Luke 24:6 "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how
He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee"
Today we are going to be talking about the most important doctrine and truth of the Christian faith - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In Luke 24 we witness the events surrounding the morning in which He had raised from the dead. We know the resurrection to be the most important Christian doctrine, since without it, Christianity cannot exist. (1 Corinthians 15:19) The Resurrection issues forth four essential elements that enable Christianity to be a living Christianity. I will list them and then deal with them briefly one at a time:
1. Living Scriptures
2. Living Christ
3. Living Proclamation
4. Living Testimony
1. Living Christianity is built around the Living Christ
The Angel's assertion to the women who came to the tomb was "He is not here, He is Risen". This statement constitutes the most fundamental truth of the Christian faith. We assert the centrality of the crucifixion of Jesus - without which Christianity would be in crisis. However without the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity is dead. The Resurrection validates the identity and accomplishment of Jesus Christ.
2. The Living Scriptures Center upon the Living Christ
Luke 24:1-12 shows us the episode of the women coming to the empty tomb. What the angel spoke to them in Luke 24:6 constitutes the heart of the Christian Good News (the Gospel) - namely that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. The angel was bring to their attention the living words of God. These words that we have in written form are of course the Bible, from the Latin term scriptura meaning "those things written". The Angel reminds the women that Jesus Himself had predicted His own, death, burial and resurrection. Years later, when the four Gospels were composed, those very statements were recorded stated by Jesus on at least half a dozen occassions.
3. Living Scriptures, about the Living Christ require Living Proclamation
In Luke 24:9 the women ran from the tomb and "proclaimed" to the rest of the disciples what they had seen and heard. The idea of communicating God's truth has always been a central hall mark of true Biblical faith. In the Old Testament the Prophets' preaching centered around Prediction and Explanation. When Jesus Christ came preaching went from prediction to pronouncement. The King and His Kingdom were not merely coming, He was here!
However there still was the element of anticipation, since the arrival of the King meant that He was going to achieve something significant in His realm. When Christ raised from the dead, preaching and communication of God's word went from pronouncement to proclamation. Proclamation is way different from the first two, in that there is no longer anticipation, but completion. The victory has been won! Jesus Christ demonstrated Himself to be both the living God and Perfect man! Preaching or proclamation that lives centers its content around the victory of the cross demonstrated in Christ's resurrection from the dead.
4. Living testimonies issue forth from living proclamation of the living scriptures about the living Christ
Luke 24:8-9 tells us the response of the women to the angels words: "And they remembered His words, 9and returned from the tomb and reported all these
things to the eleven and to all the rest." These women had a living Christianity that overflowed into the telling of their own personal experience - their testimony. Like a testimony in a court of law, the value is confirmed by experience, tested by evidence and confirmes what took place. Matthew 28:8, the parallel text to Luke's, records these details: "And they left the tomb quickly with fear and
great joy and ran to report it to His disciples."
A Living Christianity that centers itself around the Living Christ, Living Scriptures, Living Proclamation and Living Testimony is the only hope for a dying world.
Welcome to Growing Christian Resources, where you can search over 2,000 resources pertaining to your Christian walk, the explanation and defense of the Christian worldview and links to audio and video resources. Please checkout the New Hope podcast at www.gcrpodcast.wordpress.com and www.newhope-ny.org. For those desiring to dig-deeper into the scriptures, please check out www.biblicalexegete.wordpress.com.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Four Purposes of the Lord's Supper
1 Corinthians 11:28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and
drink of the cup.
In today's blog we want to understand the purposes for which the Lord's Supper was prescribed by the Lord Jesus Christ to His church. Regular observance of this "meal" by the local church enables the body of Christ to maintain its corporate identity and grow closer as a body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) Below are four reasons why celebrating the Lord's supper is vital to Christians both individually and as members of the local church.
1. The Lord's Supper is used by Christ to repair divisions
The letter of 1 Corinthians was written to a church that was fractured in its fellowship. Out of the 10 churches that the Apostle Paul wrote to in his 13 New Testament Epistles, the church at Corinth was the most heartbreaking. Jesus had prayed in John 17:21 that His church as a whole would be one as He and the Father are one. Clearly the church at Corinth was going in the opposite direction - which is why the Holy Ghost inserted instructions about the Lord's Supper. The Lord's supper gives the church the opportunity to seek forgiveness, heal division and fix fellowship issues that may have arisen since the last Lord's supper. (1 Corinthians 11:28-34)
2. The Lord's Supper is used to remember the cross
The cross in the scriptures was the event that the Holy Spirit used to point me to the source of my salvation. Additionally, the cross is the place the Holy Spirit uses to cleanse me in my post-conversion sanctification. The cross must never be forgotten. (1 Corinthians 2:2) The Lord's table intentionally focuses the entire church on all the signifcance and daily need for the cross. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
3. The Lord's Supper urges the church to repeat the Gospel
The Gospel of Jesus Christ focuses upon what Jesus came to do in His first coming - accomplish salvation. The Gospel also tells us how we can be saved from the reality of God's wrath that is coming upon this world in Christ's second coming. (Romans 5:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) As an ordinance, like Baptism, the Lord's table conveys the Gospel in picture rather than words. By the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ communicates and reinforces these truths to the hearts of His church through their observance of His ordinance (1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:26) This is why the Lord's table is celebrated in conjunction with the communication of the scriptures.
4. The Lord's Supper gives the believer a chance to re-examine their walk with the Lord
We are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to "examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith". What kinds of questions are good to ask myself when getting ready to receive the Lord's Supper (or communion, as it is sometimes called)? What if any unconfessed sin has crept into my life since I last partook of the Lord's supper? Do I have any resentment towards anyone? Have I grown cold in my love for Jesus, His Word or prayer? How am I doing in the areas of supporting the local church of which I am a member through my giving of tithes and offerings? Am I mad at God? Have I done anything to grieve His Spirit? Have I seen growth and change in my life for the glory of God? What has God shown me about Himself since the last time I partook of His meal?
Questions like the ones above remind the Christian of the need for daily examination. There is no cruise control on the steering column of the Christian life. We don't coast, we aim to strive for all we can in Christ, since it is He who is working in us His perfect and pleasing will. (Philippians 3:12-13)
In today's blog we want to understand the purposes for which the Lord's Supper was prescribed by the Lord Jesus Christ to His church. Regular observance of this "meal" by the local church enables the body of Christ to maintain its corporate identity and grow closer as a body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) Below are four reasons why celebrating the Lord's supper is vital to Christians both individually and as members of the local church.
1. The Lord's Supper is used by Christ to repair divisions
The letter of 1 Corinthians was written to a church that was fractured in its fellowship. Out of the 10 churches that the Apostle Paul wrote to in his 13 New Testament Epistles, the church at Corinth was the most heartbreaking. Jesus had prayed in John 17:21 that His church as a whole would be one as He and the Father are one. Clearly the church at Corinth was going in the opposite direction - which is why the Holy Ghost inserted instructions about the Lord's Supper. The Lord's supper gives the church the opportunity to seek forgiveness, heal division and fix fellowship issues that may have arisen since the last Lord's supper. (1 Corinthians 11:28-34)
2. The Lord's Supper is used to remember the cross
The cross in the scriptures was the event that the Holy Spirit used to point me to the source of my salvation. Additionally, the cross is the place the Holy Spirit uses to cleanse me in my post-conversion sanctification. The cross must never be forgotten. (1 Corinthians 2:2) The Lord's table intentionally focuses the entire church on all the signifcance and daily need for the cross. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
3. The Lord's Supper urges the church to repeat the Gospel
The Gospel of Jesus Christ focuses upon what Jesus came to do in His first coming - accomplish salvation. The Gospel also tells us how we can be saved from the reality of God's wrath that is coming upon this world in Christ's second coming. (Romans 5:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10) As an ordinance, like Baptism, the Lord's table conveys the Gospel in picture rather than words. By the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ communicates and reinforces these truths to the hearts of His church through their observance of His ordinance (1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:26) This is why the Lord's table is celebrated in conjunction with the communication of the scriptures.
4. The Lord's Supper gives the believer a chance to re-examine their walk with the Lord
We are told in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to "examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith". What kinds of questions are good to ask myself when getting ready to receive the Lord's Supper (or communion, as it is sometimes called)? What if any unconfessed sin has crept into my life since I last partook of the Lord's supper? Do I have any resentment towards anyone? Have I grown cold in my love for Jesus, His Word or prayer? How am I doing in the areas of supporting the local church of which I am a member through my giving of tithes and offerings? Am I mad at God? Have I done anything to grieve His Spirit? Have I seen growth and change in my life for the glory of God? What has God shown me about Himself since the last time I partook of His meal?
Questions like the ones above remind the Christian of the need for daily examination. There is no cruise control on the steering column of the Christian life. We don't coast, we aim to strive for all we can in Christ, since it is He who is working in us His perfect and pleasing will. (Philippians 3:12-13)
Monday, March 26, 2012
The significance of the Lord's Supper
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord
Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and
said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way He took the cup also
after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as
often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
The Importance of the Lord's Supper
We typically refer to the final meal that the Lord Jesus Christ had with his disciples the night before His crucifixion as "the Lord's Supper". All four Gospels and Paul's statements here in 1 Corinthians 11 (as well as 1 Corinthians 10) are the primary texts we look to when discerning the meaning and purpose of the Lord's supper. Paul emphasizes that he had "received from the Lord that which I delivered to you", giving us the chief reason why the Lord's table is so important: Jesus Himself gave it to His church to practice, to celebrate what He accomplished, and to anticipate His soon return.
The Lord's Supper was an ordinance given by Christ to His church, along with Baptism
Last week I blogged about the meaning, mode and place of Baptism in the Christian life. I won't rehearse that material again, since it is available in the past blogs. I will point out to the reader that when Jesus prescribed ordinances (commands or "orders" given by the Lord to be carried out by His church), two, and only two were given: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
We know this first of all by the fact that Baptism occurs at the beginning of each Gospel and the instiution of the Lord's Supper is found at the end of each of the four Gospels. Both are consistently practiced by the early church in Acts and both are taught in the Epistles. Both picture the Gospel in some way and both are used by Christ to encourage the faith of the New Testament believer.
Baptism's connection to the Lord's Supper
Just as Baptism is performed following the believer's faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord's Supper is an act that follows after the believer has been baptized. Acts 2:38-42 gives the standard order of events in the life of the Christian: Conversion to Christ by grace through faith, followed by believer's baptism, then participation in the "breaking of bread" or the Lord's supper.
While Baptism signifies a one time act, the Lord's Supper signifies continual and repeated practice. Baptism, being the Christian's first major step of Christian obedience, determines who should partake of the Lord's table. The Lord's table is a believer's table - first and foremost. Secondly, the Lord's table points to His Lordship, His ownership of the Christian. In approaching the Lord's table, the Christian comes with the attitude of remembering Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Reasons such as these are why Baptist Churches typically require all those partaking of the Lord's table to be both genuine converts of Christ who have been immersed in believer's Baptism.
What the Lord's Supper Means - Picture and Encouragement to the faithlife
The Lord's Supper points us in two directions: what Christ accomplished and who Christ is. The Lord's Supper pictures and communicates Christ the God/man. The ordinary elements of bread and fruit of the vine picture for us His humanity, of which being God He assumed when He came to earth in order to die for our sins. Through the Lord's table the Christian is encouraged in their faith-life about the centrality and significance of Christ's finished work on the cross and His intercession for them in Heaven as the God/Man.
With the focus on His humanity/Deity and his accomplishment in His first coming, the Lord's Supper also points us forward to His second coming. The Gospels and 1 Corinthians 11 tells us that the church is to celebrate the Lord's Supper until He returns. Therefore the Lord's Supper encourages the faithwalk of Christians to lift their eyes to the hills from whence comes there help. (Psalm 121)
The Importance of the Lord's Supper
We typically refer to the final meal that the Lord Jesus Christ had with his disciples the night before His crucifixion as "the Lord's Supper". All four Gospels and Paul's statements here in 1 Corinthians 11 (as well as 1 Corinthians 10) are the primary texts we look to when discerning the meaning and purpose of the Lord's supper. Paul emphasizes that he had "received from the Lord that which I delivered to you", giving us the chief reason why the Lord's table is so important: Jesus Himself gave it to His church to practice, to celebrate what He accomplished, and to anticipate His soon return.
The Lord's Supper was an ordinance given by Christ to His church, along with Baptism
Last week I blogged about the meaning, mode and place of Baptism in the Christian life. I won't rehearse that material again, since it is available in the past blogs. I will point out to the reader that when Jesus prescribed ordinances (commands or "orders" given by the Lord to be carried out by His church), two, and only two were given: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
We know this first of all by the fact that Baptism occurs at the beginning of each Gospel and the instiution of the Lord's Supper is found at the end of each of the four Gospels. Both are consistently practiced by the early church in Acts and both are taught in the Epistles. Both picture the Gospel in some way and both are used by Christ to encourage the faith of the New Testament believer.
Baptism's connection to the Lord's Supper
Just as Baptism is performed following the believer's faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord's Supper is an act that follows after the believer has been baptized. Acts 2:38-42 gives the standard order of events in the life of the Christian: Conversion to Christ by grace through faith, followed by believer's baptism, then participation in the "breaking of bread" or the Lord's supper.
While Baptism signifies a one time act, the Lord's Supper signifies continual and repeated practice. Baptism, being the Christian's first major step of Christian obedience, determines who should partake of the Lord's table. The Lord's table is a believer's table - first and foremost. Secondly, the Lord's table points to His Lordship, His ownership of the Christian. In approaching the Lord's table, the Christian comes with the attitude of remembering Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Reasons such as these are why Baptist Churches typically require all those partaking of the Lord's table to be both genuine converts of Christ who have been immersed in believer's Baptism.
What the Lord's Supper Means - Picture and Encouragement to the faithlife
The Lord's Supper points us in two directions: what Christ accomplished and who Christ is. The Lord's Supper pictures and communicates Christ the God/man. The ordinary elements of bread and fruit of the vine picture for us His humanity, of which being God He assumed when He came to earth in order to die for our sins. Through the Lord's table the Christian is encouraged in their faith-life about the centrality and significance of Christ's finished work on the cross and His intercession for them in Heaven as the God/Man.
With the focus on His humanity/Deity and his accomplishment in His first coming, the Lord's Supper also points us forward to His second coming. The Gospels and 1 Corinthians 11 tells us that the church is to celebrate the Lord's Supper until He returns. Therefore the Lord's Supper encourages the faithwalk of Christians to lift their eyes to the hills from whence comes there help. (Psalm 121)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Defining the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
What is the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”?
John the Baptist told the people whom he was ministering to that the One coming after him would baptize them with the "Holy Spirit and fire". (Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16) When we consider John the Baptist's statements in those first three gospels, it is vital to take those statements and read them in light of a clearer text that was written in the same context. We find such a one in John 1:24-34. Jesus' role of "baptizing with the Holy Spirit" in John 1:33 is connected to His teaching about the New Birth in John 3:1-6. The meaning of "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is the Spirit's New Covenant ministry of placing a believer into union with Jesus Christ at conversion.
Why Jesus' statements about the Spirit's Ministry are vital in understanding the idea of "Spirit baptism"
John 2 is the vital bridge between John 1 and 3, since the miracle of changing water into wine was designed to reveal the New Covenant ministry of Christ, which would include His sending of the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant ministry's chief work would entail the Holy Spirit leading men, women, boys and girls to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins so as to follow Him as their Lord. (John 16:7-16) In contrast to the Old Covenant, which had the Holy Spirit ministering to God's people from the outside to inside, the New Covenant would be marked by the Holy Spirit working from inside to outside. (please compare Ezekiel 11:17-20 and 2 Corinthians 3)
Both Old Covenant saints and New Covenant Saints were saved in the same way, by grace through faith. What distinguishes New Covenant Christianity from Old Covenant Judaism is a richer and greater amount of God's presence and power due to Jesus Christ and the sending of the Spirit. The Spirit's work of uniting the believer in conversion to the New Covenant's central Person - the Lord Jesus Christ, is key to understanding the meaning of Spirit baptism.
Spirit baptism marks the beginning of the Christian life in union with Christ
John's statements about Jesus "Baptizing with the Spirit" centers more on what occurs at salvation, since the Spirit of God brings a person "into union with Christ". 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, our main passage above, confirms this reading. The Holy Spirit's coming in Acts was to usher in the church age, wherein the Spirit's chief work would be to convict sinners of their need for Christ. Additionally, the Holy Spirit enables believers to live out the Christian life through prayer, scripture and their union with one another in the local church as they carry out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Spirit Baptism is another way of describing one's conversion
We read in Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism". What Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 pertains to a person being brought into union with Christ at salvation. This "baptism by the Holy Spirit" is the unseen reality that occurs in the heart at saving faith. Therefore in order for the new convert to testify as to what took place, a re-enactment is in order. Thus Water Baptism, the subject of the past few blogs, is necessary for the new believer's obedience.
How water baptism pictures what took place in Spirit Baptism
Water Baptism is picturing for that new Christian the reality that took place in conversion. The picture, or sign, is identical to what it is signifying - namely when the Holy Spirit "baptized" or "united" that person into Christ at salvation. We are dealing with "one Baptism", wherein Spirit Baptism being the reality and water Baptism being the picture of that reality.
Why does this issue matter to the Christian?
Due to the differences of opinion that exists between genuine believers in Jesus Christ who love and serve the Lord, it is important to know what we believe, why we believe and how we will instruct new converts on their next step. Whatever we hold to in regards to the doctrine of Baptism explains what we hold to in our understanding of the Gospel - since baptism is Christ's ordained picture of it.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Why a Christian must be baptized
Matthew 28:19-20 19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Two ditches I have witnessed in discussions about water Baptism
Today's blog is going to deal with the specific question concerning the necessity of believer's baptism. In my time in serving the Lord in ministry, I have witnessed two ditches that can be fell into when it comes to this particular issue. The first states that all the Bible is concerned about is conversion, and that Baptism is a distant secondary concern. Some will cite the thief on the cross who trusted in Christ without getting baptized as proof of baptism being optional for the disciple. The second ditch is where we see baptism being viewed as necessary for one's conversion. Sometimes appeal to passages such as Acts 2:38, where Peter states "repent and be baptized", are cited as proof that baptism must be connected to saving faith in order for genuine salvation to occur.
The first ditch takes water Baptism too lightly - making it an option, a "nice thing to do for Jesus, but not required". The thief on the cross did not need Baptism to gain entry into paradise - that much we know - for Jesus told Him "Today you will be with me in paradise". If that thief would had been under different circumstances, following His trust in Christ he would had sought to follow the Lord in obedience into believer's baptism - since obedience is the chief way we express our love to the Lord. (John 14:15,21-23). The second ditch misplaces baptism, making it a "means of salvation" or going as far as to say that the baptismal act itself confers the miracle of salvation. In attempting to take seriously the command to be baptized, the second view goes too far.
Why Baptism is not optional, but essential for obedience
In the passage above, Jesus did not call us to merely make "converts", but disciples, meaning that those who by grace through faith believe on Him as a result of hearing the Gospel will want to be like their Lord. Now verse 20 has Jesus telling His disciples to teach "all that I command you". The question is: what has He commanded? Answer: begin by reading verse 19. As you look at verse 19, you find among the things commanded by Christ the command to be baptized.
When one became a disciple, they did so by heeding the call of Christ issued to them by faith. By denying themselves and taking up their cross so to speak, they followed Jesus Christ. (Luke 9:23-24) But now what public act was necessary for them to declare their faith in Jesus Christ? Believer's Baptism! Now a genuine Christian will want to get baptized, just as a baby who has been born will want to walk. Though both are distinct events, yet it is what the baby was born to do. This is why the "new birth" language of Jesus in John 3:6 aids our understanding of the relationship of "conversion by faith" with that of "obedience in believer's baptism".
Jesus teaches in John 14:15, as well as John 14:21 and 23, that all those who love Him "will obey His commands". Thus when I counsel a new Christian to get Baptized, it is an area where they don't have to go home and pray to God about His will for them, since He has plainly made know His will on that matter.
Why baptism is so important for the New Christian
1. It encourages the New Christian in their faith
Baptism sets the tone for the Christian. It helps that new believer, and those around them, to witness with physical eyes a reinactment of the change the Spirit of God performed on the day of saving faith prior to that Baptism.
2. It reminds the believer of the sweetness of their prior faith commitment
Furthermore, in Baptism the Lord affirms to that Christian their identity. By grace through faith they have put on Jesus Christ, exchanging their former lost condition for Him. The picture of baptism is used by God to communicate to that person the work He did already when they had trusted in Him.
3. It pictures the Christian wanting to operate under an open heaven of the Spirit's leading
Additionally, just as the heavens opened when Jesus was Baptized in the Jordon River in the openings of all four gospels, conveying to Him further illumination and insight by the Holy Spirit, the Christian's obedience in believer's baptism communicates their desire to operate under an open heaven. When I as a Christian allign myself with God's Word, I'm indicating the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:1)
Baptism is not entered into in order to become a Christian, rather because one has become a Christian they desire to be baptized. The human heart is changed by the Spirit in the presence of the explanation of God's word as that person receives Christ by faith. All Baptism does is reenact that blessed reality and bring to light to physical eyes what invisible work the Spirit of God did the day He called, convicted and convinced that person to believe on Jesus Christ.
Though Baptism is not essential for conversion, it is essential for obedience. Though baptism does not convert people into the Kingdom, yet those who have been converted by faith will want to get baptized.
Two ditches I have witnessed in discussions about water Baptism
Today's blog is going to deal with the specific question concerning the necessity of believer's baptism. In my time in serving the Lord in ministry, I have witnessed two ditches that can be fell into when it comes to this particular issue. The first states that all the Bible is concerned about is conversion, and that Baptism is a distant secondary concern. Some will cite the thief on the cross who trusted in Christ without getting baptized as proof of baptism being optional for the disciple. The second ditch is where we see baptism being viewed as necessary for one's conversion. Sometimes appeal to passages such as Acts 2:38, where Peter states "repent and be baptized", are cited as proof that baptism must be connected to saving faith in order for genuine salvation to occur.
The first ditch takes water Baptism too lightly - making it an option, a "nice thing to do for Jesus, but not required". The thief on the cross did not need Baptism to gain entry into paradise - that much we know - for Jesus told Him "Today you will be with me in paradise". If that thief would had been under different circumstances, following His trust in Christ he would had sought to follow the Lord in obedience into believer's baptism - since obedience is the chief way we express our love to the Lord. (John 14:15,21-23). The second ditch misplaces baptism, making it a "means of salvation" or going as far as to say that the baptismal act itself confers the miracle of salvation. In attempting to take seriously the command to be baptized, the second view goes too far.
Why Baptism is not optional, but essential for obedience
In the passage above, Jesus did not call us to merely make "converts", but disciples, meaning that those who by grace through faith believe on Him as a result of hearing the Gospel will want to be like their Lord. Now verse 20 has Jesus telling His disciples to teach "all that I command you". The question is: what has He commanded? Answer: begin by reading verse 19. As you look at verse 19, you find among the things commanded by Christ the command to be baptized.
When one became a disciple, they did so by heeding the call of Christ issued to them by faith. By denying themselves and taking up their cross so to speak, they followed Jesus Christ. (Luke 9:23-24) But now what public act was necessary for them to declare their faith in Jesus Christ? Believer's Baptism! Now a genuine Christian will want to get baptized, just as a baby who has been born will want to walk. Though both are distinct events, yet it is what the baby was born to do. This is why the "new birth" language of Jesus in John 3:6 aids our understanding of the relationship of "conversion by faith" with that of "obedience in believer's baptism".
Jesus teaches in John 14:15, as well as John 14:21 and 23, that all those who love Him "will obey His commands". Thus when I counsel a new Christian to get Baptized, it is an area where they don't have to go home and pray to God about His will for them, since He has plainly made know His will on that matter.
Why baptism is so important for the New Christian
1. It encourages the New Christian in their faith
Baptism sets the tone for the Christian. It helps that new believer, and those around them, to witness with physical eyes a reinactment of the change the Spirit of God performed on the day of saving faith prior to that Baptism.
2. It reminds the believer of the sweetness of their prior faith commitment
Furthermore, in Baptism the Lord affirms to that Christian their identity. By grace through faith they have put on Jesus Christ, exchanging their former lost condition for Him. The picture of baptism is used by God to communicate to that person the work He did already when they had trusted in Him.
3. It pictures the Christian wanting to operate under an open heaven of the Spirit's leading
Additionally, just as the heavens opened when Jesus was Baptized in the Jordon River in the openings of all four gospels, conveying to Him further illumination and insight by the Holy Spirit, the Christian's obedience in believer's baptism communicates their desire to operate under an open heaven. When I as a Christian allign myself with God's Word, I'm indicating the desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:6-8; Ephesians 4:1)
Baptism is not entered into in order to become a Christian, rather because one has become a Christian they desire to be baptized. The human heart is changed by the Spirit in the presence of the explanation of God's word as that person receives Christ by faith. All Baptism does is reenact that blessed reality and bring to light to physical eyes what invisible work the Spirit of God did the day He called, convicted and convinced that person to believe on Jesus Christ.
Though Baptism is not essential for conversion, it is essential for obedience. Though baptism does not convert people into the Kingdom, yet those who have been converted by faith will want to get baptized.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Defining Baptism as an ordinance
Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit,
What is an ordinance?
Baptism will sometimes be referred to as an "ordinance". Why? The word "ordinance" comes from the Latin term ordinis that refers to a statement of order, law or decree from an authority. An ordinance entails three characteristics: First, the practice must have been taught by Christ in the Gospels, practiced or preached in the Book of Acts and practiced or preached in the New Testament Letters. The second trait of an ordinance is that it pictures the Gospel. In the New Testament there are two such practices that fit this definition: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Then finally, an ordinance, being a decree, is issued from Christ to His church.
Baptism is an ordinance because it is practiced and preached throughout the New Testament
In the opening of all four Gospels, Jesus is Baptized (immersed) by John the Baptist in the Jordon River. John then spoke of how Jesus would later on baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4,8). Baptism's primary meaning is that of immerse, with its secondary meaning being that of "brought into connection or indentification with someone". Thus John was speaking of the Holy Spirit's ministry of uniting believers with Jesus Christ in the New Covenant reality of the church. (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
As we come to the Book of Acts, Baptism is practiced and taught throughout the early church. In passages such as Acts 2:41; 16:33; 18:8 and 22:16, we see believers, new converts, being baptized and then received into membership in the local church.
Then in terms of the New Testament Letters (Epistles), we see Paul refer to Baptism in his writings (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:11). Peter too mentions Baptism in 1 Peter 3:18-21. These texts are the main places I take new converts to in explaining the practice and meaning of Baptism.
Baptism is an ordinance because it proclaims the Gospel in picture form
When Christ was setting the foundations for the New Testament Church, he designated the Gospel to be proclaimed verbally through preaching and teaching, and pictured by means of the ordinances of Baptism and Lord's Supper. For example, Baptism pictures the "putting away of the life, and putting on the new life". (Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11-12) Jesus speaks of the New Birth experience in John 3:3-6. Also too, the Apostle Paul shows how Baptism pictures our prior identification with Christ in His Death, Burial and Resurrection, something of which occupies over 30% of the content of the four Gospels. (Romans 6:4-11) The Apostle Peter speaks of Baptism picturing the pledge of a good conscience and the removal of dirt from the conscience. (1 Peter 3:18-21) Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the Blood of Christ at salvation cleanses the conscience.
We must understand that Baptism is "picturing" that supernatural change that occurs at salvation, rather than it being part of the actual salvation experience itself. Baptism does not bring about salvation, rather it is an essential picture of that inward reality. Baptism is an ordinance, a sign, signifiying externally a prior invisible reality that occurs by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is an ordinance because Christ gave it to His church
In all of the passages cited above, not one of them occur apart from connection with or practice of Baptism in the local church. Christ issued forth, "ordained" baptism to be administered through the agency of the local church. The Apostles and later leaders in the church administered the rite. Even though Baptism is commonly administered by ordained Pastors, the focus is not so much on who is Baptizing. On occassion I've heard of Deacons, or Elders, or even rarer fathers Baptizing their converted children. The chief emphasis of our point here is: under what context is the Baptism being administered? As long as Baptism is performed in conjunction with the local church, the Lord's purposes for this practice are being kept.
What is an ordinance?
Baptism will sometimes be referred to as an "ordinance". Why? The word "ordinance" comes from the Latin term ordinis that refers to a statement of order, law or decree from an authority. An ordinance entails three characteristics: First, the practice must have been taught by Christ in the Gospels, practiced or preached in the Book of Acts and practiced or preached in the New Testament Letters. The second trait of an ordinance is that it pictures the Gospel. In the New Testament there are two such practices that fit this definition: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Then finally, an ordinance, being a decree, is issued from Christ to His church.
Baptism is an ordinance because it is practiced and preached throughout the New Testament
In the opening of all four Gospels, Jesus is Baptized (immersed) by John the Baptist in the Jordon River. John then spoke of how Jesus would later on baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4,8). Baptism's primary meaning is that of immerse, with its secondary meaning being that of "brought into connection or indentification with someone". Thus John was speaking of the Holy Spirit's ministry of uniting believers with Jesus Christ in the New Covenant reality of the church. (Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
As we come to the Book of Acts, Baptism is practiced and taught throughout the early church. In passages such as Acts 2:41; 16:33; 18:8 and 22:16, we see believers, new converts, being baptized and then received into membership in the local church.
Then in terms of the New Testament Letters (Epistles), we see Paul refer to Baptism in his writings (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4-11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 2:11). Peter too mentions Baptism in 1 Peter 3:18-21. These texts are the main places I take new converts to in explaining the practice and meaning of Baptism.
Baptism is an ordinance because it proclaims the Gospel in picture form
When Christ was setting the foundations for the New Testament Church, he designated the Gospel to be proclaimed verbally through preaching and teaching, and pictured by means of the ordinances of Baptism and Lord's Supper. For example, Baptism pictures the "putting away of the life, and putting on the new life". (Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11-12) Jesus speaks of the New Birth experience in John 3:3-6. Also too, the Apostle Paul shows how Baptism pictures our prior identification with Christ in His Death, Burial and Resurrection, something of which occupies over 30% of the content of the four Gospels. (Romans 6:4-11) The Apostle Peter speaks of Baptism picturing the pledge of a good conscience and the removal of dirt from the conscience. (1 Peter 3:18-21) Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the Blood of Christ at salvation cleanses the conscience.
We must understand that Baptism is "picturing" that supernatural change that occurs at salvation, rather than it being part of the actual salvation experience itself. Baptism does not bring about salvation, rather it is an essential picture of that inward reality. Baptism is an ordinance, a sign, signifiying externally a prior invisible reality that occurs by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is an ordinance because Christ gave it to His church
In all of the passages cited above, not one of them occur apart from connection with or practice of Baptism in the local church. Christ issued forth, "ordained" baptism to be administered through the agency of the local church. The Apostles and later leaders in the church administered the rite. Even though Baptism is commonly administered by ordained Pastors, the focus is not so much on who is Baptizing. On occassion I've heard of Deacons, or Elders, or even rarer fathers Baptizing their converted children. The chief emphasis of our point here is: under what context is the Baptism being administered? As long as Baptism is performed in conjunction with the local church, the Lord's purposes for this practice are being kept.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The meaning and mode of baptism
Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."
In yesterday's blog we explored the meaning of Baptism as taught in the New Testament. We noted that three terms can be used to summarize its meaning: participation, obedience and identification. If we were to consdense what was written yesterday, it would be this: Although baptism is not essential for conversion to faith in Christ, yet it is essential to obedience to Christfollowing one's conversion". With that said, today we want to explore the "mode" of baptism.
The original meaning of the word "baptism" or "baptize"
In over 100 New Testament passages we find reference to baptism. The Greek words associated with this word comes from the Greek word “baptizo”, from whence derives our English word “baptism”. In all standard Greek Dictionaries (The New Testament of course was originally written in Greek), without exception, "baptizo" has the primary meaning of “to dip, to immerse”. When one digs back into ancient Greek sources, we discover this word was used to describe the sinking of ships in naval battles or the dipping of various foods in honey. Clearly the meaning of the word alone tells us that the mode of baptism is dipping, immersion or submersion.
A secondary, but still important meaning of this word is that of "identification" or "to be brought into connection or union with someone". For instance, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-3 we read of the people of Israel being "baptized into Moses, in the cloud and in the sea". Now we know that the people cross the Red Sea on dry ground, and that the "cloud" was the pillar of cloud that led them - being God Himself. Many of those who oppose believer's baptism by immersion will cite this text, however the secondary meaning of "brought into connection or union" aids us in making sense of the meaning here. As always, context is the chief aid in determining the dictionary meaning of the word.
What we would advocate is that in all instances where the practice of New Testament water Baptism occurs, the primary mode of "immersion" fits the context of those passages.
A secondary, but still important meaning of this word is that of "identification" or "to be brought into connection or union with someone". For instance, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-3 we read of the people of Israel being "baptized into Moses, in the cloud and in the sea". Now we know that the people cross the Red Sea on dry ground, and that the "cloud" was the pillar of cloud that led them - being God Himself. Many of those who oppose believer's baptism by immersion will cite this text, however the secondary meaning of "brought into connection or union" aids us in making sense of the meaning here. As always, context is the chief aid in determining the dictionary meaning of the word.
What we would advocate is that in all instances where the practice of New Testament water Baptism occurs, the primary mode of "immersion" fits the context of those passages.
Why do our English Bibles have the word "baptize" rather than "Immerse"
When the first English translations began to appear in the 14 century, men such as John Wycliff and William Tyndale led the way in translating the first English Bibles. When the church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic church in the late 16 century, it retained much of the Catholic church's viewpoints - among which was the teaching of infant baptism and the mode of sprinkling. When the English translations were produced in the 16th century, the translators who knew the original languages were aware that if they translated the term "baptizo" as "immerse", it would get them into trouble with the King and the powers that be in the Church of England.
Thus they "transliterated" the term, meaning they took the Greek letters of "baptizo" and transferred them over into English as "baptize". All English Bibles to this day follow this method. In attempting to be "safe", the refusal to translate the word has created in no small measure an uncertainty as to baptism's mode. For this blogger, if the word were translated, rather than "transliterated", the confusion over the meaning of baptism might very well lessen, since the mode and meaning are so inter-linked.
The picture communicated by Baptism
With the mode established, the biblical picture which Baptism conveys show the close connection between the mode and the meaning. Romans 6:1-4 states: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Notice how Paul uses the concepts of “burial” and “raised”. Clearly this picture cannot be accomplished through sprinkling nor pouring, but through only one mode – immersion.
In all four gospel accounts of Jesus' baptism we see record of him coming straight up out of the water and the Holy Spirit coming down upon Him. In John 3:23 we see this statement – “John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized”. Clearly the only proper way these people could be baptized is if there is a place where much water is available. There is no doubt on the mode of baptism – dipping, immersion or submersion under water.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)