Baptism is one of the most debated and discussed topics of the Bible. There are those that believe Baptism is essential to salvation, while others believe it is just to show your faith. Some claim it is commanded, others say it is recommended. Many say full immersion is the only way, while others prefer sprinkling and pouring of water. Honestly, the differences are numerous, and there is no way to have enough room on post to touch on all the issues, but let's discuss some of these questions. And, as always, since there are so many opinions, the statements in my blog will always be given with the backing of scripture and God's Word. This is what God has told us, and not my personal, or any man's decision.
Is Baptism essential for our salvation? Today, many church organizations have changed their doctrine from one of Baptism IS essential, to it is just a sign of faithfulness. When we read scriptures though, it is clear that Baptism is indeed, essential. Mark 16:16 "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned." Now many claim that because baptize is left out of the second part of the verse, this means it is not essential. However, if you don't believe, you will not be baptized, so therefore there is no need to say it twice. Look at what Peter said on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 after he had given his sermon about what had happened to Christ. The Jews were "pricked in their hearts" and wanted to know what they must do to be saved. Peter answers in 2:38, saying "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Notice that Peter didn't give any other option such as, just believe, or ask forgiveness. The same goes for Paul, the Eunuch, and every other example we find in the Bible. It is essential!
Who needs to be Baptized? Every example we are given in the Bible (with the exception of Christ Himself), we see that one must be able to choose to be baptized to wash away his/her sins. Sin is a choice that a person chooses to do (1 John 3:4), and since sin separates us from God, we must be baptized to wash those sins away. The sinful person must be able to accept the Grace of God by hearing and believing (Heb. 11:6, John 8:24, etc.) the teachings of Christ. One must have faith in the Lord, for without it, you cannot submit to it (Mark 16:16). Also, one must be able to repent of the sins they committed in their past (Acts 2:38). There are many in the religious world today who argue that a child must be baptized, but since a child (infant) cannot confess Christ, commit sin, or be able to repent, an infant needs not to be baptized. They are innocent, and if something tragic happens to them, they are safe with Christ. Also notice, in all of the accounts given in the Bible of Baptism, there is not one instance of an infant! Jesus could have been baptized while a youth, but even He waited to give us the perfect example. I know many argue form original sin, but these instances should counter that, but even so, another post will cover that in the future.
How is Baptism to be done? For the first few centuries after Christ, there was only way that baptism was done, by full immersion. Why? First of all, full immersion was the only way it was done in the Bible. In fact, the word Baptize comes from the Greek word 'baptizo', which literally means 'to go under' or 'fully immerse'. So in the original writings of the Bible, when one saw the word baptize, they were actually seeing, 'to go into the water'. In every account of a Baptism in the Bible, it was always by the person who is being baptized, going fully under the water. When Philip was travelling with the Eunuch in Acts 8:34ff, the Eunuch saw a pool of water and chose that spot. Surely they had water in their chariot, so why didn't they just use it to pour over his head? Also, when one is Baptized, they are buried with Christ, and raised up to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4, Col. 2:12). When you rise up out of the water, you are a new person. Sprinkling and pouring is not burying, and there is no rising up. Sprinkling and pouring was a man-made institution to make things easier for some, and does not follow either the commands, nor the examples as set forth in the Bible. How was Jesus baptized to show His example to us? That is the way to follow.
When should Baptism be done? This should easily be seen by studying the scriptures. As soon as one hears the Word, believes in Christ as savior, repents of their sins and confirms Christ, they should be baptized. Since we have seen that you cannot be saved until Baptism (Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38), it should be done immediately! Why wait? What if something happens while you are waiting? There are some organizations who wait to do baptisms once or twice a year, but where do they get their authority to do that? That is not found in God's Word at all! Besides, why would you want to wait to walk with God?
Where should one be Baptized? In the accounts found in the Bible, there is no special location to do this, other than a spot with enough water for someone to be fully immersed. The Eunuch did it in the first body of water he came across. Many churches today use rivers or creeks, while some have a baptistery in the building to perform them. There are many people who wish to wait to be Baptized in the Jordan River itself, but there is no passage found that says you must be baptized in the Jordan. Any body of water will do.
Finally, who is to do the baptizing? Many people believe that only a Christian or the Minister is to perform the baptizing. The truth is, the Bible does not give any qualifications as to who can do it. The importance is in the one who is being Baptized. Some people believe that only an 'ordained' Minister or Priest must be allowed, but again, there is no authorization of this in the Bible, but something man has decided later on.
There are of course many more questions to be gone through, and each of these questions that we just discussed we could do its own post on. But as you can see for yourself, I only used what the scriptures said to try to prove the truth of Baptism, and why/how it should be done. As always, I'm sure everyone has their own opinion of it, so please let me know in the comments or by Face Book, and I would love to discuss it with you further. I do not do these posts to try to debate, or put down anyone's belief's, but am just trying show people the truth of God's Word, and to show that there are many people out there who try to twist the scriptures to fit their own false beliefs. The danger is always in listening to others before what God has told us. The Truth is in His Word!
A Christian Blog that uses the Bible as it's only source of doctrine.
Friday, August 19, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
The Anti-Christ Revealed
In the early 1990's a set of books was written called "The Left Behind" series that was a fictional story about the events leading up to the second coming of Christ. Though many found the books to be exciting and fast-paced, they were written by the author's personal beliefs, and should be viewed as fictional. Especially when considering the twisting of scriptures involving the so-called antichrist that many believe is found in the book of Revelation. As is quite often the case, the truth is much different than the story.
In the books, and in the beliefs of many people, the antichrist is a person, who might be alive today, who comes to power as a world savior after the disappearance of countless people. The world descends into chaos, and this man convinces the people to make him a dictator to take care of them. Of course, in the process, he turns as many people against Christ as he can before Christ returns to save those left behind. The authors claim, and many people agree, that all of this will be the fulfillment of prophecy from the Bible. But the Bible reveals what the antichrist truly is, and the truth is much different.
First of all, the antichrist as described in the last paragraph, is not found or supported anywhere in scripture. The word antichrist comes from the Greek word 'Antikristos', and is found five times in the New Testament, all of them in the epistles of John, never once in Revelation. In John's explanation of the antichrist, it never describes a specific person, but anyone who fights against the belief of Christ and His teachings. 1 John 2:18 reads "Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists: whereby we know it is the last hour." Later, in verse 22, the best description of what an antichrist is, can be seen. "Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the son." This is the simple, and only definition that can be found.
Unfortunately, far too many people today will read fictional stories and believe anything that sounds good, or that a religious "leader" tells them without studying for themselves. There are also false claims that historical or political figures of the past were two of the antichrists, with the last one being the one mentioned earlier. It is often said that Napoleon and Adolph Hitler were the first two, setting the stage for the final one. While it may be true that Napoleon and Hitler were antichrists, they (according to the Bible) have nothing to do with any prophecy in the Bible. This is simply a false claim, something for people to talk about. And this is what makes this such a sad commentary.
For whatever reason, many people want to believe any fantastical story involving anything to do with God and/or Christ, without simply studying the Bible and the Truth of God's Word. Nowhere in scripture is there support for a powerful man being an ultimate antichrist, able to put the 'mark of the beast' on people, thus losing them from salvation forever. Christ has the ultimate power over everything and everyone on earth, including those who deny Him. These are the people who the Bible has revealed to be the real, and only antichrist.
In the books, and in the beliefs of many people, the antichrist is a person, who might be alive today, who comes to power as a world savior after the disappearance of countless people. The world descends into chaos, and this man convinces the people to make him a dictator to take care of them. Of course, in the process, he turns as many people against Christ as he can before Christ returns to save those left behind. The authors claim, and many people agree, that all of this will be the fulfillment of prophecy from the Bible. But the Bible reveals what the antichrist truly is, and the truth is much different.
First of all, the antichrist as described in the last paragraph, is not found or supported anywhere in scripture. The word antichrist comes from the Greek word 'Antikristos', and is found five times in the New Testament, all of them in the epistles of John, never once in Revelation. In John's explanation of the antichrist, it never describes a specific person, but anyone who fights against the belief of Christ and His teachings. 1 John 2:18 reads "Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists: whereby we know it is the last hour." Later, in verse 22, the best description of what an antichrist is, can be seen. "Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the son." This is the simple, and only definition that can be found.
Unfortunately, far too many people today will read fictional stories and believe anything that sounds good, or that a religious "leader" tells them without studying for themselves. There are also false claims that historical or political figures of the past were two of the antichrists, with the last one being the one mentioned earlier. It is often said that Napoleon and Adolph Hitler were the first two, setting the stage for the final one. While it may be true that Napoleon and Hitler were antichrists, they (according to the Bible) have nothing to do with any prophecy in the Bible. This is simply a false claim, something for people to talk about. And this is what makes this such a sad commentary.
For whatever reason, many people want to believe any fantastical story involving anything to do with God and/or Christ, without simply studying the Bible and the Truth of God's Word. Nowhere in scripture is there support for a powerful man being an ultimate antichrist, able to put the 'mark of the beast' on people, thus losing them from salvation forever. Christ has the ultimate power over everything and everyone on earth, including those who deny Him. These are the people who the Bible has revealed to be the real, and only antichrist.
Friday, August 5, 2016
The Bible and Ghosts
Let's be real for a minute. Most of us like a good spooky story, especially while sitting around a fireplace or while camping with family and friends. Many of us like a good movie or television program with ghosts or something supernatural in it. And of course, we have all heard of or know someone who has seen something weird or who have heard bumps in the night that we just 'can't explain'. So what are ghosts, if they even truly exist? If they do, shouldn't the Bible have something to say about them, since they are spirits of dead people? Well, the Bible actually says very little about actual 'ghosts' (except for the Holy Ghost of course), but has much to say about what happens to us when we die. And therein lies the answer.
The biggest fear that man faces in life, is of course, death. Many people, especially those who are not Christians, are afraid of dying and the unknown of what happens after. The author of Psalms 55:4-5 describes death as 'terror'. Job describes death as "The king of terror" in Job 18:14. This is the way most people view death, and many try to combat this fear with the possibility of remaining here on earth, communicating with our loved ones. The Bible though tells us what happens upon our death, and never once mentions our spirit still roaming around here.
In 1 Thess. 4:14 and Daniel 12:2, scripture says that the body sleeps in death. The word sleep is from the Greek word 'Koimaomi', which simply means to lie down, not sleep as we know it. Now since these two verses do not mention the spirit after death, some will want to say the spirit continues on, maybe being trapped here for some reason. Of course, if we only would read other verses on this topic, it would help us understand.
James tells us in James 2:26 that the spirit leaves the body upon death, they are separated. So what happens to it? At death, the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecc. 12:7) and will be assigned its final disposition, according to the way we lived our lives. Upon death, the righteous will be with Christ. Philippians 1:23 says "But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ." In Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief on the cross that he would be with Christ in Paradise, where all the righteous go upon death. Nothing is said about any roaming the earth.
So what happens to the wicked upon death? Couldn't they possibly be stuck here, scaring all of us forever? Not even close. Psalms 116:3 tells of the wicked going to Sheol, and being in complete agony. In Matthew 22:13, the wicked will be met with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:46 might describe what happens in the simplest of terms. It reads "And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life". The evil spirits will not walk the earth, nor remain in a place called purgatory, trying to improve their standing with God. We have one chance here on earth to get it right with God.
Upon death, if we are right with God, there will be a blissful reunion with the other righteous. Gen. 25:8 tells us that Abraham was gathered with his people upon his death. Since he was a very long way from his home when he died, he was gathered with them after his death, in Paradise. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus says that many would sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Again, nothing is ever spoken about spirits being trapped here on earth. So though the Bible doesn't speak of ghosts, it doesn't need to, because they don't exist.
So, if they don't exist, what is it that so many people have seen or heard? What about so called 'reality' shows such as Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures? Remember, they are just shows that can be manipulated to show whatever they want us to see. And for those who think they have seen something? I can't explain away everything that people have witnessed, but we should keep in mind that our brains quite often can play tricks on us. If you believe in ghosts, and go into a place that is supposedly haunted, every shadow you see or noise you hear, will of course be a ghost. We also have a problem with letting loved ones go who have passed away, and our minds will lead us to believe that the shadow we see, or a certain smell, is that of our loved one. If you believe in God, and that the Bible is His Word, you must believe that upon death, our spirits return to Him.
There have been stories of ghosts for as long as recorded history has been around. There have also been stories of vampires, goblins, zombies, fairies and other creatures that the vast majority of people know don't exist, yet for some reason, ghosts took hold of our imagination and won't let go. As a Christian, the thought of being trapped here on earth for eternity is not even a pleasant thought. We are just pilgrims passing through in our lives, hopefully living righteously so we can spend eternity with God in Heaven. Ghost stories are fun to try to scare each other with, but they are simply no more than myths.
The biggest fear that man faces in life, is of course, death. Many people, especially those who are not Christians, are afraid of dying and the unknown of what happens after. The author of Psalms 55:4-5 describes death as 'terror'. Job describes death as "The king of terror" in Job 18:14. This is the way most people view death, and many try to combat this fear with the possibility of remaining here on earth, communicating with our loved ones. The Bible though tells us what happens upon our death, and never once mentions our spirit still roaming around here.
In 1 Thess. 4:14 and Daniel 12:2, scripture says that the body sleeps in death. The word sleep is from the Greek word 'Koimaomi', which simply means to lie down, not sleep as we know it. Now since these two verses do not mention the spirit after death, some will want to say the spirit continues on, maybe being trapped here for some reason. Of course, if we only would read other verses on this topic, it would help us understand.
James tells us in James 2:26 that the spirit leaves the body upon death, they are separated. So what happens to it? At death, the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecc. 12:7) and will be assigned its final disposition, according to the way we lived our lives. Upon death, the righteous will be with Christ. Philippians 1:23 says "But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ." In Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief on the cross that he would be with Christ in Paradise, where all the righteous go upon death. Nothing is said about any roaming the earth.
So what happens to the wicked upon death? Couldn't they possibly be stuck here, scaring all of us forever? Not even close. Psalms 116:3 tells of the wicked going to Sheol, and being in complete agony. In Matthew 22:13, the wicked will be met with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:46 might describe what happens in the simplest of terms. It reads "And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life". The evil spirits will not walk the earth, nor remain in a place called purgatory, trying to improve their standing with God. We have one chance here on earth to get it right with God.
Upon death, if we are right with God, there will be a blissful reunion with the other righteous. Gen. 25:8 tells us that Abraham was gathered with his people upon his death. Since he was a very long way from his home when he died, he was gathered with them after his death, in Paradise. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus says that many would sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Again, nothing is ever spoken about spirits being trapped here on earth. So though the Bible doesn't speak of ghosts, it doesn't need to, because they don't exist.
So, if they don't exist, what is it that so many people have seen or heard? What about so called 'reality' shows such as Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures? Remember, they are just shows that can be manipulated to show whatever they want us to see. And for those who think they have seen something? I can't explain away everything that people have witnessed, but we should keep in mind that our brains quite often can play tricks on us. If you believe in ghosts, and go into a place that is supposedly haunted, every shadow you see or noise you hear, will of course be a ghost. We also have a problem with letting loved ones go who have passed away, and our minds will lead us to believe that the shadow we see, or a certain smell, is that of our loved one. If you believe in God, and that the Bible is His Word, you must believe that upon death, our spirits return to Him.
There have been stories of ghosts for as long as recorded history has been around. There have also been stories of vampires, goblins, zombies, fairies and other creatures that the vast majority of people know don't exist, yet for some reason, ghosts took hold of our imagination and won't let go. As a Christian, the thought of being trapped here on earth for eternity is not even a pleasant thought. We are just pilgrims passing through in our lives, hopefully living righteously so we can spend eternity with God in Heaven. Ghost stories are fun to try to scare each other with, but they are simply no more than myths.
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