1 Peter 3:18-22 says: "18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people were saved through the water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 21 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand - with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him."
This is a big chunk of a verse to chew on and there could be many different sermons preached on this verse because it includes so many topics, but the thing I want to focus on is the baptism part of it. When one reads the first part of verse 21 "and this water symbolized baptism that now saves you also" one might conclude that it is the water baptism that saves you, but if we read on in the verse : "not by the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God." It is not the physical act of baptism that saves you, but the promise of a good conscience toward God. Baptism is a matter of the heart: "an outward reflection of an inward change" as one of the leaders of my old church used to say.
If we use Peter's comparison of baptism to Noah's flood we can come to some interesting conclusions. Peter stated that Noah and his family were saved through the water that covered the entire earth, however those that were covered by the water perished. The flood basically washed away all the evil, corrupt, unbelieving people of that world and humanity got a new start when Noah, his family, and the animals walked off the ark. The flood water cleansed the world. Yet, Noah would have never built the ark had God not called him, and thus none of us can be saved if we are not called and pulled by the Spirit to do so. Just as Jesus said "No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." John 6:65 So basically without the promise of God's salvation and our faith in him, we are no better than those people who were destroyed by the flood. Here's another important thing to note. Noah could have heard God's call and believed that the flood was going to happen, but if he wouldn't have built the ark, would even he have been saved? He showed that he truly believed by building the ark. His action was the result of his belief.
James states this very clearly in James 2: 14-26. Look at verse 18 and19, "But someone will say, 'You have faith, I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." Baptism is one of those first acts of obedience that shows to the world that you believe in God and furthermore in Jesus Christ and that you are going to entrust your life to him. It is the action that shows that you are turning from your old ways to God. This is what Peter meant by speaking of "a pledge of a good conscience toward God." It is a covenant between a person and God that the person is going to live for Christ. Peter also goes further to say that baptism "saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ", which was made possible by the Holy Spirit v. 18. Just as Jesus said in John 6:63-64 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe."
God told Noah what was going to happen and promised him that if he built an ark the way he was told, he would be saved from the flood. How hard it must have been to hear the jeers of the neighbors as they witnessed Noah building this ark. Yet Noah believed God and his actions showed it and he was saved.
In a similar way, God speaks to us by His Holy Spirit, through preachers, Christian music, but ultimately through his Word. He warns us of the danger of our sins: condemnation to Hell. He has provided a way to be saved by his own ark, Jesus Christ. We then have to decide whether we are going to believe in him or not. Believing and turning to him would mean eternal life. We can believe all we want, but if we do not turn, our belief is futile. One of the first steps to acting out faith is by baptism, a symbol that you are no longer going to live in sin, but that you are turning to God and trusting and believing in him. Baptism is the first of many acts that will be done from the faith of believing in the Almighty God and many of those acts will be jeered by others as God's Spirit continues to work through you.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Repent and be Baptized
There are a few other verses that those who believe that the act of water baptism saves a person use to try to convey their point. One is Acts 2:38-39, which states: "Peter replied, '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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Many read this verse and take it out of context, saying that Peter is telling the people that they must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to be saved. But let's take a look at the context. Christ had risen (as recorded in Acts 1) and the disciples had been praying and had selected another man to replace Judas (the one who betrayed Jesus). Then the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they were able to speak in other languages (Acts 2). There were Jews from other nations staying in Jerusalem. They heard the disciples and were astonished that each could hear the words spoken in his own language. Peter explains what is going on and tells them about Jesus and what had been happening the past few months. He tells them in Acts 2:36: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
The Jews responded. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" Acts 2:37. Then Peter tells them, "Repent and be baptized..." They all had heard Peter's message and believed and wanted to do something about it. Peter told them to "Repent..." which meant to turn away from their sins and turn to God, as described in Acts 3:19: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." This turning to God is what really cleans us and saves us, it is God alone that is able to forgive sin and purify the sinner for His glory. I may get into repentence later, but the topic for now is to show that baptism doesn't save you, only God does. As Peter said earlier when he was quoting the prophets: "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Acts 2:21).
Also there is the Holy Spirit. Some use Acts 2:38 to say that people do not get the Holy Spirit until after they have been baptized. Ephesians 1:13-14 helps to clear this up. It says: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." In verse 13 we see that believing in the word or truth, believing that Christ came and died for our sins and was raised again on the third day, is what gives us the Holy Spirit. When we truly believe in our hearts, the Holy Spirit comes in and is a deposit "guaranteeing our inheritance." Romans 8:16-17 states: The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." So our inheritance is sharing in Christ's glory, that is, I believe referring to Heaven.
So getting back to Acts 2:38, if this belief was all that was needed to be saved, why did Peter tell the Jews to get baptized? Well for one thing it was what Jesus had told them to do in Matthew28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Another reason was that baptism is following Jesus's example found in Matthew 3:13-17. Yet another reason was that this marked the transition of the Old Testament beliefs to the New Testament. The Messiah had come as was promised and this baptism was the first act of obedience that a person who believed in Jesus did to show others that they truly believed. The Jews in the story were accepting God's grace.
Other verses to note:
Acts 10 (especially verses 44-48): Here God arranged for Peter to go to a Gentile's (a non-Jew) house to share the message of Jesus there. The Gentiles believe and the Holy Spirit comes on them before they are baptized.
Acts 19 (verses 1-7) Paul finds two of John the Baptist's disciples and they do not receive the Spirit until after baptism and after Paul laid his hands on them.
Romans 10:9-13 Belief in the heart and confession of that belief is important.
1 Peter 3:18-22 (especially verse 21) I will attempt to explain this verse next time, but it really explains itself.
Many read this verse and take it out of context, saying that Peter is telling the people that they must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to be saved. But let's take a look at the context. Christ had risen (as recorded in Acts 1) and the disciples had been praying and had selected another man to replace Judas (the one who betrayed Jesus). Then the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they were able to speak in other languages (Acts 2). There were Jews from other nations staying in Jerusalem. They heard the disciples and were astonished that each could hear the words spoken in his own language. Peter explains what is going on and tells them about Jesus and what had been happening the past few months. He tells them in Acts 2:36: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
The Jews responded. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" Acts 2:37. Then Peter tells them, "Repent and be baptized..." They all had heard Peter's message and believed and wanted to do something about it. Peter told them to "Repent..." which meant to turn away from their sins and turn to God, as described in Acts 3:19: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." This turning to God is what really cleans us and saves us, it is God alone that is able to forgive sin and purify the sinner for His glory. I may get into repentence later, but the topic for now is to show that baptism doesn't save you, only God does. As Peter said earlier when he was quoting the prophets: "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Acts 2:21).
Also there is the Holy Spirit. Some use Acts 2:38 to say that people do not get the Holy Spirit until after they have been baptized. Ephesians 1:13-14 helps to clear this up. It says: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." In verse 13 we see that believing in the word or truth, believing that Christ came and died for our sins and was raised again on the third day, is what gives us the Holy Spirit. When we truly believe in our hearts, the Holy Spirit comes in and is a deposit "guaranteeing our inheritance." Romans 8:16-17 states: The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." So our inheritance is sharing in Christ's glory, that is, I believe referring to Heaven.
So getting back to Acts 2:38, if this belief was all that was needed to be saved, why did Peter tell the Jews to get baptized? Well for one thing it was what Jesus had told them to do in Matthew28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Another reason was that baptism is following Jesus's example found in Matthew 3:13-17. Yet another reason was that this marked the transition of the Old Testament beliefs to the New Testament. The Messiah had come as was promised and this baptism was the first act of obedience that a person who believed in Jesus did to show others that they truly believed. The Jews in the story were accepting God's grace.
Other verses to note:
Acts 10 (especially verses 44-48): Here God arranged for Peter to go to a Gentile's (a non-Jew) house to share the message of Jesus there. The Gentiles believe and the Holy Spirit comes on them before they are baptized.
Acts 19 (verses 1-7) Paul finds two of John the Baptist's disciples and they do not receive the Spirit until after baptism and after Paul laid his hands on them.
Romans 10:9-13 Belief in the heart and confession of that belief is important.
1 Peter 3:18-22 (especially verse 21) I will attempt to explain this verse next time, but it really explains itself.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Born Again
Just a note, last post I used the New American Standard version of the Bible. I will mainly use the NIV because it is the version I am used to using. If I do use a different translation or version, I will be sure to note it.
A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to talk to him. Jesus got straight to the point when he said "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (This story comes from John 3, this is verse 3). Nicodemus then asks the obvious question, How can one be born again?
Jesus states in the following verses: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." So what does that mean? What I get from this verse it that we are physically born from our mothers, but the rebirth that Jesus was talking about was a spiritual one and this birth is "of water and the Spirit." Does that mean that in order to be saved from Hell and go to Heaven one must be baptized?
Well let's take a look at what Jesus says later on in John Chapter 3. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18 (KJV). It seems that in verse 18 Jesus is saying that belief is the important thing, for those who do not believe are condemned, because they did not believe in Jesus Christ.
One of the verses mainly used by those who profess baptism as required for salvation is Mark 16:16 which states: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (KJV). Many focus on the first part of the verse, that you must believe and be baptized to be saved. However, if you get baptized and think you are saved because of your action and don't truly believe in God, the second part says that those who don't believe will be condemned. So which is more important according to this verse? It seems that belief is most important. So where then does baptism fit into salvation? I have found that a person gets baptized because of salvation and not for salvation. More on this in the next post.
A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to talk to him. Jesus got straight to the point when he said "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (This story comes from John 3, this is verse 3). Nicodemus then asks the obvious question, How can one be born again?
Jesus states in the following verses: "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." So what does that mean? What I get from this verse it that we are physically born from our mothers, but the rebirth that Jesus was talking about was a spiritual one and this birth is "of water and the Spirit." Does that mean that in order to be saved from Hell and go to Heaven one must be baptized?
Well let's take a look at what Jesus says later on in John Chapter 3. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18 (KJV). It seems that in verse 18 Jesus is saying that belief is the important thing, for those who do not believe are condemned, because they did not believe in Jesus Christ.
One of the verses mainly used by those who profess baptism as required for salvation is Mark 16:16 which states: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (KJV). Many focus on the first part of the verse, that you must believe and be baptized to be saved. However, if you get baptized and think you are saved because of your action and don't truly believe in God, the second part says that those who don't believe will be condemned. So which is more important according to this verse? It seems that belief is most important. So where then does baptism fit into salvation? I have found that a person gets baptized because of salvation and not for salvation. More on this in the next post.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
In the Beginning...
There are lots of different religions out there and each of them claim to be the right one. I am personally a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Christ and that by Him we are saved. Saved from what? you might be asking. Well, saved from the consequences of our wrongdoings (sins), namely Hell. How do we get saved from this place (or condition) that is totally without God and without any of the good things He has placed into the world. Think about it, life with God is truly eternal life, full of love, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, peace and rest. Life without God (and thus anything good) is full of turmoil, rape, murder, distress, hatred, and pain.
We on earth are caught in-between these two extremes. God made a world in the beginning and called it "good" Genesis 1-2. Then Adam and Eve ate from the fruit they were not supposed to: the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now mankind not only knew good, but evil as well. Thus mankind was driven from the garden Genesis 3. Our world is a mix of heaven and hell. We can do good to each other, but at the same time we have the capability to do evil. We all have that fallen situation with God Romans 3:23. We've all done wrong at one time or another (I know I have!) And the payment for our wrongdoings is death Romans 6:23, not only death in this life, but death in the next Revelation 20:11-15.
So how do we avoid this spiritual death and get right with God? Well if we look at the second part of Romans 6:23 we see that we can have life from the free gift offered by God of His Son, Jesus Christ. Also Romans 3:24 says that we are "justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." So God has given His Only Begotten Son as a gift: Jesus' death on the cross is the sacrifice that pays for our sins. Now the offer is the gift of eternal life and it is free. But how does one accept this gift? Do we just believe or is there something we have to do? Is there a special prayer we have to say? I will be discussing these questions (as they are not so simple) in more depth on my next posts.
We on earth are caught in-between these two extremes. God made a world in the beginning and called it "good" Genesis 1-2. Then Adam and Eve ate from the fruit they were not supposed to: the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now mankind not only knew good, but evil as well. Thus mankind was driven from the garden Genesis 3. Our world is a mix of heaven and hell. We can do good to each other, but at the same time we have the capability to do evil. We all have that fallen situation with God Romans 3:23. We've all done wrong at one time or another (I know I have!) And the payment for our wrongdoings is death Romans 6:23, not only death in this life, but death in the next Revelation 20:11-15.
So how do we avoid this spiritual death and get right with God? Well if we look at the second part of Romans 6:23 we see that we can have life from the free gift offered by God of His Son, Jesus Christ. Also Romans 3:24 says that we are "justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus." So God has given His Only Begotten Son as a gift: Jesus' death on the cross is the sacrifice that pays for our sins. Now the offer is the gift of eternal life and it is free. But how does one accept this gift? Do we just believe or is there something we have to do? Is there a special prayer we have to say? I will be discussing these questions (as they are not so simple) in more depth on my next posts.
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