Sunday, September 25, 2016

What Does Water Do?


There has been much talk and much debate about the topic of water baptism amongst Christians today. Is it for the Church today or not? And for those who do think it’s for us today, there is still more debate about how they should be water baptized. Should they be immersed in water, sprinkled, or poured with water? Well, I don’t believe water baptism is necessary for the true Church, the Body of Christ today.

I want to start off with giving you an illustration that I came across in one of Pastor Cornelius R. Stam’s articles. Suppose you have a saved person, but that person lives a careless life and bears a poor testimony. Would water baptism change this? Would the believer even be motivated to go through the water ceremony? If the person is saved, then water baptism will do nothing. It won’t make him any better. He’s already saved. Now, suppose you have a saved person who does live a godly, consistent life before the world. What would water baptism do in this person’s case? Nothing! He is already saved and is already living a godly life, as best as he can at least. Water baptism won’t make him any better either. He too is already saved. (Stam, "Is Water Baptism A Testimony?")


 What does God’s Word say about this?

All believers in Christ would agree with each other, for example, that the Corinthians are believers. They are called saints. In Corinthians 1:2 we read, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” We read here that the Corinthians were sanctified (“set apart”) in Christ Jesus and also that they are "called to be saints." The New King James Version (which is what I’m using) has the words “to be” italicized, because they were not in the original text. It should be read to those who are "called saints," because they are saints.

And Paul writes to this same church in verse 14, “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius.” Also verse 16 and 17 says, “Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”

The believers of the church at Corinth are believers, yet they were also carnal as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 3:1. So, what would water do for these believers? Would water cause them to change their ways? No, it wouldn’t.

Now, some people may say Paul was not sent to baptize, because that’s a job for the bishops, deacons, and other leaders of the church to do. I have a few questions for them. Wasn’t Paul made the Apostle of the Gentiles? (Rom. 11:13) Yes! Was he not given a revelation by the Lord Jesus Christ? (Gal. 1:12) Yes he was! And doesn’t he say to follow him as he followed Christ? (1 Cor. 11:1) Yes he does! The elders and leaders of each of the churches that he writes to were given instructions by the Apostle Paul or at least by someone that learned it from Paul. So, wouldn’t it make sense that they would follow Paul in this particular area as well. Now, maybe some of the church leaders here at Corinth did baptize a few just like Paul, but I don’t think they would’ve baptized the whole church (also just like Paul). Paul, is our example (1 Tim. 1:15,16). Therefore, we too shouldn’t baptize, but instead we should preach the gospel. Our focus should be on the preaching of the cross! Water baptism takes away from the cross of Christ.

Water Baptism was required when the Israelites were under the Law, but we are no longer under the law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14) The Mosaic Law which is contained in ordinances was nailed to the cross and blotted out. (Colossians 2:14) That includes not only circumcision, but also water baptism.

The word baptism simply means “identification.” All believers became believers when they trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. When we believe in his death, burial, and resurrection, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:12-13) The Spirit identifies us with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. (Rom. 6:3-5) His death becomes our death. His burial becomes our burial. And His resurrection becomes our resurrection.

The important thing to remember in the illustration above is that both of them are saved. One just happens to live a poor life and the other happens to live a godly life, but they are both saved, because they have trusted in Christ as their Savior. Water baptism would add nothing to their spiritual life. The only thing it would do is get them wet. Believers today are already baptized by the Holy Spirit, so why get baptized with water by a clergyman? The Holy Spirit has already taken care of it. In fact, the whole trinity has taken care of it. God the Father initiated the plan of salvation, God the Son carried the plan out by dying for our sins, and God the Holy Spirit has baptized us and placed us securely in the Body of Christ (in the very person of Christ). To conclude, I heard Pastor J. C. O'Hair say in one of his sermons this phrase. "God [the Father] said it, Christ [the Son] did it, I believe it, that settles it." (O'Hair, "A Sermon By J. C. O'Hair") Salvation is by grace through faith alone today. (Eph. 2:8-9) Water Baptism is not required for salvation, nor is it required to show your faith as an outward expression. All I or any one has to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and that settles it.







Bibliography

O'Hair, J. C. A Sermon By J. C. O'Hair. Berean Bible Society. Podcast retrieved from https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/a-sermon-by-j-c-ohair/.

Stam, Cornelius R. "Is Water Baptism A Testimony?" Two Minutes with the Bible. Berean Bible Society. Web. https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/is-water-baptism-a-testimony.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The Rapture: Our Blessed Hope


Remember the Swing/Big Band Era? People would gather together in different clubs to hear the best music played by the best musicians and bandleaders. Some of the bandleaders included Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, and many more. I personally wasn’t born yet, but I do enjoy listening to the recordings of those classic songs. I personally enjoy listening to the sound of the trumpet and the rest of the horn section.

While we may enjoy listening to this great music, particularly the horn section, there is still one trumpet, yet to sound, that I know I and the rest of the Body of Christ are waiting to hear! It will take place at the Rapture, the catching away, of the Body of Christ. This is the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) of every believer that has trusted in Christ as his/her Savior.

The Bible talks about three resurrections that are still in the future. Every person will be raised some day. Not all at the same time, but eventually we all will be resurrected. Christ’s resurrection was a picture of what is to come. “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” (1 Cor. 15:23) When Paul says that Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits, he is saying that Christ’s resurrection is the example of what the future resurrections will be like. In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Paul uses the pronoun “they” and not “we,” because here he is specifically talking about the kingdom saints who will be raised at the Second Coming of Christ. This is the first resurrection. The second resurrection in the prophetic order of resurrections is the resurrection of the damned. When we continue reading the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, we read in verses 25-26 that Christ, “must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet,” and “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” The unsaved will be resurrected, judged, and thrown into Hell. Christ will cast sin, death, and Satan as well as all of the unsaved people into the Lake of Fire. That will be their second death. However, the Apostle Paul writes to us, the Body of Christ, about another resurrection, which is the secret resurrection (it was only revealed to the Apostle Paul).

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Cor. 15:51-52)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17)

Notice the use of the pronoun “we,” instead of “they.” We, the members of the Body of Christ under the dispensation of grace, will be raised at a secret resurrection that was only revealed to the Apostle Paul. It is a part of the “revelation of the mystery,” (Rom. 16:25) which was given to Paul. This resurrection will happen before the Tribulation starts. Therefore, it will also take place before the 1st and the 2nd prophesized resurrections. In other words, it will happen before God decides to come back to Israel and continue what He set aside (the Prophetic program).




Secret Resurrection
1st Prophesized Resurrection
2nd Prophesized Resurrection
Body of Christ
Kingdom Saints
The unsaved of all ages




So, was Peter wrong when he declared that the last days had begun in Acts 2:16-17? According to what Peter knew at that time, he was right. However, he didn’t know God would interrupt the program and promises made with Israel and bring in the dispensation of grace with Paul as the Apostle of the Gentiles. When Peter writes his second epistle later, which is after the mystery was revealed to Paul, then and only then did he know and understand what God did.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Who will (desire) all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

Peter learned that God set aside Israel temporarily and ushered in the dispensation of the grace of God, because of the longsuffering that God has towards us. God doesn’t want anyone to perish. Instead, He wants to have a relationship with all of us. Peter recognized that Paul was given new information that wasn’t revealed to him or the other apostles. In 2 Peter 3:15, Peter writes, “Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.”

Now, we don’t know when this current dispensation of grace will end, but we do know it will end with the Rapture. Paul himself was expecting the Rapture to come during his lifetime. He didn’t know that this dispensation would continue this long (about 2,000 years). That is why it is so important to accept Christ as your Savior right now, because he could come back at any moment. “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:1-2) Christ will meet His Church, which is His Body, in the air and He will take those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be with Him in Heaven. All you have to do is believe that He paid for your sins, was buried, and He rose again on the third day. (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Once you do that, you too will be able to look forward to that Blessed Hope, the Rapture, when Christ will resurrect the saints of the Body of Christ. You too can look forward to hearing that trumpet that will sound at the Rapture and enjoy it!

Fact of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Importance of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Order of the Prophesized Resurrections
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Mystery of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Friday, September 16, 2016

Complete in Christ

Colossians 2:10-14 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

  • Once we are saved, we are complete in Christ.
  • The word complete comes from two words which are, made full. We are made full in Him.
  • Therefore, don't let anyone spoil (rob) you of this wonderful blessing. (Col. 2:8)
  • We are accepted in the Beloved [Beloved One]. (Eph. 1:6)

What does it mean to be complete in Christ? The details...

  • We are circumcised with circumcision made without [human] hands (Col. 2:11)
    • Circumcision was a sign that made Israel stand out amongst the rest of the nations. Paul speaks of Abraham and says, "A seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had." (Rom. 4:11)
    • The putting off or the cutting off of "the body of the sins of the flesh"
    • When Christ was "cut off" at Calvary (Acts 2:23), we too were cut off or put to death in Christ.

  • We are also buried with Him in baptism (Col. 2:12)
    • This isn't talking about water baptism.
    • Christ wasn't buried in water when He died. He was buried in a tomb on the earth.
    • Baptism means "identification"
    • We have been identified with Christ in His burial. He was buried, so were we.
    • Baptism doesn't take the place of circumcision today. For the Scriptures clearly state that we are "circumcised with the circumcision made without hands" and that we are "buried with Him in baptism."
    • Both of these say it is by Christ and by the operation of God. In Christ, we are made perfect. We have died with Christ, we were buried with Him, and we have also been raised with Him.
    • Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
      • Now, for those that say baptism has taken circumcision's place this same argument can be made. If circumcision availeth nothing, and if baptism has taken its place now, well then it too availeth nothing.
      • Both (circumcision and baptism) have been accomplished in Christ.


Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

  • "Know ye not" or "Don't you know"
    • We are baptized into Christ
      • Baptized into His death
      • Buried with Him by baptism
      • Baptized in His resurrection
    • Therefore, we are complete [made full] in Christ.


Colossians 2:13-15 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

  • The Apostle Paul sums up:
    • We were dead in our sins
    • We had the uncircumcision of our flesh
    • But now, we have been quickened (made alive) together with Him.
    • And He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances and nailed them to His cross.
    • Finally, Paul says Christ spoiled principalities and powers and triumphed over them in it. What did Christ rob from principalities and powers? He took away any pleasure; they might have had when they crucified Him, by rising from the dead.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

To Live is Christ


To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain

Philippians – 1:20-24


Today’s scripture reading will be Philippians 1:20-24. So, let’s turn there and read.

                  v. 20 “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I
                  shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
                  will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”


The word hope doesn’t mean wishful thinking like we use it today. For example, I hope I do well on my test or I hope I get to see all of my relatives over summer vacation. However, in the Bible the word hope has assurance. It means when you expect something to happen you also know it will happen. It’s also associated with the words "earnest expectation." The word earnest means with all seriousness or reality. (Webster, 1828) Therefore, you’re expecting something to happen in the future with all seriousness or reality that it will happen.

We also learn from verse 20 that Christ is magnified in our bodies whether we live or die.

                  v.21-24 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in
                  the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I
                  cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to
                  depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in
                  the flesh is more needful for you.”


The Apostle Paul was torn between leaving the earth and being with the Lord, which as he says is far better, and staying longer to continue to teach the Philippians, the rest of the Body of Christ, as well as of course to continue to witness to those who were still unsaved.

What does the phrase “to live is Christ, to die is gain” mean? To die is gain means simply it is far better to be with the Lord. We read in 2 Cor. 5:8, “absent from the body and present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8-9) But what does the first part mean?  It simply means that Christ is the main reason for living. Christ was the main reason for Paul’s living and He is the main reason for our living too, or at least should be. He died on the cross for our sins.  It only seems reasonable then for us to make Christ our focus. To live is to focus our lives on Him. Also, to live is to have the very mind of Christ. To be likeminded. To be of the same mind, one mind, which is Christ’s mind.

So in conclusion, we have the earnest expectation and hope to know for sure that whether we live or die, our bodies will magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. And of course we also have the guarantee of someday going home to heaven to be with our Lord and Savior for all eternity! Praise the Lord!







Bibliography

"Earnest." American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828. Webstersdictionary1828.com, http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/earnest. Accessed 11 Sept. 2016.

Repentance


Repentance: What does it mean?


The words “repent” and “repentance” appears 21 times in Luke and Acts.

  •          Greek – “metanoeo” and “metanoia” comes from words (J. C. O'Hair, 24)

o   “noieo,” which means “to think”
o   “meta,” which means “change”
o   To change one’s mind or to think differently


Penance – to voluntarily punish yourself as an outward expression to correct wrong
                 behavior

Repentance is not Penance!

The book of John doesn’t use the word “repentance,” but instead it uses the word
“believe.” When you believe, you have changed your mind! You once thought or
believed something else, and then you believe something different. You’ve repented. 
You’ve changed your mind!


“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I
am He, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

“I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, Ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)


John teaches that if you believe, you will have everlasting life and won’t die in your sins.
Luke says that if you repent (change your mind), you will not perish.
The punishment is the same, if you do not believe or repent.

So, to repent all you have to do is believe differently than what you’ve believed before. You don’t have to punish yourself by inflicting pain to show others that you’ve changed your mind.


“I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)


To add anything to the gospel of the grace of God is to frustrate the gospel and to take away from the power of the cross.


                  “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But
                  to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his
                  faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:4,5)

                  “And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more
                  grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no
                  more work.” (Romans 11:6)


If you are going to work for your own salvation, then you will continue to be in debt, because you will never be able to pay for your sins.

But, if you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ paid for your sins on the cross with His own blood, was buried, and rose again the third day, then you will be finally out of debt. Your faith will be counted for righteousness. All you have to do is believe! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)







Bibliography

J. C. O'Hair. "Paradise-Purgatory-Perdition & Repentance-Reconciliation-Restitution." Bible Study Collection. p. 2-31. Print.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Salvation

Salvation: How are we saved today?

There are many beliefs today among Christianity about how a person may become saved. A lot of beliefs involve doing good works to get to Heaven. They say as long as your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds you'll get to Heaven and be saved. However, that is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible actually teaches that every believer throughout all the ages has been essentially saved by faith. Now, that is not to say works had no part in time past. For example, under the Mosaic Law which was given to Moses for the people of Israel they had to follow the Law as well as any other commandment given by God. But, even the Jews were essentially still saved by their faith. They just had to show their faith by following God's commandments.

However, under the current Dispensation of the Grace of God, we are entirely saved by grace through faith alone (Eph. 2:8,9) today. Our own good deeds will not save us, nor is it even required to show our faith. With that said, I want to make it clear. I am not saying it is bad to do good things. In fact, the Holy Scriptures tells believers to be careful to maintain good works. (Titus 3:5) All I'm saying is that it is not required for us to do good things to show our faith. It is not required for our salvation. All we have to do is believe. In 1 Samuel 16:7 the LORD said unto Samuel, "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

Now, why do we need salvation in the first place? It is because we are all sinners and have sinned against God. (Rom. 3:23) Therefore, we all deserve death. "For the wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23a)

So, how are we saved today?

Ephesians 2:8,9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
                            the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast [glory].

Salvation is entirely by faith alone. It is not by any works which we have done, but instead it is by His mercy He saved us. (Titus 3:5) All you have to do is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. (Acts 16:31) Believe that Christ died for all of your sins (past, present, and future sins) on the cross, was buried, and He rose again on the third day. (I Cor. 15:1-4) Once you believe, you automatically have eternal life in Christ Jesus!

The Lord Jesus Christ didn't need to die, because He knew no sin. Instead, He chose to die our death. He died my death and He died your death as well. He died for all of our sins once for all on the cross. God sent Jesus to be a propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins. (Rom. 3:25)

Therefore, because His death satisfied the payment for our sins salvation is now a free gift from God. (Rom. 5:18; 6:23) There is, therefore, nothing more that needs to be done. The Lord Jesus Christ has done it all already. His work on the cross is a finished, complete work. And once you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you too will be complete in Christ. So, if you haven't trusted in Christ as your Savior yet, I beseech (beg) you to do so now. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross of Calvary. Just Believe!