] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS CHAPTER, YOU ARE WELCOME TO JOIN OUR DISCUSSION GROUP. |
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| Addendum I: Baptism of Infants | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Some people, in their enthusiasm for baptism, have decided to baptize their babies.� It certainly does not hurt a baby to be baptized since the baby has no idea what is going on.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Some people do it as a way of dedicating their baby to God.� Others do it for the baby's salvation.� The clergy knows that when these babies grow up, they tend to feel affiliated with their particular denomination.� The baptism is a kind of down payment toward having that person in adulthood also. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Because baptism does not really hurt a baby, this topic is not part of the main chapter.� But for those interested in investigating it, some food for thought follows.� The reasoning given by church leaders for baptizing infants is that it is a Christian substitute for Jewish circumcision.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� To be consistent, babies must be baptized on the eighth day and can only be boys.� And, everyone who works for that family must also have their baby boys circumcised or be fired.� (See Genesis 17:12,13). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� The only time baptism is mentioned in connection with circumcision is this [capitals mine]: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, NOT with a circumcision done BY THE HANDS OF MEN but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM and raised with him through YOUR FAITH in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.� He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code [Old Testament] with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:11-14). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� This scripture refers to someone with faith and a form of circumcision not performed by men, which would eliminate babies and baptism which is performed by men.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Further, whenever the apostles argued with Jewish Christians not to circumcise their babies as a religious rite, never did he tell them to baptize their babies instead (Acts 15:1-21; 1 Corinthians 7:17-20; Galatians 2:3-5; 5:1-12; 6:12-16). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Never in the scriptures is there a story saying directly that a baby was baptized.� None.� Preachers who practice this will say it is inferred when entire households were baptized.� But if you investigate these, you will find those entire households also believed.� Can infants believe? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� The scripture most cited for infant baptism is in the Old Testament where David said in Psalm 51:5, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� David had just had to admit he had committed adultery and she was now pregnant.� It nearly killed him.� And while he was at it, he referred to the adulterous situation under which his lineage was born, as though "It has happened again." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Why?� Because Deuteronomy 23:2, part of the Law of Moses David lived under, says, "No one born of a forbidden marriage nor any of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, even down to the tenth generation."� What was a forbidden marriage?� Among others, it was one between a father and daughter-in-law (Leviticus 18:15).� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Genesis 38 says that Judah's son married Tamar and then died.� But for various reasons, his brothers refused to carry on their deceased brother's name as commanded in Deuteronomy 24:5-10.� So she dressed up like a prostitute, and when Judah, newly widowed, saw her, he went to bed with her.� As a result, she had an illegitimate son named Perez, David's ancestor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Matthew 1:3-6 gives the lineage of David.� Counting the generations between Perez and David reveals it to be ten generations (remember Deuteronomy 23:2 regarding this?).� In this sense, David was conceived in sin.� (And, by the way, it was his son, Solomon of the 11th generation who built the temple.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� All babies and little children are as saved as adult Christians.� Hebrews 1:14 says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"� And Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:10, " 'See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.� For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.' "� Did he say only baptized children?� Never. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Further, Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."� He did not say, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to children after they are baptized.� He said the kingdom of heaven right now belongs to them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ����������� Never did David believe a baby was doomed to hell.� This psalm was written when he found out Bathsheba was pregnant by him outside of wedlock.� The account of that event is in 2 Samuel 11 and 12.� After the baby was born, he got sick and died seven days later, too early to be scripturally circumcised.� Did David believe his uncircumcised baby went to hell?� No.� He said, "'Can I bring him back again?� I will go to him, but he will not return to me' " (2 Samuel 12:23).� | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Endnotes For this Page | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [25].� Richardson, Robert, Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. II, pg. 314-316 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [26].� Richardson, Vol. II, pg. 374-376 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [27].� Richardson, Vol. II, pg. 206-220 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [28].� Richardson, Vol. II, pg. 113-115 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [29].� Ferguson, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [30].� Ferguson, pg. 93 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| [31].� Ibid., pg. 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||