The back page July 10
Baptism
Baptism
(1 Peter 3:21) “And baptism,..., now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” To say that baptism is important would be a gross understatement. Peter says here that it saves us. How would the original readers of this statement have understood it? How does this statement harmonize with the fact that we are saved by Grace through Faith? And, How does all this work?
In the Jewish traditions there are many baptisms. John didn’t invent something new. Many, perhaps most, synagogues had a “mikvah”, a large pool to accommodate these ceremonial washings.
Not only repentance from sin but various circumstances which, under Moses’ law, rendered one ceremonially unclean, require immersion in the mikvah. A common example is after touching a dead body Christian Baptism is different, not in its physical aspects but in purpose and power. Christian Baptism says something to God. It is an “appeal”. It finds it’s legitimacy in the resurrection. I can dare to ask for a new life, for forgiveness, and a transformation in my character, because Jesus died and rose again to give me just that. Peter is reminding his original readers of what they already know.
It is all about Grace, because we are asking, in baptism, for the gift, purchased by Christ’s blood, and empowered by the Spirit that raised Him from the dead. It is all about Faith because, for baptism to have its desired effect, the recipient must believe that he receives both the cleansing and the newness of life, promised in Scripture.
Since it is an act of Faith in the Grace of God, Bible Baptism is believer’s baptism. Since saving faith is not just an intellectual assent to the existence of God but a trust that what He commands is for our good, we do not presume to regard the act of Baptism as unnecessary, though it is not the act, but the appeal made by the act, through the resurrection of Christ, that saves us
Not only repentance from sin but various circumstances which, under Moses’ law, rendered one ceremonially unclean, require immersion in the mikvah. A common example is after touching a dead body Christian Baptism is different, not in its physical aspects but in purpose and power. Christian Baptism says something to God. It is an “appeal”. It finds it’s legitimacy in the resurrection. I can dare to ask for a new life, for forgiveness, and a transformation in my character, because Jesus died and rose again to give me just that. Peter is reminding his original readers of what they already know.
It is all about Grace, because we are asking, in baptism, for the gift, purchased by Christ’s blood, and empowered by the Spirit that raised Him from the dead. It is all about Faith because, for baptism to have its desired effect, the recipient must believe that he receives both the cleansing and the newness of life, promised in Scripture.
Since it is an act of Faith in the Grace of God, Bible Baptism is believer’s baptism. Since saving faith is not just an intellectual assent to the existence of God but a trust that what He commands is for our good, we do not presume to regard the act of Baptism as unnecessary, though it is not the act, but the appeal made by the act, through the resurrection of Christ, that saves us
God Bless You -
The back page July 17
Unity
Unity
(John 17:22-23) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: {23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
It seems , to me at least, that many Christian Church people have forgotten that we were, at our beginning, a unity movement. The gross division of the protestant churches, which had been imported from Europe, was seen as both offensive to the Spirit of Christ and impractical on the advancing frontier. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians that there be no divisions: “some of Paul and some of Apollos and some of Peter”, found obvious application in a world where churches were, (as they still are) denominated after a founder a form of polity, a single doctrine, or even a political party. We would just call ourselves “Christian” and plead with others to do likewise. Quoting some of those who led the charge: Barton W. Stone wrote, “Christian Unity is my Polar Star.” Thomas Campbell proposed “That the Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him in all things according to the Scriptures,and who demonstrate such in character and conduct.”. Raccoon John Smith declared, “Let us, then, my brethren, be no longer Campbellites or Stoneites, New Lights or Old Lights, or any other kind of lights, but let us all come to the Bible alone, as the only book in the world that can give us all the Light we need.” 200 years later, the plea for unity, based on the Bible alone as our only rule of faith and practice is even more valid. Hundreds of denominations have sprung up. The church is better known for its controversies and strife than for its mutual affection. More resources are expended in enticing the saved to a particular brand name than in seeking the lost. Cultists and other false teachers find a ready audience in a world where an apparently divided Christianity can’t even agree on good and evil. It is not that there is no spiritual hunger. The world does not believe that the Father sent Jesus to the world because Christian unity is not visible. Now, more than ever, we have a purpose and a message for our generation. (Psalms 133:1) “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
It seems , to me at least, that many Christian Church people have forgotten that we were, at our beginning, a unity movement. The gross division of the protestant churches, which had been imported from Europe, was seen as both offensive to the Spirit of Christ and impractical on the advancing frontier. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians that there be no divisions: “some of Paul and some of Apollos and some of Peter”, found obvious application in a world where churches were, (as they still are) denominated after a founder a form of polity, a single doctrine, or even a political party.
God Bless You -