Baptism is Not Enough

Baptism is Not Enough

The late James Bales, in his book The Hub of the Bible, entitled the fifteenth chapter as “Baptism Is Not Enough.” To a church that is continually stressing the need to be baptized for the remission of sins, it might be puzzling to consider that there is something more that is needed. Nonetheless, more there is and blessed are those who realize this fact.

Grace, Faith, Baptism... is there more?

Grace, Faith, Baptism… is there more?

In the second chapter of Acts, Peter and the other apostles preached the first sermons of the Christian era. Their Spirit-guided words pricked the hearts of the crowds concerning guilt and sin so that they asked, “What shall we do?” (2:37). As we know, these believers were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (2:38), along with many other words of exhortation and instruction (2:40). Many heeded the Divine commands and about three thousand became Christians that day. But they were not through!

Baptism may be called the “door of the church.” It is the portal by which one goes from outside to inside the church. Belief and repentance are the stoop and porch leading to the house of God. Paul told the Galatian brethren that they had been baptized into Christ, indicating that they were now inside the house of God (Gal. 3:27; 1 Tim. 3:15). Under this figure, do we now wander aimlessly about with no purpose nor plan? When we’re tired of being inside, no longer thrilled with the experience, do we walk back out the door? Surely there is something for the newborn in Christ to accomplish which suggests that being baptized into Christ is not an end but a beginning.

Being “born again” is a phrase which does indeed suggest a beginning. When we are converted, we put off the old man of corruption and put on the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). While we may feel like the same person (and undoubtedly in many respects we are), there must be some aspects of our lives that are different, indicated by our willingness to repent as a part of conversion, a term indicating change from our old ways to God’s new ways. It is necessary that we learn how to live as a part of God’s family, for we rise from the watery tomb infused with neither great knowledge nor wisdom. But we can rise with great desire.

Baptism was not enough for the converts on Pentecost. It is not enough to begin a godly life, for one must continue. The writer noted that these 3,000 converts “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Notice how these early Christians continued. It was not sporadically, or when they could slip out from work, or avoid confrontation with their spouses, etc. They continued their Christian journey steadfastly . First, they continued to learn from the apostles, gaining understanding of spiritual principles essential to form the Christian character. Later in life the venerable Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). We must continue to learn God’s wonderful teachings, and let them influence our thoughts and actions.

Second, they continued steadfastly in fellowship. The term “fellowship” was used to express a relationship involving sharing and communing. Certainly the early brethren shared time in worship, shared material resources, and shared time in one another’s company. Each had entered fellowship with God, Christ and the Spirit, and so had entered fellowship with other Christians. They were a part of a spiritual family! We should so see ourselves. The Hebrews writer said that we should not sin in forsaking the fellowship of the spiritual family found in our worship assemblies on Sunday mornings and evening, and Wednesday evenings. More, we should seek opportunities to be together outside the worship assemblies, sharing our lives and common pursuits.

Third, they continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread. I know of no one who does not continue steadfastly in the breaking of bread for nourishment, so that is not what the record emphasizes. They continued to acknowledge the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior through the Lord’s Supper.

Fourth, they continued steadfastly in prayers. Since prayer is our means of communicating with our Father, these brethren, no doubt together and individually, actively continued this practice. There are proper and improper ways to pray, so the child of God would do well to consider the prayers of Jesus and the apostles in order to know what to pray for, and how to frame acceptable prayers.

When the brethren today continue steadfastly in these particulars, they continue the journey begun at conversion, and they continue to be influences for Christ in their homes and communities. When brethren fail to continue steadfastly in these particulars, they cease to grow spiritually and to be a blessing to others. Baptism is not enough!

Posted in Sam Willcut | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Baptism is Not Enough

Narrow Minded?

Narrow Minded or a Triumphalist?

“It’s so easy to become narrow minded. So easy to become triumphalist in our own approach in our own religion that to be aware of the way that God expresses Himself in so many languages is essential to becoming Christian” – Preacher, The Church of Conscious Harmony

Are you narrow minded? Not accepting all beliefs?

Are you narrow minded? Not accepting all beliefs?

I heard the above statement on an audio file on the Internet. Several people that I personally know have, evidently, given themselves over to this particular “church” (which really looks more like an eastern cult, in my opinion) and the philosophies that it espouses. I’m writing these things to rebuke the madness of the person who made this statement and to warn those who listen to him to take heed lest they follow in the same path of ignorance. So, in the next few paragraphs, I want to analyze what has been said here and see what can be made of it. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Let’s examine these ideas and see if they are worth believing.

First, the speaker says, “It’s so easy to become narrow minded.” What is narrow mindedness, I wonder? If narrow mindedness means that you believe that truth exists and that God expects you to follow it in your life, then I guess I’m narrow minded. If narrow mindedness means that you don’t believe everything that every religion has ever perpetrated, then I guess I’m narrow minded. If narrow mindedness means that you don’t believe that truth is found in the multiplicity of beliefs from all of the other religions in the world, then I guess I am narrow minded. In fact, it’s great being narrow minded. I don’t have to worry about getting a ticket when I stop at a “Stop” sign because I’m narrow minded enough to obey the law. I don’t have to worry about getting my neighbor’s wife pregnant because I’m narrow minded enough to believe it is a sin to commit adultery. I don’t have to worry about the consequences of prolonged drug use, smoking, drinking, etc., because I’m narrow minded enough NOT to do those foolish things. I’m just narrow minded enough to be faithful to God and as a consequence, my wife, my family, and my Christian friends whom I love. If that is what it means to be narrow minded, then yes, I am guilty and (in the parlance of McDonald’s) “I’m lovin’ it!” This way brings TRUE peace with God, family, and friends because I will always act in a way that is void of absolute/objective offense. To so live is to truly love and fulfill God’s moral standards (Romans 13:8-10).

But second, I would say that it is NOT easy to be narrow minded. The narrow way is the straight way, the tight way, the difficult way. According to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 and in Luke 13:24 Jesus says that many will seek to enter the narrow way, but will not be able. The narrow way is the difficult way and it is NOT easy to be narrow. The person who tells you that it is easy to become “narrow” is a liar. When you are narrow, you’ve excluded all of these other false beliefs and because you have excluded them, you have judged them and the people who believe them. So what do they do? They attack YOU, the person who has accepted truth and call you “narrow minded” and all sorts of other names because they can’t deal with the fact that you have THE TRUTH. Argumentum ad hominem – because they can’t deal with the truth, they attack the man. Does that sound like the easy way? Does that sound like an “easy thing to do?” It is not. Why? Because everyone that you have “judged” is now seeking to “prove” that you are wrong and trying to get you to renounce your beliefs. How does it feel to have the majority of the people in the world attacking you? Not very good, but that’s exactly the kind of life that Jesus lived and in living, suffered, and died, and that is exactly the kind of life that He calls us to live as well (Galatians 2:20). Peter said, “Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). What did Peter mean by that? He meant that if you suffer for the cause of Christ, don’t worry. God knows about your suffering and He will take it into account one day. Be content knowing that God is on your side and that you are doing right because with God we are ALWAYS in the majority! Nevertheless, we must, for the present, endure the ridicule, attacks, jokes, and the same old tired arguments from those who have given up and caved in to the pressures of the world. No, being narrow isn’t easy, not one bit.

But third, what is the opposite of narrow? Is it not wide? Broad? What exactly would a person who calls someone narrow minded have them to do? Accept just any and every belief that comes their way? Hold out for the possibility that those beliefs aren’t necessarily wrong, but that they are perhaps the RIGHT beliefs to have? What do I do when I admit the possibility of the contradictory? I become irrational and in essence, if I am going to accept anything, the truth is that I will believe NOTHING. You see, to truly believe something means that you don’t believe other things. And when you say that you don’t believe other things, guess what you have become? That’s right, you’ve become narrow minded, the very thing that you say you ought not to be. I have to say that I’ve grown sick and tired of people saying that I’m narrow minded when they, all along, are practicing the same thing in saying that I’m narrow minded. What hypocrites these individuals are who say such. Do they not see that they themselves are guilty of the same thing when they proclaim the narrow mindedness of others? The bottom line is that you either believe something, or you believe everything/nothing. Now what you are, the reader, going to do? Are you going to be a responsible person and believe the RIGHT things or are you going to be irresponsible and not believe anything? That system is going to bring you nothing of value. How are you going to be able to trust your “friends” who believe everything/nothing at the same time? Why would one of them not turn and stab you in the back for whatever reason the moment presents? There is absolutely nothing to keep them from doing that because they have no principles or morals upon which to stand up and say, “This is right; this is what I believe.” Yes, that is the “broad way that leads to destruction.”

Next, this person says, “So easy to become triumphalist in our own approach in our own religion….” I suppose by “triumphalist” he means to conclude that one religion is better than another and that in so concluding that you have “triumphed.” Of course, he talks about “our own approach” and “our own religion” as if these things are merely subjective and that one cannot obtain absolute and objective truth in such things and such matters. I’m sure that he doesn’t believe that any one religion has absolute truth over any other religion. (Makes you kind of wonder why he is even preaching if he doesn’t believe that he is right, doesn’t it? But that’s the ridiculous nature of the Post Modern/Existentialist approach to religion these days. It doesn’t matter if you’re right or wrong, it’s simply the attempt at being spiritual that somehow counts.) But let me ask myself whether I am triumphalist. Yes, in fact, I believe that I am triumphalist and I will not apologize for being that way. I believe that is exactly the right way to be. In fact, the New Testament teaches that the faithful Christian is triumphant. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ….” Paul was a triumphalist as was Jesus. He triumphed in that he overcame death, was resurrected, and is now sitting on the right hand of the throne of God reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords.

But let’s ask another question. Is it “easy to become triumphalist?” Again, I say that it is not. The truth is that triumphing is a very difficult thing to accomplish. Ask the Olympic Athletes who train and work and sweat in order to win that gold medal if their triumph was easy. Ask the M.D. who has just completed his residency after having gone through medical school and passed his state medical exams whether or not his triumph was easy. Ask the mother who carried a child in her womb for nine months and delivered whether her triumph was easy. Ask the father who has raised his children for all of the years they were in his house and has finally seen his last graduate college, marry, and settle down with a new family whether his triumph was easy. So also in religion, there is a right way and there is a wrong way; when one finds the right way and accepts it and lives by that way every day of his life, he triumphs, but it is not easy to triumph; it requires discipline, hard work, perseverance, patience, and many other qualities that we value because we know that individuals who have such qualities in their life triumph!

But what is the opposite of triumphing? It is failure. Is that how we want to be in religion? Do we want to be failures? I submit that that is exactly the kind of thinking that this person would accept. He wants you, your friends, and everyone you know to be a failure when it comes to religious matters. He doesn’t want you to know the truth; he doesn’t want you to believe in absolute and objective truth; he doesn’t want you to live a principled life. Why is that? Because to live such a life would be to condemn all those who are not living that way and he can’t stand that; no he won’t have that at all. This person doesn’t want to elevate those who are failing to lives of success, but rather, he wants to destroy the successful to bring them down to the level of the failures. Does that sound like the religion that Christ brought? It isn’t even close to it. Christianity is about taking those who have failed in life and bringing them into success, those who have been defeated and bringing them to triumph. However, this process must be done not through our own subjective and varying standards of right and wrong, but through the absolute and objective standard of truth that is revealed in the Christian scripture. By following the plan that is laid out in the New Testament individuals may, in fact, leave behind lives of dismal failure destroyed by the consequences of sin and begin new lives, lives of true freedom and liberty, lives that glorify and honor God and lives that become successful and triumphant. This, however, isn’t done simply by believing anything and everything that comes along. One must be principled. One must believe the truth and one must act upon that truth in one’s life every day to live in a way that is absolutely morally correct. This is why John could say in 1 John 5:4 “… and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.” Yes! FAITH is the victory and faith must be lived to be true faith. Yes, I am a triumphalist and I proudly proclaim that Christianity, as revealed in the New Testament, is the best; in fact, it is the ONLY religion that is worth living but not because it is “my own religion and my own approach,” but because it is absolutely and objectively right; it is the religion that comes from the mind of God and so it must be followed and practiced.

Finally, the speaker says, “that to be aware of the way that God expresses Himself in so many languages is essential to becoming Christian.” I’m sorry, but this person has absolutely no idea what Christianity is about. God doesn’t speak to us in “so many languages.” He speaks to us only one way and that is through His Son, Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2). Peter had an opportunity to hear from God in many different languages on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured, but the voice that came out of heaven said, “THIS is my beloved Son; HEAR HIM.” The force of that statement is that we must hear Jesus and Jesus alone. Peter in Acts 4:12 said, “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” There is no other than Jesus; there never has been, there is not today, and there never will be. Those who say that “God expresses Himself in so many languages” speak out of ignorance and know nothing, and I’m sure they would be happy to admit that.

Let’s take that premise for a moment and see where it ends up. If we assume that God indeed does express himself in so many languages, then the “language” that I am using right now is one way in which God is expressing Himself. However, the words that I am writing here are saying that this concept of God expressing Himself in so many languages is false. Hence, the premise, “God expresses Himself in so many languages” is false, because one of the languages in which He is expressing Himself is my language which says the premise is false. The statement is self contradictory and absolutely false. The person who perpetrated it should apologize for saying it and leading people into error for encouraging it. This is the basic premise of pluralism, the idea that truth is to be found in the multiplicity of opinion and not in any one particular source or religion and it is completely contradictory. Those who accept the contradictory nature of it are irrational and have abandoned the basic principles of thinking, the mind which man was created by God to use, to accept it.

I find nothing useful in this statement at all. In fact, I find this statement to be exactly the opposite of what the speaker of this statement intended to communicate. He wanted to communicate “open mindedness” but he has only become close minded himself. He wanted to communicate the error of being triumphalist in religion, but he has only elevated his own thoughts in triumph over others. He wanted to communicate God’s speaking to man in many languages, but he has only said, “Listen to God through me only.” He wanted to communicate a fundamental principle of Christianity, but he has only communicated that you can believe whatever you want and do whatever you want because there are no principles. In other words, he has said that the only essential is that there are no essentials and to that I say, “Sir, you are a liar.”

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Narrow Minded?

The Pope and Sin

The Pope and Sin

As the pope’s visit to America approaches, he has announced that this year local priests can absolve individuals of the sin of abortion. Prior to this announcement, forgiving this sin was restricted to those of a higher rank in the Catholic church. It is difficult for many to understand these matters.

The Pope is a key figure in Catholicism.

The Pope is a key figure in Catholicism.

The Roman Catholic church teaches that there are “levels” of sin. There are those lesser sins called venial sins which, when committed, do not destroy one’s  relationship with God. Those who commit them are still friends of God, but the relationship is tarnished. While one can confess these sins to a priest, it is not necessary for this to happen.

Then, there are mortal sins which separate one from God. There are many of them (the list includes extreme anger, hate, lying, cheating, extortion, murder, and many sexual sins—contraception, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, etc.). Forgiveness of these almost always demands confession of these sins to a priest.

Among these mortal sins and evidently elevated to a higher level is the sin of abortion. The Catholic church teaches that if it occurs the result is automatic excommunication from the church. As noted above, it cannot usually be forgiven by the local priests and demands a higher level of forgiveness.

Those who believe the clear teaching of the Bible are so perplexed by this. Forgiveness of sins lies in the heart of the one who has been sinned against. No mortal, not even the pope, has ever been given the right to forgive sins. “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). It is the law of God which has been transgressed. The Jews fully understood this and said, “Who can forgive sin, but God alone” (Mark 3:7)? The pope cannot give forgiveness for the sin of abortion for he has not been sinned against.

Some might say, “But did not Jesus give Peter the right to bind and loose on the earth?” This view misinterprets the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:19. Such a view makes Peter (and the “church”) greater than God! God did not have to wait for Peter to bind and loose, nor does He have to wait for the pope to absolve sin. Read Jesus’ words in the New American Standard Bible, for they absolutely reflect the Greek words Jesus used and the words Peter would have understood. “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” The binding/loosing took place first in heaven.

If only the pope and those high in his church can forgive the sin of abortion, the world is doomed because only Catholics, and very few of them, have any chance of heaven.

God help us all to get back to the Bible!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Pope and Sin

Matthew 28

Go and Tell!

The last chapter of the book of Matthew is all about a mission. A mission to tell the Good News of the resurrected Savior. We often talk about Matthew 28 in the framework of the Great Commission. However, if we back up in this chapter and take a broader look at the context we get much a richer and more meaningful picture.

In the beginning of Matthew 28 we find Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (who could have been either the wife of Clopas [John 19:25], or the mother of James and John [Matthew 27:56]), had come the grave of Jesus. Why they are there isn’t important at this point, what is important is what they found, they found the tomb empty. The two women are told by the angel to “go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead” (v. 7). We will see this pattern repeated time and again following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus where a messenger from God directs human intervention and teaching of the Good News. Verse 8 tells us that they “ran” to tell the disciples and Jesus met them in the way. Jesus then tells them to go and tell his brethren to meet him in Galilee.

In contrast, the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb are compelled to lie about the risen Jesus and what they had seen. Their lies are bought and their earthly security seems to have been more of a priority to them than did their eternal well – being. Not only that, but Matthew goes on to say that their lie was one that continued to be disseminated.

Finally, Jesus meets with his disciples and issues the final charge to go and teach all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all that He had commanded. Philip would preach Jesus to the Eunuch (Acts 8). Peter would preach words whereby the house of Cornelius would be saved (Acts 11:14). The preaching of the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18) that saves those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Here are a few things we need to take from this chapter:

When God tells us to go, we need to “GO!” We need to go “NOW” and we need to god with “Urgency.” When we go, teach, and do his will, he meets us in the way and never leaves our side. “I am with you always.” “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). We need to be careful what we believe. There are many false prophets and we need to be diligent in testing the things that are said (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).

The Apostle Paul said that “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). What are you waiting for? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins (Acts 22:16). Repent and pray (Acts 8:22). God and share the Good News and you will surely meet Him in the way!

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Matthew 28

Blah Days

Even During Those “Blah” Days

Do you suffer from Blah days?

Do you suffer from Blah days?

I have often wondered about those “in-between” years — the years in Bible heroes’ lives that passed by with little more than a single verse acknowledging that time had moved on. For instance, Adam was already 130 years old when Seth was born (Genesis 5:3). Joseph spent over two years in prison for a crime he did not commit (Genesis 40:23-41:1). Moses spent forty years shepherding sheep in Midian (Exodus 2:15; 3:1-4; Acts 7:29-31). What did these men do during these long spans of time? What did these men do on a normal day? How was their everyday life similar to ours today?

While the Bible does not go into detail about these “in-between” years, one can rest assured that part of their average day was spent building and strengthening their relationship to God. These men were employed by God used to accomplish great things, and literally changed the course of history—but these changes did not occur by mere happenstance. They were tools in the hand of God, put there “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14). A quick examination of the great “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews chapter 11 reminds us that throughout many different centuries God utilized individuals to do His work. However, long before these individuals accomplished something special for God, most had already been cultivating a relationship with Him. These were righteous men—men after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) at all times, even during those “ blah ” days.

Whether they were shepherding sheep, lying in jail, or leading a chosen people across the Red Sea, these individuals never neglected their own personal relationship with Almighty God. What about us today? In a world in which we have drive-through windows for food, instant digital pictures, high-speed internet, and 24 hour online banking, do we ever slow down enough to focus on our relationship to Jehovah God? Can we honestly stand before the throne of God knowing we have been “still, and know[n]” He is God (Psalm 46:10). If you were to stop and rate the closeness of your relationship to God on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the closest possible), what number would you select? Now think again, God hasn’t moved in your relationship with Him. God’s position in your relationship to Him does not change. The Bible tells us that God loves us (John 3:16) and He desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He is always there for us. But are we always there for Him? Do we honestly spend time—even on those blah days—cultivating our relationship with Him, so that when He decides to make use of us for great things, we are there ready to get the job done?

One of the key factors in building a healthy relationship is getting to know the other person—and more than just superficial trivia. This means comprehending the full portrait of God. Have you painted a portrait of God in your home that only includes a loving, grandfatherly Being who is full of grace? Or have you incorporated into your portrait the jealousy, wrath, power, righteousness, mercy, judgment, and holiness of God? Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” To really form a relationship with our eternal Creator we must first learn what we can about Him. The only place to do this is in His inspired Word. It can’t be done through listening to sermons alone, or even reading Think magazine! We must study and meditate on His Word.

Second, relationships must involve communication. Our method of communicating with God is through prayer—utilizing Jesus as our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). Consider how deep your relationship is to God if the only time you communicate with Him is to pray for your food at mealtime. If this description sounds familiar, you need to understand you have a very shallow and fragile relationship with God—one likely to suffer during times of trouble or during those blah periods of life. Likewise, God communicates back to us through His Word. If we neglect daily reading of the Bible, then our relationship will not be as strong as it can be. How can we know Him if we don’t know His Word. Far too many Christians today are relying on the biblical knowledge of their preachers and leaders—an eerie step towards the days when Roman Catholics were told that only the priests could understand the Bible. Finally, our relationship must be visible through our actions. It’s often been said: “Don’t tell me you love me, show me.” The same can be said for our relationship with God (John 14:21; 1 John 2:5). Our declaration of a love for God is empty unless our lives accurately reflect that love.

Most tombstones have the year people were born and the year they died. These dates are commonly separated by a hyphen—the “in between” years. As you evaluate your own “in-between” years, I hope that today you will take some time and reflect on your personal relationship to God. He’s there for you—and one day you will meet Him, face-to-face. Will that meeting be the reunion of two close friends—or merely, two casual acquaintances?

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Blah Days