Many denominations teach that a person is saved when he believes in Jesus, repents of his sins and asks Jesus into his heart. The most commonly used verse to prove this is John 3:16. Of course, faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of a Christian life, but we teach that belief is the beginning of the conversion process.
Let’s look at other verses from the book of John, John 8:24-36. In this passage, Jesus is talking to the scribes and Pharisees. He tells them if they do not believe in Him, they will die in their sins. As he spoke to them of the Father, many of these listeners believed in him. Jesus did not then say that they would not die in their sins because they now believed in Him. Instead, He said to those scribes and Pharisees that believed on Him, that they were to continue in His Word. Then they would know the Truth and the Truth would set them free. He goes on to explain to them that they were servants of sin. He said this to them, even though they believed in Him.
Romans 6:16-18 talks about being servants of sin. How is one set free from sin? Belief and repentance are a necessary part of the salvation plan but Romans 6: 3-7 states that the body of sin is crucified with Jesus in baptism. Baptism is an important part of the plan. This is the way through which one is set free from sin.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Into the Water
Baptizo: Greek word meaning to make whelmed (ie. fully wet) ... especially of the ordinance of Christian baptism. Strong`s Concordance
In Acts 8: 26-39 is the story of the evangelist Philip telling the good news of Jesus to an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip met up with this man while he was reading a passage from Isaiah. The Ethiopian wanted these words explained to him. Philip did so adding the plan of salvation to his teaching:
- v36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?"
- v37 And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he replied, " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
- v38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch , and he baptized him.
- v39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more...
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Purpose of Baptism
1. Baptism is the culmination of steps that a person takes when he desires to become a Christian. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom, Acts 8:12, a person either believes or rejects the Good News. Believing God’s Word enables that person to see that they are a sinner and have fallen short of the righteousness of God, Romans 3:23. This knowledge leads to repentance or a change in attitude towards sin and a commitment to live for Christ, Acts 17:30. Then a public declaration of a belief in Jesus as the Son of God in made, Acts 8:36-37, followed by baptism, Acts 8;38-39. Baptism is a commandment, Acts 10:48; Mark 16:16.
2. Baptism is more than a symbol as many denominations teach. Romans 6:3-5 states that baptism is an actual burial with Christ into His death. This is a spiritual burial where people wanting to become Christians come into contact with the blood of Christ. Jn 19:34; Rev 1:5; 7:14; Col 1:14.
3. It is after submission to Christ in baptism that a newness of life is possible, Romans 6:4-14. As Jesus was raised from the dead, a person is raised from the water into a new spiritual life as a Christian.
4. Baptism is for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38. Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sins through His death on the cross. It is in baptism into His death that forgiveness is received.
5. Baptism is for salvation, Mark 16:16; 1Peter 3:21. Many denominations teach that baptism in not essential to salvation and that salvation occurs upon belief only. They say that God’s grace alone saves. It is true that we can do nothing on our own to merit salvation but doing what God tells us to do is obedience and is required on our part, 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1Peter 4:17.
6. Baptism washes away our sins, Acts 22:16 which is a figurative way of stating that our sins are forgiven. (remission of sins)
7. People are born again through the water of baptism and the Holy Spirit, John 3:3-5.
8. It is through baptism that a person enters into Christ, Galatians 3:27 and becomes a part of His body, the church. 1Corinthian 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:41,47. It is in Christ that all spiritual blessings, especially eternal life, are found. Ephesians 1:3; 2Timothy 2:10.
It is in Christ, that we become a new creature, 2Cor 5:17.
2. Baptism is more than a symbol as many denominations teach. Romans 6:3-5 states that baptism is an actual burial with Christ into His death. This is a spiritual burial where people wanting to become Christians come into contact with the blood of Christ. Jn 19:34; Rev 1:5; 7:14; Col 1:14.
3. It is after submission to Christ in baptism that a newness of life is possible, Romans 6:4-14. As Jesus was raised from the dead, a person is raised from the water into a new spiritual life as a Christian.
4. Baptism is for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38. Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sins through His death on the cross. It is in baptism into His death that forgiveness is received.
5. Baptism is for salvation, Mark 16:16; 1Peter 3:21. Many denominations teach that baptism in not essential to salvation and that salvation occurs upon belief only. They say that God’s grace alone saves. It is true that we can do nothing on our own to merit salvation but doing what God tells us to do is obedience and is required on our part, 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1Peter 4:17.
6. Baptism washes away our sins, Acts 22:16 which is a figurative way of stating that our sins are forgiven. (remission of sins)
7. People are born again through the water of baptism and the Holy Spirit, John 3:3-5.
8. It is through baptism that a person enters into Christ, Galatians 3:27 and becomes a part of His body, the church. 1Corinthian 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:41,47. It is in Christ that all spiritual blessings, especially eternal life, are found. Ephesians 1:3; 2Timothy 2:10.
It is in Christ, that we become a new creature, 2Cor 5:17.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
The Difference
As a child I believed that there is a God. His Son Jesus was born in a stable and died on a cross. If a person believed this and went to church and was really "good " he or she could eventually go to Heaven. This was my concept of Christianity well into my adulthood.
About fifteen years ago I was shown a more accurate concept of Christianity. I realized that there is a big difference between being a Christian and being someone with Christian beliefs. This clearer understanding was achieved in a rather simple way: what I thought was the truth was measured against what was actually written in the Bible. What really became clear to me was that a Christian was someone who made a real committment to God; not someone who generally agreed with and practised parts of the truth. A person who makes and lives by this committment can expect to eventually go to Heaven.This committment comes about by following the plan of salvation:
Hear the Word- Romans 10:17
Believe the Word- John 20: 30-31
Repent- 2 Corinthians 7: 10
Confess His Name- Matthew 10:32
Be baptized- Mark 16: 15-16
Remain faithful to the end- Matthew 24: 13
If you are reading this , haven`t followed the plan of salvation and still think you`re a Christian, please look up and read the following Scriptures. Heed these words that Jesus spoke:
About fifteen years ago I was shown a more accurate concept of Christianity. I realized that there is a big difference between being a Christian and being someone with Christian beliefs. This clearer understanding was achieved in a rather simple way: what I thought was the truth was measured against what was actually written in the Bible. What really became clear to me was that a Christian was someone who made a real committment to God; not someone who generally agreed with and practised parts of the truth. A person who makes and lives by this committment can expect to eventually go to Heaven.This committment comes about by following the plan of salvation:
Hear the Word- Romans 10:17
Believe the Word- John 20: 30-31
Repent- 2 Corinthians 7: 10
Confess His Name- Matthew 10:32
Be baptized- Mark 16: 15-16
Remain faithful to the end- Matthew 24: 13
If you are reading this , haven`t followed the plan of salvation and still think you`re a Christian, please look up and read the following Scriptures. Heed these words that Jesus spoke:
- Matthew 7: 21-27
- Matthew 12: 30
- John 14: 15, 21
Here are some other Scriptures to read concerning this post: James 2: 19-24; Mark 16: 15-16; 1 Timothy 1: 3-7; Matthew 10: 22; Revelation 21: 3-4.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Search
I thought I was a Christian all my life. I was baptized as a baby into the Catholic religion. I attended a Catholic school. I believed in Jesus and in everything else I was taught
Then someone read the Bible to me. The Words cut me to the heart because what was read was not what I was taught or practised. I came to trust those Words as I realized they were what would guide me to heaven. I finally left the church of my childhood.
It was during the process of leaving that I came in contact with a group of people that claimed to be the church of Christ. I had been studying the Bible prior to this time so when I heard their teachings, I studied it for myself.
After much difficulty, I was able to see that I was not saved. It didn’t matter that since a child I had believed that Jesus was the Son of God. I was still lost because I had not followed what the Bible says on how to become a Christian.
The Bible says that:
• I had to hear the Words of the Bible. Romans 10:17
• I had to believe that these Words were from God and that they were true. Hebrew 11:6
• I had to repent. I had to agree to change my life to suit God, not me. Acts 17:30
• I had to confess publicly that I believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Romans 10:9-10
• I had to be baptized into Christ, immersed into His death. Once, I did this, I became a Christian. I was in Christ. Galatians 3:27; 2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:3-5
I write this blog to share with you what I have learned from the Good Seed.
Then someone read the Bible to me. The Words cut me to the heart because what was read was not what I was taught or practised. I came to trust those Words as I realized they were what would guide me to heaven. I finally left the church of my childhood.
It was during the process of leaving that I came in contact with a group of people that claimed to be the church of Christ. I had been studying the Bible prior to this time so when I heard their teachings, I studied it for myself.
After much difficulty, I was able to see that I was not saved. It didn’t matter that since a child I had believed that Jesus was the Son of God. I was still lost because I had not followed what the Bible says on how to become a Christian.
The Bible says that:
• I had to hear the Words of the Bible. Romans 10:17
• I had to believe that these Words were from God and that they were true. Hebrew 11:6
• I had to repent. I had to agree to change my life to suit God, not me. Acts 17:30
• I had to confess publicly that I believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Romans 10:9-10
• I had to be baptized into Christ, immersed into His death. Once, I did this, I became a Christian. I was in Christ. Galatians 3:27; 2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:3-5
I write this blog to share with you what I have learned from the Good Seed.
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