¿FUE JESUS BAUTIZADO PARA DARNOS EL EJEMPLO?

¿FUE JESUS BAUTIZADO PARA DARNOS EL EJEMPLO?

La palabra inspirada de Dios es perfecta y cada una de las profecías que contiene han tenido y tendrán su cumplimiento al pie de la letra. Una de esas tantas profecías es la del profeta antiguo-testamentario Malaquías, en su capitulo numero 4, casi al cierre del la antigua ley mencionando a uno que habría de venir para preparar el camino del Señor, uno que tendría el espíritu de Elías y que haría volver el corazón del pueblo. Aproximadamente unos 400 años después de que esto se dijera aparece Juan el bautista, con todas las características que coincidían con la profecía de Malaquías. Este Juan era hijo del sacerdote Zacarías y de su mujer Elizabeth. Se crió en lugares desérticos hasta el día de su manifestación a Israel (Lc.1:80). Juan era también llamado bautista, no porque perteneciera a la Iglesia Bautista, sino porque era lo que él hacia, perfectamente bien también puede ser mencionado como Juan el Sumergidor, o el bautizador y evitamos que algunos quieran sacar provecho de la traducción para argumentar a favor de la preexistencia de la denominación llamada Iglesia bautista. Hecha la aclaración anterior las escrituras enseñan que “las multitudes salían para ser bautizadas por él” pero Juan se preocupaba por exhortarles que “hicieran frutos dignos de arrepentimiento” (Lc. 7-8). Lo principal en el ministerio de Juan el bautista no era el bautismo sino más bien el anuncio de aquel que vendría detrás de él. Cuando a Juan en una ocasión le preguntaron si era Elias el respondió que no, pero el Señor Jesus dijo que Juan era el Elias que había de venir (Mr. 9:11-13; Mal. 4:5).

Lo principal en el ministerio de Juan el bautista no era el bautismo sino más bien el anuncio de aquel que vendría detrás de él.

Lo principal en el ministerio de Juan el bautista no era el bautismo sino más bien el anuncio de aquel que vendría detrás de él.

Dicho toda esta información importante de entender como base para respuesta a la pregunta anterior, entonces: el bautismo de Jesús fue particularmente para darnos a nosotros el ejemplo? Creo que hay muchos que argumentan que sí, ese fue el propósito aunque creo que desde una argumentación lógica; si el Señor fue para ser bautizado por Juan… sin tener pecados que fueran perdonados, es un hecho que sienta un ejemplo para todas las personas de ese entonces y también hasta las personas de nuestros días que se oponen al bautismo y hasta elaboran un complejo sistema teológico errado  para dejar al bautismo fue de la ecuación del plan de salvación. Sin embargo cuando Jesús fue a Juan para ser bautizado este se opuso y la respuesta del Señor fue “deja ahora porque así conviene que cumplamos toda justicia” (Mt. 3:15). La justicia de la cual estaba hablando el Señor se encuentra conectada con la profecía de Malaquías en el capitulo 4: “Mas a vosotros los que teméis mi nombre nacerá el sol de justicia…” (Mal. 4:2). Este nacimiento de la justicia como el Sol tenía que ver con Cristo y el hecho de que  El era el postrer Adán por quién iba a entrar la vida. Romanos 5:18 lee: “ Así como por la transgresión de uno vino la condenación a todos los hombres, de la misma manera por la justicia de uno vino a todos los hombres la justificación de vida.” (énfasis H.L.M añadido). La Justicia de Dios son sus mandamientos  (Ro. 10:3; 1Ped 3:14 etc). Así que la profecía de Malaquías en el 4:2 era sobre Jesús y el nuevo pacto, la nueva ley también tenía que ver con Juan porque era, a quien  Dios había designado como profeta. El bautismo que Juan practicaba aunque era temporal, era requerido, era mandado por Dios, era justicia y la Biblia enseña con claridad que Cristo no quebrantó en nada el Antiguo Testamento ( Heh 4:15; 2Co. 5:21; 1Pe. 2:22 )El y solo El pudo cumplir a la perfección la ley, para ser ese cordero de Dios sin mancha como lo menciona Juan el bautista (Juan 1:29) siendo el  sacrificio que complacería y aplacaría la ira del Padre para traernos justifican a nosotros. Por lo tanto la razón especifica de su bautismo fue cumplir en todo sentido, todo lo que la ley de Dios mandaba y requería (Mt. 5:17).  Lucas el medico amado en su evangelio registra que el pueblo y los publicanos justificaron a Dios bautizados en el bautismo de Juan, más los fariseos y los intérpretes de la ley  desecharon los designios de Dios respecto de si mismos, no siendo bautizados por Juan. (Lc. 7:29-30). Designios de Dios en este contexto = bautismo de Juan, por esa razón fue Jesús bautizado. Para nuestros días los designios de Dios son un tanto diferente  y se llaman el Nuevo Pacto. Al momento que este pacto entra en vigencia el bautismo de Juan queda inválido, por esa razón el bautismo de Jesús no pude ser un buen ejemplo para ninguno de nosotros, al Igual que el Ladrón en la Cruz no es un ejemplo ideal de como ser salvos hoy. Si usted está en busca de ejemplos para obtener salvación, en la nueva dispensación se encontrará que el libro de Hechos está inundado de esos ejemplos, todos siendo bautizados en agua para el perdón de pecados y bajo la nueva autoridad del Señor Jesús. En Mateo 28:18-20 Jesús reclama tal autoridad y que toda esta autoridad había sido dada a El, por lo tanto el bautismo de Juan fue útil pero en este capítulo ya estaba cumpliendo su ciclo y ahora el Nuevo bautismo iba a ser llevado a cabo en el Nombre del Padre, y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, simbolizando la muerte, sepultura y resurrección del Señor Jesús en cada persona que lo practique (Ro. 6:3-6) ¡que difiere en gran manera al bautismo de Juan!. ¿Entonces, puede usted ahora ver porque Jesús no fue bautizado por Juan con el fin de darnos el ejemplo? Considere en Hechos 19:1-5 entendiendo que esto es registrado ya bajo el nuevo pacto, Pablo encuentra a unos discípulos de Juan que habían sido bautizados con el bautismo de Juan solamente, cuando Pablo se da cuenta que no estaban bautizados en conformidad con la autoridad de Jesús y con el mandamiento dado en Mateo 28 manda que sean bautizados en el nombre del Señor Jesús, es decir bajo la autoridad del Señor Jesús (Regrese a ese momento de autoridad: bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo). Si hay un ejemplo que desea seguir bajo el nuevo pacto este es uno de los mas hermosos. Al darse cuenta que NO estaban completos, no se aferraron a su convicción personal, sino que se sometieron a la autoridad de Jesús. Amigo, hermano en este asunto en particular no podemos seguir el ejemplo de Jesús al ser bautizado por Juan pero lo que sí podemos hacer es con humildad someternos a su autoridad absoluta; tal como Juan el bautista se sometió al plan de Dios, tal como estos discípulos en Hechos 19 se sometieron a la autoridad de Jesus y tal como el mismo Señor estuvo dispuesto a someterse a los designios de Dios al ser bautizado por Juan y ser obediente hasta la muerte y muerte de Cruz (Filp. 2:8-10).  ¿Que está usted dispuesto ha hacer o dejar con tal de someterse a los designios de Dios?. El Señor en el sermón del monte nos aconseja: “Más buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia y todas las demás cosas os serán añadidas.” (Mt. 6:33).

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Do Aborigines Need to Repent?

Do Aborigines Need to Repent?

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Acts 17:30

Who needs to repent?

Who needs to repent?

This verse answers the question sometimes asked, “Will God still judge the people in some third world country or in the deepest darkest jungles of Africa who have never even heard of Jesus?”  God overlooked ignorance of his existence and his will in the past…that past specifically being in the time before Paul said this two thousand years ago…but from the days of Jesus and Paul going all the way up to today and until Christ comes again God commands “all people everywhere to repent.”

This shows the great need for evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Why did Jesus tell us to go to the entire world with the good news?  Because he wants all people everywhere to repent of their sins and turn their lives over to him.  If that was not the case, then why did he give these commands?  Not only that, but why bother to share the gospel with your next door neighbor, much less make the attempt to reach someone on the other side of the planet?  The truth is that God shows no partiality.  If he requires you and me to repent of our sins, believe in his Son, and be immersed in water for forgiveness of sins – and he does (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-39) – then he requires the same of every soul on this planet.

He wants us all to repent, the literal meaning of the word being “to change our minds.”  He wants us to change our minds about our sin.  If we do that, if we stop glorying in our sin but instead feel the godly sorrow he feels over our sin (2 Cor. 7:9-11), then we will turn away from our sin and start living for him.  That in turn will lead to our salvation.

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The Small Things

Have You Overlooked Something?

God’s people had just returned from Babylonian captivity. They had no temple, no priesthood, no altar, and the city of Jerusalem was in ruins. This was far different from the glorious days of the past, and it would have been so easy to be discouraged. The holy city once had a population of hundreds of thousands, but the number of those who returned from captivity was about 50,000. Jehovah knew their thoughts and said to them, “For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)? The intent of His words was to remind Israel that while men might despise small things, our God is the one who has always used “small things” to accomplish His purposes.

“For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)?

“For who has despised the day of small things” (Zech. 4:10)?

The Lord used Gideon’s small army to destroy the Midianites. The massive army of the Midianites had come against Israel with an army of at least 135,000. Gideon, having faithfully followed God’s instructions about reducing the size of his army, came with his army of 300 soldiers. It would have been so easy to “despise small things” which Gideon used. He was outnumbered four hundred and fifty to one. We must learn to not despise small things when God is involved in using them. Had Gideon’s army equaled the size of the enemy’s army and won the battle, men could have given glory to Gideon. Read the story in Judges 7, and when you get to the end, all the glory belongs to God!

The Lord used the widow’s small bottle of oil to feed her son and Elijah for months and months. The prayer of Elijah had shut the windows of heaven and brought devastation on all the people of the land. At God’s instruction, the prophet left Israel and went toward Syria where he met the widow who lived in Zarephath (1 Kings 17). She and her son were dying of starvation, but she took the last oil from her jar and made a cake for Elijah. Miraculously, the oil in the jar kept replacing itself, and the container of flour did not run out until Elijah prayed again. One might despise the small container of oil as insignificant, but God used the small jar to accomplish His work.

The Lord can use the small things you have to accomplish His purposes. You may think you have little which God can use, but you are so wrong. The widow’s two mites have taught millions about giving. The rod in Moses’ hand parted the Red Sea and brought a river of water flowing from the rocks.

Is it possible we have overlooked “small things” we have? We have added souls to the kingdom from those small business cards and booklets available in the foyer. The friendly warmth at Palm Beach Lakes comes from joyful greetings of many members. The House to House labels and the magnetic bumper stickers have lead the lost to Jesus. Think about it. Are you letting God use your “small things” for His purposes?

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Heed the Warnings

Heed the Warnings

My wife and I were born and then spent the vast majority of our lives living in Maine. Maine, where devastating winter “Nor’easters” can deliver blinding “white-outs,” single story snowdrifts, and several feet of snow as well as sub-zero temperatures, all in one, paralyzing, days-long winter punch. Understandably, the local weather reports in advance of such winter weather events, serve a very vital and life-saving purpose, as many New Englanders hear and heed those warnings and head to the stores, making sure they are adequately prepared for the storm. Filling fuel tanks and stocking up on flashlights, batteries, blankets, shovels, bottled water and other food essentials help prepare for their survival in the case of any potentially days-long power outages and/or vehicle failures.

Warnings are there to protect you.

Warnings are there to protect you.

Later on, when we moved to the upper Midwest, we soon discovered the purpose of those personally never before encountered, funny-looking, multiple-mushroom capped telephone poles in town, when their piercing sirens sounded the warning of approaching, severe – and potentially life threatening – weather.

And then, some eight or so years ago when we moved to Oklahoma, we once again encountered a warning sign like we had never seen before. It was posted along the interstate highway we were on, and it read: “Do not drive into smoke” (making us once again wonder what we were really in for). Of course, over time we have come to learn about the devastating and life-threatening effect of summer grass fires in the south and are therefore very grateful for all such warnings.

Just a week ago this past Tuesday morning in “Tornado Alley,” a deadly twister touched down in Elk City, Oklahoma, killing one, injuring others, and leaving many homeless and without power. One reporter commented along the lines that the loss of life could have been a lot worse, had people not heeded the warnings and made the appropriate advance preparations as well as they did.

Warnings. They’re everywhere. And for the most part we are very grateful for them, because heeding their message often results in the prolonging of life/prevention of death. Warnings come in all shapes and sizes: on medicinal, prescription, and pharmaceutical products; in alcohol, tobacco, and food and drug commercials – as well as prominently displayed on much of their packaging; and posted where you work, live, recreate, and just about anywhere else you turn. In fact, it would amaze almost anyone to actually make a point of counting how many warnings they routinely come in contact with, one way or another, each and every day! And many of those warnings are federally and/or locally mandated by law!

So… why is it then, that so many warnings regarding the slightest prolonging of our earthly lives – which are at best but a brief vapor’s breath to begin with when compared with our eternal lives (Jms. 4:14; Psa. 90:4-12) – are so warmly welcomed, eagerly sought after, diligently demanded, and even rigorously required by the laws of the land in many cases, when the far more far-reaching and life-giving warnings from God regarding one’s eternal life, safety, security, and destination, as well as those who then faithfully preach, post, and promote them, often go unwanted, unheeded, and even hated and/or outlawed? Why is it warnings which save lives are seen as wonderful – except when we seek to save people’s eternal lives/souls from literally ‘going to hell,’ by sounding the essential warnings insisted upon by their loving Creator? Why is that? How exactly does that work?

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warning from Galatians 5:19-21: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” that we are viewed as insensitive, unloving, and uncaring people who just don’t want anyone to have any fun? Are those who post weather warnings regarding imminent and deadly earthly storms just insensitive, unloving, and uncaring people because they give you advance notice in order that you may make the appropriate changes and adjustments in order to survive? Of course not!

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warning from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God,” that we are considered as bigots and homophobes? Are those who sound the warnings to evacuate in the face of such life and death situations as hurricane Katrina was, condemned as bay-haters and houseaphobes? Don’t be ridiculous. They are at times considered and celebrated as life-savers!

Why is it when we simply sound God’s warnings regarding such essential elements as: repentance (Lk. 13:3-5) and baptism for the forgiveness or washing away of one’s sins – as well as their subsequent salvation (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:27-41, 22:16; 1 Ptr. 3:21); or God’s eternally-settled in heaven word (Ps. 119:89) of warning instruction regarding the one, biblical, pre-denominational body or church of Christ (Eph. 1:22: 3:8-12, 4:4-6; Ro. 16:16); or the fact that man-made doctrines make any worship based upon them totally vain (Mk. 7:1-13) because the Father is seeking only those who will trust Him enough to worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23-24, 17:17; Acts 2:42); that we are perhaps considered as narrow-minded and legalistic by our denominational friends and family members? Do they disregard the warning labels on prescription drugs as being too narrow, prohibitive, and legalistic as well?

The fact is that warnings that save lives are wonderful. And warnings that save eternal lives and souls are seen as even infinitely more wonderful in the eyes of “Him with whom we have to do” (Hebs. 4:13); with Him who demands that His faithful children keep on warning (Ezek. 3:16-21, 33:7-11; Acts 20:26-32; 1 Thess. 5:12-22). And so, thus shall we do. “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear.

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Life from the Womb…

When Does Life Begin?

The inspired psalmist observed: “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you;” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The prophet Isaiah confirmed: “Listen, O coastlands, to Me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name… And now the Lord says, Who formed Me from the womb to be His servant” (Isaiah 49:1,5)

When James observed that “the body apart from the spirit is dead” (James 2:26), the corollary must also be true in that if the body is living, then the spirit must be present.

After experiencing terrible tragedy, Job asked: “Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bore me?” (3:11). How can something die if it is not first living? In Job 3:13-16, the patriarch listed several formerly-living-but-now-dead people with whom he would have had something in common if he had died in utero. He mentions kings and princes and child who experienced a “hidden untimely birth” (i.e., a miscarriage). Job considered the miscarried child to be in the same category as others who once lived but had died.

It is obvious from the text that God views life to begin at conception rather than birth.

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