Baptism in the New Testament (2)

Baptism is a Burial

Last week we gave attention to the purpose of baptism, today we will give attention to the mode or manner in which one is baptized.

To begin, the word baptism comes from a Greek word (noun: baptisma; verb: baptidzō) that means to dip, plunge, immerse. The word does not mean and is not associated with pouring or sprinkling as a form / mode / manner of baptism. This is important to recognize because, biblically speaking, if one was “baptized” by the manner of having water poured over him or sprinkled on her, they (or that person) was not baptized after the pattern of New Testament teaching.

This makes perfect sense when one thinks about how the Holy Spirit used the word. In Romans 6, Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (6:3-4, ESV, bold added, RT).

A burial is complete covering of the deceased in a tomb above or below ground. Can you imagine seeing a limb or a portion of a cadaver sticking out above ground and hearing another saying, “Yes, we buried him yesterday!”? 

So, as one reads Colossians 2:12, we learn ... having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead (ASV). 

Not only is it used in the symbology of a burial, but also with respect to clothing. In Galatians 3:27, we learn that by faith when one is baptized he/she put on Jesus as one would put on clothing. In both figurative expressions, the idea is being fully covered, protected, and, thus, a new creation.

The aim of baptism, because of one’s faith and penitent heart, is the forgiveness of sins. Without submitting to the Lord’s teaching on the topic, one’s sins are not forgiven. Not only have we learned the aim of baptism, but we also learned the manner in which one is baptized, that is, by immersion, a burial of one’s old life (death) and resurrection of one into a new life.

JUST CHRISTIANS

If you were asked what you are religiously, what would be your answer?  Most, if they would be members of any “church”, would probably reply by giving the name of their denomination.  This, however, would not have been so in the first-century church, for denominations were then non-existent.  While, at first, the early converts to Christ were Jewish, the gospel soon was preached also to gentiles, but the idea of a “Jewish Church” and a “Gentile Church” would have been completely foreign to God’s plan for “one fold’ (the church) and one Shepherd (Christ)” (John 10:16).   Jesus, on the evening He was betrayed, prayed for believers: “That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us,, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me” (John 17:21).  While there were different terms used in relation to believers in Christ, such as “body of Christ,” “the Way,” and “disciples” of Christ, the one that would be most significant was the name “Christian,” designating those who were followers of Christ.  As the church began to include gentiles in the fold, and the apostle Paul began fulfilling his calling to “bear (Christ’s) name among the gentiles” (Acts 9:15), Luke tells us that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).  Peter would later admonish suffering believers, writing that  if any would suffer as a Christian, he should not be ashamed, but rather, “glorify God in that name” (1 Pet. 4:16b, ESV).  Denominational names are divisive and sectarian in nature, and are far from glorifying God.  The name “Christian” in no way should divide true Christians from one another, but only to recognize the believer’s separation from a non-believing world. 

In the New Testament, which is our authority for our faith and practice, all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God who died for their sins and was raised again, repented of their sins, unashamedly confessed Him, and were buried with Him in baptism were just Christians—neither more nor less.  (cf. Acts 11:26; 28; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-39).  Why should it be otherwise today? If you respond in faith and obedience to the gospel as they did, you would become what they were Christians.  If you would “in word and deed, do all in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), continuing in His word, you will continue to simply be what they were—Christians.  Jesus’ words to His followers then should yet be heeded today: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31), and as a disciple, bear the name “Christian” (Acts 11:26).            –Ron

 

THE SOWER: Ron Bartanen (Milton, Florida; Email: ron33dor@yahoo.com)

Baptism in the New Testament (1)

The other day on the Facebook page Friends of the Restoration, there was a post concerning Alexander Campbell on the topic of baptism / rebaptism, something to which I want to give attention. Before I do, however, I want to briefly consider the purpose of baptism in the New Testament.

First, there is the baptism of repentance preached by John. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire (Matthew 3:11, ASV). What is the baptism John preached? The word unto in this passage means with a view to or, in other words, baptism with a view to (toward) repentance. John called upon the community to change their way of thinking and living, looking forward to the One he proclaimed, for with Him, He brings the kingdom of God.

Second, there is the baptism unto remission of sins Peter preached in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost. The word unto is a significant word here also. Years ago Mac Layton produced a track “What Does Acts 2:38 Mean?” wherein he gave us 37 renderings of the verse in languages such as Syriac, French, Indian, English, German, Spanish, etc. How did the verse read in all these translations? Not once did it ever read, And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins have already been forgiven.” The English word for has been manipulated by many to mean because, something the New Testament does not (never did) teach. The ESV reads this way, “And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If the English word for meant because then one can be certain an English translation would have so rendered it – but not one did (in so far as I am aware).

This is not an unimportant point of emphasis! There are some denominations that teach one is baptized because their sins have already been forgiven, refusing to see that the wording of Acts 2:38 corresponds exactly as the words of our Lord in Matthew 26:28. Notice: …for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (ESV, emphasis added, RT).  If it means because one’s sins have already been forgiven in Acts 2:38, then it means the same in Matthew 26:28.

If people would just read and obey the Lord’s will as He expressed Himself on the topic and in the way He said we are to do it, there would be no questions concerning what He meant. As it is, because of a theological position to maintain, people miss the simple teachings of the New Testament. 

-Ron Thomas

Preacher, Rio Grande Church of Christ (etsop95@gmail.com) 

Living in the Now

As a child, we are familiar with longing for the next age. When I was 15, I couldn’t wait to be 16 and drive. When I was 17, I couldn’t wait till 18. Then, I could vote and go off to college. As a parent, it’s a similar view. If we can just get to that next stage, when she sleeps through the night, or he is out of diapers. Now, the stages are getting a child trained through high school, getting another child through college, and continuing to be a source of encouragement for one whose schooling is completed! If I am not careful, I can still look forward to the next stage view. As a Christian, I need to learn to live in the now.

This is a complaint against Christians. We tend to look back or look ahead and miss what is right before our eyes. Honestly, the same complaint could be leveled at all people. As Christians, we look back to the cross. We look forward to heaven. Those are great blessings and should not be taken for granted. Keep in mind, there are many blessings right before our very eyes.

Here are some passages that come to mind. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV). When I worry, I am borrowing tomorrow’s troubles today. “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIV). Be thankful for your food. Enjoy it. Hopefully, you find satisfaction in your work. I have always felt for people who did not find pleasure in their profession. A person has to work, but it is really a chore when you don’t gain satisfaction from a job well done.

Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the door,” “I am the gate,” “I am the bread of life,” and “I am the good shepherd,” just to name a few. Notice, he does not state it, “I was,” or “I will be.” He always uses the present tense. In our hymns we sing, “Bow before the Great I Am.” “The Great I Was,” or “The Great I Will Be” doesn’t have the same ring to it. As Christians, we should reflect on the past of Christ on the cross. We should look forward to eternity in heaven. God has also blessed us to enjoy the present. As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Whether it’s gathering for worship, an evening with friends, a family get together, working on a project, reading a good book, taking a hike in the park, fishing at the lake or watching a ball game; time flies and you are taking in the now. Be thankful to God for it!

Jimmy Hodges

The Church was Established at the Right Time

We live in a world where complaining comes easily. We complain about slow service, frustrating work situations, government inefficiency, and any number of daily inconveniences. Sadly, that same spirit can sometimes find its way into the church. Members may complain about leadership; leaders may complain about members. Yet Paul wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil. 2:14). If we are going to help the church grow, grumbling will not do it. Instead, we need to focus on what is right with the church.

One great truth is this: the church was established at the right time. Long before Acts 2, God had revealed both the time and place of the coming kingdom. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a great image representing successive world kingdoms. Daniel identified Babylon as the first and then spoke of kingdoms that would follow. During the days of the fourth kingdom, God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44). History shows the succession of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. It was during Roman rule that Christ came and His kingdom began.

The place was also foretold. Isaiah said that “the word of the Lord” would go forth from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:1-4). Jesus confirmed this when He told His apostles that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in His name, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-48). He told them to wait there until they received power from on high (Acts 1:4-8). Mark 9:1 promised that some standing with Jesus would live to see the kingdom come with power. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles in Jerusalem, Peter preached the gospel, and about three thousand souls were added. The church had begun—at the right time, in the right place, and according to God’s promise.

This was not an accident of history. Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4:4). God’s timing is never late and never premature. He had prepared the world for the spread of the gospel. The great empires had contributed to the conditions of that day. The Greeks spread a common language, Koine Greek, which made communication across nations easier and preserved the New Testament message with clarity. The Romans built roads and provided a measure of order that allowed the gospel to travel rapidly throughout the empire. Even the Jewish dispersion had placed synagogues in many cities, giving early preachers places to begin teaching about Christ.

God’s plan unfolded exactly as He intended. The church was not a last-minute response to human failure. It was part of His eternal purpose, revealed through prophecy and fulfilled in Christ. In the church, Jew and Gentile are brought together in one body and reconciled to God through the cross (Eph. 2:14-16). In Christ, we have redemption through His blood, and God is gathering all things together in Him (Eph. 1:7- 10). We may find plenty of things in life to complain about, but the Lord’s church should not be one of them.

It was established by God, promised by the prophets, purchased by the blood of Christ, and opened to all who will obey the gospel. Just as the church was established at the right time, now is the right time for us to be in Christ. Why wait? Come to Him, and be added to the body of the saved. 

Dale J. Babinsky

Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ; 3078 Veterans Blvd. Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 865.428.9749; Church@gsmchurchofchrist.com

Sarah and Minnie

It has been quite a few years since I visited one of our church members in one one of the hospitals in Nashville, but I remember one incident very well. The incident really had nothing to do with the actual visit with my brother in Christ. It actually took place while I was leaving the facility.

Since I had never been to that particular hospital before, I was unsure about where to park and find things once I was in it. My confusion caused me to leave from a different place from the one through which I had entered. Apparently, I had entered some secondary entrance and left via the main entrance. I figured that out when I saw a very large picture of the person for whom this medical establishment was named.

The portrait looked somewhat similar to somebody I had seen on television and who had performed at the county fair where I grew up when I was much younger. I thought that this woman in the portrait could not have possibly been her, though. It is not unusual for me to think that one person I know or whom I’ve met reminds me of somebody else. Surely that was the case this time.

The lady in the picture had the look and the wardrobe of a successful business person. The comedian I saw at our county fair was dressed like and looked like a “country bumpkin” and regularly began her performances with “How-Dee!! I’m just so proud to be here” (pronounced kind of like hyear). There couldn’t possibly be any connection between the professional looking woman from Nashville and the woman from Grinders Switch with the $1.98 price tag hanging off of her floppy straw hat.

I don’t think I can adequately communicate my surprise when I learned that Sarah Cannon and Minnie Pearl were (was?), in fact, the same person. It was hard for me to believe that one person could be two totally different individuals.

As I thought about that, I started doing some thinking. That’s always dangerous for me, because it often leads to self-examination.

I wonder if my family would tell you that they see a different “me” than the one I “portray” when I am with others. Would they and/or others notice a difference between the Sunday “me” and the Monday through Saturday “me.” Does my vocabulary change depending on the people I’m with? What about my wardrobe, my choices of entertainment, and any number of other things?

You may remember that some of our Lord’s most scathing denunciations were leveled at religious leaders whom he labeled as hypocrites. You may also remember that one of the definitions of the Greek word used is “a stage actor.”

Apparently, Sarah Cannon was rewarded well for being a stage actor named Minnie Pearl. Even people like me who did not know her real name understood that it was an act. We also understood that it was – as the saying goes – all in fun.

My memory of a long ago hospital was about much more than a trip down memory lane. It reminded me of something that I think is valuable. If any of us choose to be two different people in “real life,” we will also be rewarded – and it will be no laughing matter. -Jim Faughn

 

We’ll do whatever you say

Jeremiah 42:5–6 (ESV)

It’s easy to make a promise in the moment. Someone asks for our word, and we give it freely, without counting the cost. We tell a friend we’ll be there. We tell our kids we’ll change. We tell God, in a hard season, that if He’ll just get us through this, we’ll do whatever He says. The promise costs nothing to speak. It’s the keeping that gets expensive.

Jerusalem has fallen when we meet the remnant in Jeremiah 42. The city is rubble, the king is gone, and the survivors left in the land are terrified of what Babylon might do next. A group led by Johanan comes to Jeremiah with one request: pray, then tell them what the Lord says. Should they stay in the land, or flee to Egypt?

Their promise, before they’ve heard the answer, is remarkably strong. They call on the Lord Himself to be a “true and faithful witness” against them if they fail to obey. “Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God” (Jer. 42:5–6, ESV). Read that carefully. It’s about as serious an oath as a person can make.

Ten days later, Jeremiah brings the word. Stay in the land. Don’t go to Egypt. The same people who swore to obey whatever the Lord said turn on the prophet, accuse him of lying, and head for Egypt anyway. Their promise didn’t survive contact with an answer they didn’t want.

Words come too easily to us too. We make promises without much thought, and plenty of us have made commitments we never intended to keep. Little white lies feel harmless. Fine print hides in every offer. Prices climb while the product in the package shrinks, and we’ve even given that trick a name. A person’s word doesn’t carry the weight it used to.

We do the same thing with God that Judah’s remnant did. We promise obedience in the crisis, at the hospital bed, in the middle of the night when we’re scared enough to mean it. Then the answer comes, and it isn’t the one we wanted, so we go do what we intended all along.

God does not operate that way. Every word He speaks, He keeps. He “is not slow to fulfill his promise… but is patient” (2 Pet. 3:9, ESV), even when we’re the unfaithful ones. Christ’s own faithfulness, all the way to the cross, makes room for people who’ve broken more promises to God than they can count.

That’s exactly why our words still matter now. Jesus said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matt. 5:37, ESV). Truthfulness isn’t a small virtue for a Christian. It’s a mark of belonging to Christ, and when we’re careless with it, the world takes notice long before we do.

Most of us have told God we’d do whatever He said. The question this week isn’t whether we’ve made that promise before. It’s whether we mean it this time. -Jeff Arnette

Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood Church of Christ (Clyde, NC; 828-565-0500; centralhaywoodcoc@gmail.com)