Persevering faith in Daniel & 1 John

Daniel 3:18 "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

1 John 3:1 "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."

Persevering faith in Daniel 3-4
In today's post we turn again to the Book of Daniel to discover more important truths about persevering faith. Daniel was just a young man of 15 years of age when he and his friends were taken into exile in Babylon. As he by God's favor began to gain respect and favor in the eyes of Nebuchadnezzar's court, God began giving dreams to the King and giving Daniel the ability to interpret. The famous account of the fiery furnace focuses on Daniel's three friends, and their refusal to give into compromise. They persevered under pressure. The question is: what marks persevering faith? 

1. We note first of all that persevering faith rejects unbelief. (Daniel 3) Rejecting unbelief entails knowing who I am, Whose I am and the Great I am. 

2. A second trait of persevering faith is the fact that such faith rests in God's Sovereignty. (Daniel 4) Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God for His persistent refusal to acknowledge God in His Sovereignty. Daniel rested in such truth, as well as Daniel's three friends. However despite Nebuchadnezzar's decree that contained words about God's power, the king's idolatrous heart was still was present.  It is one thing to endorse God in the front of men and yet only true, persevering faith will in the heart gladly rest in the Sovereignty of God affirmed by the lips.  Only when we rest in God's Sovereignty will we then have a faith that perseveres. 

1 John 3 and the marks of true, genuine, persevering faith

1 John 3 also deals with the subject of one's faith. The whole book of 1 John is concerned with establishing the assurances of salvation that are afforded to the Christian. So the question is: how can we know that we are truly born-again, converted people in Jesus? 

True Christians will first of all hope in Christ's coming (1 John 3:1-3); hate sin (3:4-10); love the saints (3:11-17) and heed the scriptures (3:18-24). Does that mean that all Christians will do this equally or in the same fervor? No. At bare minimum these traits should be marked by increasing frequency and intensity over the course of the Christian's life. 

1 John 3 reminds us of the truth we find in 2 Corinthians 13:5 "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?" May you and I today persevere and lean upon Jesus Christ and His finished work - in faith and by His word.

The themes of assurance & security in Daniel and 1 John

Daniel 1:8-9 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials

The theme of assurance and security in the book of Daniel
As you begin to read the Book of Daniel, you read a book that is partly historical, partly prophetic and also devotional. Like a three braided rope are these three themes weaving their way through Daniel book. In Daniel 1:1-2:18 we see Daniel as a 15 year-old lad, along with his friends, taken away into Exile in Babylon, some 800 miles from their Jewish homeland. 

We could say that is these verses, we see the devotional theme of Daniel persevering in the faith in how he and his friends: reject the world (1:1-21) and rely upon the word of God (2:1-20). Intermingled in this devotional theme is the prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar. God gives Daniel wisdom as he and his friends seek God in prayer over the dream's interpretation. We see in Daniel 2:19-23 the following comforts of God's Sovereignty: God reigns (2:19-21); God reveals (2:22) and God relates (2:23). 

As Daniel then stands before the King to give the interpretation of the grand colossus or statue of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

 We discover the prophetic history and destiny of history from Daniel's day to the end: the enormous Kingdom of Babylon is the head of gold(2:36-38); empire kingdoms of Persia, Greece and Rome, represented by the colossus' chest, belly and legs (2:39-40); an evil kingdom, the kingdom of the future anti-Christ, represented by the feet and toes (2:41-43) with a stone smashing the statue as representing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ conquering at His return in Daniel 2:44-45. 

Nebuchadnezzar's statue or colossus represents the system of unbelief and Satanically inspired, man-made rebellion called "the world".  Daniel's faith perseveres because he finds assurance in God's Sovereignty and retains the understanding of who he is in the Lord despite being in a foreign land. 

The theme of assurance and security in 1 John
Such assurance is not only found in Daniel, but is also focused upon in the book of 1 John. The book of 1 John is written to give assurance of salvation to those who have believed on Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (1 John 5:13) In 1 John 1, we see that God is the fountain of assurance (1:1-4); closeness to God clarifies assurance (1:5-7) and confession of sin restored assurance (1:8-10). What must be kept in view is that in the doctrine of perseverance, eternal security is based upon what Christ has done, whereas assurance is the believer's experience and internal awareness of their eternal security in Jesus. 

A Christian can never finally fall away from salvation, however their assurance can vary, depending on the trials, or level of fellowship they have with God. The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 notes: "All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." 1

To illustrate, my wife and I for instance are married till death do us part and our relationship is a lifetime commitment. However if she and I have a disagreement, I may feel or she may feel a lack of peace and experience a lack of close fellowship for a short time. However that does not mean the marriage relationship is over, only that the marriage fellowship is being affected, and that we want to get the fellowship back. Thus it is with John's point in 1 John. 

When we come to 1 John 2, we are reminded of the confidence believers have before God through their Advocate, their King - the Lord Jesus Christ. In the latter part of that chapter, Christians are told not to love the world which is composed of the lust of the eyes, the flesh and pride of life. Just like Daniel interpreted, this world system will be "smashed" and is passing away due to the soon coming of Jesus Christ, the "Rock" of salvation Whose Kingdom has no end. It is incumbent upon us as Christians to tell others of Him and that they by grace through faith can escape the wrath of God that is coming on this world. 

Conclusion

Make fellowship with God and His Son the priority, while leaning on the salvation of relationship He has secured eternally for you in His choice of you and in the giving of His Son. (John 15:16; 1 John 4:19) Like "Daniels" in a foreign land, Christians living in this 21st century world need to find their security of identity in God's Sovereignty operating in their lives and in His word.

Endnotes:

1. http://www.sbc.org/bfm/bfm2000.asp#iv  Please note the above quote under Article # V: God's Purpose of Grace, second paragraph. 

The How & Why you should study the scripture

Revelation 10:1 "I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire."

Introduction:
In Revelation 4-11 we see a visionary sequence that is concerned with answering the main question: "How will Jesus conquer the world?" The scene begins in heaven with scenes depicting the Father and the Spirit (Revelation 4) and the Father and the Lamb (Revelation 5). The Lamb takes from the Father's right hand the title deed to planet earth and demonstrates that He is worthy to break open its seals that will unleash the sequence of seal judgments (Revelation 6-7) and trumpet judgments (Revelation 8-11) that will run their course through the future tribulation period. In looking at this entire set of chapters, we can note three ways in which Jesus will conquer the world: the tribulation period (6-7), power of prayer (8:1-5) and the power of the Word (8:6-11:19). In today's post we want to focus particular on the Word of God, being that it will be through its fulfillment that Jesus will come back and conquer all the kingdoms of this world. (Revelation 11:15-19)1 

As I thought on this truth of Jesus' use of the power of the Word in the fulfillment of His second coming, the thought came that we as God's people ought to be as much in the Word as possible. We ought to know the Word by knowing how to use it and why, being that Jesus Christ will be using His word to bring about His conquering victory over the world at His return. In this post today we will focus our attention on two main thoughts as we work our way through Revelation 10-11:

1. How do you study the Bible? 
2. Why study the Bible? 

How do you study the Bible?
Whenever you approach a text like Revelation 10-11, it is important to have a few Bible study tools at hand so as to extract the right meaning and application to your life.  The following tools are useful in any part of the Bible you may find yourself reading and studying.

1. Cross Referencing
Perhaps out of all the Bible study tools, none is more important nor effective than cross referencing.  The older name for this practice is what Bible teachers call "the analogy of faith" or "comparing scripture with scripture".  Cross referencing can oftentimes unlock the mysteries of faith and the scripture.  Whenever  we come to Revelation 10, the immediate issue at hand concerns the identity of the "strong angel" in Revelation 10 and "the two witnesses" in Revelation 11. 

In Revelation 10:1 we read: "I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire".  In most reference Bibles you will see small cross references either printed in the margin or in the center column. In the one reference Bible I'm using, the following scriptures are given that correspond to Revelation 10:1 - Revelation 5:2; 18:1 & 20:1. In those passages we see reference to some sort of mighty strong angel that has a strong voice (5:2); illuminates the earth (18:1) and having the ability to bind satan himself with a chain, casting him into the Abyss for 1,000 years (20:1). Noting these references aids greatly in identifying the "great angel" in Revelation 10.  Some commentators have identified the "angel" of Revelation 10 as perhaps a reference to Jesus Himself.  However when you consider how Revelation 10:1 is explained by the other references in Revelation, the meaning of the passage is made plain and clear.

The second mystery to solve has to do with the identity of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3. Though we are not told their names, their actions appear to tip the reader off to their possible identity.  In Revelation 11:5 we see both of them having the ability to call down fire from heaven. Only two men in the entire Bible were associated with such activity: Moses (Numbers 16:35) and Elijah (2 Kings 1:10-12). We also see in Revelation 11:6 reference to further activities associated with both these men: the power to prevent rain, associated with Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) and turning water into blood being connected to Moses (Exodus 7:14-25). Thirdly we know that Jesus in his first coming actually met with both of these men on the top of the Mount of Transfiguration.  Matthew 17:3 records - "And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him." Fourthly we know that both witnesses will be given the ability to prophesy in Revelation 11:3.  Moses and Elijah of course were prophets.  Such observations can only come as one compares scripture with scripture in cross referencing. Such activity enables the Christian to cultivate the ability to hear God's voice speaking in the scripture.  

2. Repeated Ideas/words
In this Bible study tool we are interested in noting the one or several main words/ideas running through the passage.  In combining what we've observed in our cross references, we can being to interpret the scripture.  Several details could be pointed out in these chapters, but the one main idea that threads its way through these verses is the subject of God's word.  Clearly John is concerned in showing how Jesus is going to conquer the world through His fulfillment of scripture. Note the following verses that either mention or feature the word of God: Revelation 10:2,4,8,9,10; 11:3,7. Whenever you see the Word of God repeated that many times, you are able to see the main point of the passage: Jesus is going to use the power of the Word of God in His overall program to conquer the kingdoms of this world.  Further cross-referencing reveals that Revelation 10:9-10 matches with passages such as Ezekiel 3:3 and Jeremiah 15:16, both of which depict prophets "eating" or "taking in" the scripture.  If anything, we need to be taking in the scripture and understanding it.  Revelation 1:3 reminds the reader: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near."

3. Six Questions

We can utilize this third tool that causes the reader to interact with the Bible like a real person.  The six questions are: who? what? why? where? when? & how?

-Who is the strong angel? An angelic emissary delegated by God to execute his judgments prior to Jesus' second coming.

-What are the angel and the witnesses doing in these chapters? They both are testifying to a watching world of the Sovereignty of the Father and preparing the way for the second coming of the Son.

-Why are these chapters important in John's overall argument in Revelation? To remind the reader that it is Jesus Christ, not the Anti-Christ nor the world-system that will determine the course of history. It is God's Word, not man's opinion that will have the final say in all matters of time and eternity. 

-Where is the action taking place? On earth
-When is the timing of all these events?
During the latter half of the seven year tribulation period.  We know this by virtue of the length of time given for the two witness (presumably Moses and Elijah) to do their ministry (1260 days = 3 1/2 years).  Such a time period corresponds to the 3 1/2 years of Daniel 9:26b-27 and Jesus' reference to the latter half being called "The Great Tribulation" in Matthew 24:21.

-How will it all end? 
Revelation 11:15 states - “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of HisChrist; and He will reign forever and ever.”

So knowing how to study the Bible gets you into the very tool Jesus will use and fulfill when He comes back to conquer this world.  Knowing His will and plan will enable you as a Christian to get involved in what he is doing and wanting to do.  However there is one more question to answer in this post today: Why study the Bible? 

Why Study the Bible?
We could certainly answer this question by gleaning from the above observation and Bible study tools.  However I want us to understand what Revelation 10-11 have to reveal to us about the nature of the Word of God itself.  The nature of something determines what value and effort we put into it.  What kind of book is the Bible and why should you study it? Let me give you six brief words and definitions about the Bible from Revelation 10:11, the Bible is....

1. Inspired = God's very words. Revelation 10:2-3

2. Inerrant = J.I Packer notes "what scripture says, God says - through human agents and without error."

3. Infallible = Incapable of failure. Revelation 10:7

4. Sufficient = Enough to comfort or convict to spiritual change. Revelation 10:9-10

5. Authority = to transmit the purpose and power of God among His people, in the world and over the conscience. 11:3

6. All about Jesus = The scriptures point to Jesus. 

Those six terms give you six reasons as to why you should study God's Word, as well as utilize the above Bible study tools in knowing how to study God's Word.  

Conclusion:
As we close out today's post, I want to end with this insight from noted theologian J.I. Packer concerning the importance of God's Word and everything we have looked at today: "Only truth can be authoritative; only an inerrant Bible can be used in the way that God means scripture to be used. Its text is word for word God-given; its message is an organic unity. The infallible word of an infallible God, a web of revealed truths centered on Jesus Christ."2

Endnotes:
1. Let the reader note that in the book of Revelation we often see John presenting the same general time period or sequence of events in a repetitive fashion.  This feature of Revelation is what scholars call "recapitualation", meaning that the same material is repeated again and again but in ever increasing detail and intensity. Revelation 4-11 covers the final half if not the entire seven year tribulation period.  The next visionary sequence, Revelation 12-14, covers the same time period except the emphasis shifts from history to the rising and defeat of Anti-Christ.  Revelation 15:1-19:10 covers the same time  period yet once more, with the focus switching to the religious, economic and political infrastructure of prophetic Babylon that will fall at the end of the tribulation period at Christ's return. In all we see the tribulation period surveyed three times in three layered cycles from Revelation 6:1-19:10. 

2. James Montgomery Boice and J.I. Packer. Does Inerrancy Matter. International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. 1977. Page 19.

The Paradox of Evidence and Faith - Evaluating the History Channel's: "Bible Secrets Revealed"

John 10:38 "but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father."

Luke 16:30-31 "But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Introduction: Why the History Channel's current series - "Bible Secrets Revealed" will end in failure, and the only fitting response

As I have now watched two episodes of the History Channel's "Bible Secrets Revealed", I got to thinking on Jesus' statements in the above two verses.  The series aims to expose and explore the so-called hidden secrets of the Bible and behind the Bible.  In the past two episodes thus far, an entire slate of critics from the fields of religion, Biblical studies and even different faiths outside of Christianity (Dr. Reza Aslan is a Muslim) are used to evaluate the truth claims of the Bible.  The overall thrust of the series is that if only there was more evidence, or if the Biblical text was more clear, then maybe there would not be such widespread confusion and unbelief about the Bible. It is evident that the panel of scholars in the series and the show's producers have hostilities towards the truth claims of scripture and its ability to be clear. But even more so is the mistaken notion that with enough evidence, with enough miracles and with clear enough data, Christian faith can then be achieved and embraced. But is that true? Why is the History Channel's current series flawed and why will its objectives fail? What is the only fitting response? I will hold off on the fitting response part until the end of this post.  For now we will explore the inherent flaw I see in the History Channel's current series. It lies in what I am calling in this post today: the paradox of Evidence and Faith. 

On the one hand evidence is included by God in drawing conclusive proof about the claims of Biblical faith

Biblical faith can be understood under three headings: propositions, proof and persuasion.  When we say propositions, we speak of the doctrinal statements and truth of scripture. Propositions such as "Jesus is God" or "The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God" or "God created the heavens and the earth" are propositions, truth statements that are drawn directly from scripture.  As Dr. Francis Shaeffer said years ago, God is a talking God who speaks to us through words. The older theologians spoke of this element of Biblical faith by the Latin term notitia, meaning the contents of faith.   

The second leg of Biblical faith has to do with the proof of the propositions brought to the mind.  Proof, in the form of general revelation in nature (such as scientific information) and reason are included in the communication of the propositions or contents of faith.  In this second leg of Biblical faith, recognition is made that such proofs are given by God to man to grant to man knowledge about Himself. Theologians of old used the Latin term ascensus (assensoos) to speak of the mind making its "ascent" or agreement to the propositions (notitia) of the Christian faith.  By evidence drawn from such sources as science, reason or miracles - proofs of God's existence, general identity and Goodness are presented.  

Thus the man born blind who was healed by Jesus makes the following appeal to the Jewish officials who were skeptical of Jesus in John 9:33 - "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." The Apostle Peter preached these words in Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know." Paul writes concerning God's use of proof or evidence from general revelation to man in Romans 1:18-20 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."  When Jesus makes His statement in John 10:38 that the miracles He performs give  ample enough testimony about His identity and mission, He is speaking about the propositions (He being Messiah, God in Human flesh) and proof. 

God utilizes the propositions of Christian faith from the special revelation of His word (the Bible) and gives proofs from the general revelation of nature and providential use of the miraculous (such as He did in Jesus' ministry) as part and parcel of the overall presentation of Biblical faith. Faith and reason are not foes, but friends. Yet reason by itself is insufficient to bring a person to a true, saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Propositions and agreement with the proofs of Christianity alone does not make one a believer. As James reminds us in James 2:19 "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." 

The paradox of evidence and faith is that as much as the evidence of propositions and proof make for a conclusive case for the Christian faith, nevertheless unbelieving man will still conclude that the case is not compelling. It is one thing to say "I conclude with what you say is true".  Yet it is quite another matter to say: "I not only conclude with what you say, I am compelled to trust and embrace your conclusions.  

Unless the Holy Spirit persuades and brings the grace that includes faith and repentance to the unbelieving heart, mankind will willfully and knowingly suppress the propositions and proof of Christianity.  What is needed? Persuasion. Which brings us to the second point about the paradox of evidence and faith....

On the other hand, only the Holy Spirit can persuade the unbelieving heart that the propositions and proofs of the Christian faith are not merely conclusive, but also compelling enough to believe.

In Luke 16 we see the account of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man dies and goes to hell, while Lazarus, the believer in the account, dies and goes to heaven (called Abraham's bosom by Jesus). As the rich man gets in a post-mortem discussion and really and argument with Abraham, he makes this statement in Luke 16:28-30 "for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’30 But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!" The rich man makes the argument that if only there was enough evidence, surely then his brothers could avoid the same destiny as he.  We don't see any words of repentance or regret in the rich man's statements. We see no humility or acknowledgement by the rich man that God's words were right and he was wrong.  His heart is in a runaway rebellion against God, with the proverbial fist shaking itself in God's face. 

What is father Abraham's response to the rich man in Luke 16:31 "But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” The issue is not over proof or proposition, but persuasion.  In Biblical faith, whether we are talking about that initial work of the Spirit of God in salvation (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 23) or in His ongoing work of keeping the child of God in sanctification (Ephesians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:1), the means of persuasion is the Spirit working in and through the Word.  

Older theologians used to call this third element of Biblical faith by the Latin term "vives fide" (vi-veis fi-day or "living faith"). Romans 10:17 states - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." It is the gifting of faith from God that shows the Christian propositions and proofs to not only be conclusive, but compelling.  Once the Spirit has done His work in my heart, I freely, willingly and knowingly embrace Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure. (John 16:8-11)  The Apostle Paul states in Galatians 3:24-26 "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

God uses propositions and proof and persuasion to bring a man, woman or child to the point of trust and dependance upon He and His word. Faith by its very definition means "firm persuasion". Any embrace of Jesus and the Christian faith is to be credited to God's work of grace in the human heart. case in point in Lydia in Acts 16:14 "A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."  

Now what happens if a person fails to embrace the Gospel and the propositions and proofs of scripture, is that God's fault or that person's? It is that person's fault because as Romans 1:21-22 "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures."

Conclusion:

So why is the History Channel's current series flawed and why will its objectives fail?  As we have seen through Jesus statements and other scriptures, there is a paradoxical relationship between evidence and faith:

1. On the one hand evidence is included by God in drawing conclusive proof about the claims of Biblical faith

2. On the other hand, only the Holy Spirit can persuade the unbelieving heart that the propositions and proofs of the Christian faith are not merely conclusive, but also compelling enough to believe.

When man fails to embrace what is conclusive concerning the propositions of Christianity (the notitia, doctrines or contents of the faith) and proofs (ascensus or elements to which the mind ascents and agrees with the propositions), the fault lies in man. Why? Because unbelieving man by nature freely and willingly suppresses the truth. So then who is to credit when a person is persuaded that what is conclusive about the propositions and proofs is actually compelling enough to trust? God through the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is the Agent who convicts, convinces and sheds light into an otherwise darkened human heart about the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6) Such a work of the Spirit is called the work of saving faith (vives fide). 

So now what is to be the fitting response? What would be the fitting word to those skeptics who persist in their denials of God's Word and cry for more evidence? Let me close with the words of Acts 16:31 - "They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1 Peter 3:21-22 - What baptism is & isn't, doesn't do and means

1 Peter 3:21 "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."

Introduction:

In yesterday's post we considered how 1 Peter 3:18-20 explains Christ's victorious work in terms of its purpose and proclamation.  The purpose of Christ's victorious work was reconciliation (3:18) and its proclamation centers around Christ's victory over sin, hell and death (3:19-20). In today's post we will consider the ordinance of believer's baptism as explained in 1 Peter 3:21 and consider what baptism is & isn't, doesn't do & means.  

Note: If the reader is interested in delving deeper into the text of 1 Peter 3:18-22, please checkout: http://biblicalexegete.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/a-study-of-1-peter-318-22/

What baptism is & isn't
What baptism is
When you follow Peter's entire argument in 1 Peter 3:18-22, it is apparent that he is all about explaining to his readers Christ's victorious work.  The question is: how do you picture Christ's death, burial and resurrection? Baptism is a picture. A picture of what? The application and proclamation of Jesus' victorious work in the life of the believer through prior grace-given faith and repentance. 

In baptism the victory of Christ's accomplished work is being proclaimed just as Christ in the time between His death and resurrection made "public" proclamation to the demonic realm of His victory over sin and evil and what was soon to be victory over death and the grave. Christ's preaching in 1 Peter 3:18-19 occurred during his descent into the regions where the fallen angels who rebelled in the days of Noah were kept. In mentioning Noah's ark and flood as the background for that rebellion, Peter uses Noah and his family's protection in the ark as an illustration of salvation from Divine wrath. The ark of safety and work of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection both functioned to save those who believed upon God's salvation. 

In 1 Peter 3:21 we see baptism described as a picture in the following English versions:
1. (KJV) "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us..."

2. (ESV) "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you..."

3. (NKJV) "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism..."

4. (NLT) "And that water is a picture of baptism...."

5. (NIV) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also...."


6. (NASB) "Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you...."

The word used to describe what baptism is in all the above English translations is found only one other place in the New Testament - Hebrews 9:24 "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." The word in Hebrews 9:24 is used to show how the Old Testament tabernacle here on earth was a picture, symbol or copy of the true tabernacle in heaven. 

What Baptism isn't 
If Baptism is meant to be a picture, symbol, sign or pattern, then it cannot by itself be anything beyond what it signifies.  Baptism is the sign of the New Covenant salvation administered to those who have experienced New Covenant salvation by the New Birth (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 27; John 3:1-8; Acts 2:28; Colossians 2:12; Hebrews 8).  To make the act of water baptism more than a picture or symbol is to take it beyond the intended meaning of the New Testament. Certainly the Lord affirms and assures the believer by the scriptures and His indwelling of them as they follow the Lord in obedience. (John 14:21) The one who follows through in obedience to believer's baptism is able to have an open heaven much like Jesus had when He modeled baptism in the Gospels.  However the waters of baptism and the baptism itself confer no salvation, but signifies to all that salvation by grace through faith has already occurred. 

What baptism does is re-enact the prior miracle of regeneration and saving faith that takes place when by grace through faith a sinner trusts in Christ and is saved from the wrath of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) That miracle of the new birth is sometimes described in scripture as the Holy Spirit uniting the believer or baptizing them into Christ at salvation. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:27; Titus 3:5) The confusion among God's people over this issue arises from failing to recognize such distinctions: resulting in teachings such as baptismal regeneration or some other types of variations. 

Different denominations and groups try to make baptism something that it is not:

1. It is not a saving sacrament that makes a person right in God's sight - i.e justification

2. It has no power to wash away original sin 

3. It is not a power source for regenerating the human heart. 

4. It is not to be associated with being the means through which God raises a spiritually dead sinner to be a new creation in Jesus Christ

Now how do we know baptism is not the source of justification, cleansing away of original sin, power source for regenerating the heart nor making a dead sinner a new creation? Because of what Peter writes next in 1 Peter 3:21 "....not the removal of dirt from the flesh.....".  Why would Peter go to the trouble to define what baptism is not? To insure that everyone reading would be clear on what baptism is - a symbol, pattern, picture, anti-type, pattern and sign of what it signifies: Christ's death, burial and resurrection.

What baptism doesn't do
Therefore if baptism is to be regarded as a symbol, then that means it cannot save a sinner.  Again consider what Peter says: ...."not the removal of dirt from the flesh...." Baptism is essential for testifying about salvation, however it cannot do anything other than what God has ordained it to be: a picture of an invisible work of the Spirit in the believer's heart and the Christian's public profession of faith. How do we know that? Consider what Peter says next: "not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God." 

What baptism means
Baptism provides a public forum for a Christian to make their faith public and to pledge to the Lord that they will live in obedience to what he tells them to do.  How do we know that? Consider yet again Peter's words in 1 Peter 3:21: "but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (NASB). Other versions, such as the KJV, read "the answer of a good conscience toward God". Either rendering is a good translation and describes what only can be done by a true believer: namely the desire to have a good conscience or to interact with God from a good conscience. 

Only Christians coming into baptism have a conscience that has been sprinkled clean, not by the waters of baptism, but by the blood of Jesus Christ. How do we know this? Consider Hebrews 9:14 "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  

Furthermore Peter ends 1 Peter 3:21-22 with these words: "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him".  What Peter is reminding his readers of here is that the new birth because of what Christ accomplished in his resurrection and is received as a gift from God by faith. (1 Peter 1:3, 23) Baptism by immersion is the New Christian convert's opportunity to pledge to God a life that will conform to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, His word and the local church body of which he is joining.  This last point is gleaned from what follows in 1 Peter 4-5 regarding matters pertaining to Christians functioning together in the local church. 

Conclusion:
In today's post we have attempt to Biblical answer from 1 Peter 3:21-22 what baptism is, isn't, doesn't do and means.  
1. Baptism is a picture of what Jesus by His Holy Spirit has accomplished by grace through faith in the life of a new convert. 

2. Baptism isn't a sacrament of salvation conferring the cleansing away of original sin, or justification, or regeneration. Peter's negative statement of it not having the ability to wash away dirt and filth helps us see what it is not.

3. Baptism doesn't save, but rather re-enacts for seeing eyes the previous miracle of salvation in a person's life.  Baptism has no power or effectual working in and of itself.  Scripture alone is the sole means the Holy Spirit uses to raise dead sinners to saving faith and repentance in Jesus Christ.

4. Baptism's meaning then is: public profession of faith, the new convert's first major step of Christian obedience following their prior salvation and the believer's entryway into the membership of the local church. 

1 Peter 3:18-20 Jesus Christ's Victorious Work

1 Peter 3:18-20  For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

Introduction:

In today's post I want us to consider what Jesus accomplished in His death, burial and resurrection. The four Gospels detail the event of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, however the remainder of the New Testament (Acts, 21 Epistles and Revelation) unfolds the meaning and implications of what He accomplished.  The Apostle Peter in his first epistle aims to show how we as Christians ought to stand firm in God's grace. (1 Peter 5:12) Peter's letter ties in our ability to stand in such grace to what Jesus Christ accomplished.  Our ability to accomplish is directly related to Christ's accomplishment, meaning that the more we understand what He did, the better we can grasp what we are able to do. Thus we will consider the following two main thoughts about Christ's accomplished work:

1. The Purpose of Christ's Accomplished Work - reconciliation.  1 Peter 3:18

2. The Proclamation of Christ's Accomplished Work - Victory.  1 Peter 3:19-20

1. Purpose of Christ’s Victorious Work – Reconciliation 3:18 

a. What did He do? He died 

 He died for sins.  As Dr. Danny Akin of South Western Baptist Theological Seminary once noted: "He lived the life I couldn't live and He died the death I should have died."

b. Whom did He die for? The unjust 

Romans 5:6-8 states - "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus' death on behalf of sinners accomplished two necessary effects in order for reconciliation to be possible. The first being expiation or the removal of the cause of God's wrath upon us - our sin. (Romans 5:10) The second and virtually synonymous work is propitiation - that is, the satisfaction of God's wrath. (1 John 2:2) Below in the next thought (point "c"), we see why expiation (taking away of sin) and propitiation (satisfying wrath) are necessary for reconciliation.

c. Why did he die? To bring us to God (reconciliation) 

Dr. Michael Horton notes: "The result of God's wrath being satisfied is reconciliation. Just as we are first of all passive subjects of God's wrath when God propitiates, we are passive subjects of God's reconciliation at the cross.  We do not reconcile ourselves to God; God reconciles Himself to us and us to Him."1

d. How did He do it? Death and resurrection

Christ's death, burial and resurrection are at the heart of the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The New Testament mostly focuses upon Christ's death and resurrection, however what went on during the three days He was buried is not explained in near as much detail as the two book-ends of the Gospel: namely Christ's death and resurrection.  Death and Resurrection serve to explain how Christ accomplished what he accomplished, and what He did in His burial (down below) reveals some of the behind (and under) the scenes work He did in insuring our ability to walk as believers in His Victorious work. 

2. Proclamation of Christ’s Victorious Work – Victory 3:19-20 

 a. What did he do between His death &    resurrection? Proclaimed victory 3:19 

John MacArthur has perhaps explained this text better than just about everyone I've read or heard: "He was announcing, proclaiming (and) heralding a triumph. About what? It must be pretty obvious, about His triumph over sin, about His triumph over death, about His triumph over hell, about His triumph over
demons, about His triumph over Satan." 2

b. Whom did he proclaim His victory? The  demons reserved for judgment. 3:19-20 

If we were to attempt to offer a faint outline of what Jesus did between His death and resurrection, we could maybe understand why He went to proclaim His victory to the demonic realm.  First He went immediately into the presence of His Father by way of the Holy Spirit in his human spirit to present His once and for all sacrifice. (Hebrew 9:15) 

Next He went down into those regions of hell where some of the demons (especially those who rebelled in Noah's day) are being reserved for judgment. 

Thirdly Christ's proclamation of victory insures that hell will not prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18) as well as fulfilling the fact of His triumph over the demonic realm (Colossians 2:14-15). 

Fourthly, Christ's resurrection from the dead meant He had completed His mission of proclamation and thus He arose as a victorious King, subduing all cosmic powers under Himself. (Acts 2:24; 1 Peter 3:22)

c. Why did he proclaim His victory? To  guarantee Christian victory 3:19-20 

He did this to pave the way for what would be His ascension into Heaven 40 days after His resurrection from the dead. (Ephesians 4:7-10) 

d. What was His victory over? Sin (1 Pet 3:18), hell 1 Pet 3:19-20; Col 2:11-12) grave (3:18,21b)

Revelation 1:4-5 states - "John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him wholoves us and released us from our sins by His blood"

Endnotes:

1. Michael Horton. The Christian Faith - A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Zondervan. 2011. Page 500

2. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/60-37/the-triumph-of-christs-suffering-part-2

How prayer and Bible prophecy go hand-in-hand

Luke 18:1&8 (1) Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart. (8) “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

In today's post we want to look at how Jesus and the Apostle Paul link together prayer and Bible prophecy. 

Jesus desires to find His people praying at His return
In Luke 18 Jesus presents a parable on prevailing prayer.  He tells the story of a poor and oppressed woman who had appealed to an unjust judge for a resolution of a situation.  Everyday she went to him, making an appeal for him to take care of the problem that was vexing her life.  Jesus tells us that this Judge cared neither for her nor her plight, however he chose to intervene in order to get her out of his hair - so to speak.  Jesus' point was that if an unjust Judge would answer the pleas of a woman He doesn't know, how much more will not the Father - who is just and fair, hear the pleas of His people whom he loves.  Jesus then closes the section with the statement of His desire to find such prevailing prayer among His people at His return.

Why we must see the connection between prophecy and prayer
Jesus here is making an important connection for us between prayer and His second coming.  When we explore the scriptures, we discover the premium scripture places upon both.  For instance, 1/5 of the over 31,000 verses of the Bible deal with prophecy or Divine statements about the future.  Of those more than 800 prophecies, 1/3 of those focus upon the most important theme in prophecy - Christ's return. 

On the prayer side of things we find over 600 recorded prayers in the Word of God.  Prayer is such a huge theme in the Bible.  In Genesis 4:26 we see prayer first mentioned, with Revelation 21:20 being the last prayer of the Bible.  In that final prayer of the Bible, we find the combinations of prophecy and prayer in these words: "He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Jesus teaches that prayer needs hope, and prophecy supplies it
Prayer by its very nature is wrestling to know God, hear God and invite God to be front and center in our thoughts and situations.  If anything, prayer needs hope - for often we find ourselves praying for people or situations where hope is in short supply.  It seems that scripture intentionally connects prayer and prophecy together to infuse our prayer lives with the Hope - Christ.  With prayer being possible because of Christ's first coming, and prophecy focusing us upon His second coming, it is clear why both need to be together. 

Having seen Jesus' teaching us how prophecy supplies the hope that prayer needs, we now turn to the Apostle Paul and learn a second important truth about the relationship between prophecy and prayer....

Prophecy supplies hope and prayer is strengthened by it
Paul writes in Philippians 3:20 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Hope is present conviction rooted in the certainty of who God is and what He is going to do.  

As you look at the statement made here in Philippians, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul was writing to a church located at a cultural center of the Roman empire.  Much like a "county seat" in an American context - Phillipi was a place where issues such as Roman Citizenship played a huge role.  To be a Roman citizen meant privileges that very few people in the first century had the opportunity to enjoy.  For these people to whom Paul wrote - the fundamental question was: from whence do you derive your hope? The Christian must fight the temptation of placing too much hope in this world, which is why Paul directs their attention, and ours, to the return of Jesus Christ. 

Now in just a few verses we read an incredible statement on the need of prayer.  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understand will guard your hearts and minds in Christ."  Grammar and context connects Philippians 4:6-7 back to Philippians 3:20-21.  In order to "be anxious for nothing" in prayer, I need to keep my heart focused upon the blessed hope of Christ's return.  The hope needed in prayer is supplied by the hope of His return.

Conclusion: The Bible puts prophecy and prayer together
Prophecy's effectiveness can only be seen as we apply its message to our current situation through prayer.  Jesus teaches us that the hope required by prayer is supplied by prophecy, and Paul taught us that the hope supplied by prophecy reinforces the prayer life. When we pray in accordance to Philippians 4:6-7 we are promised "peace that surpasses all understanding" and "guarding of the heart and mind in Christ".  What prophecy does is lift me above the immediate horizon of my circumstances to see Christ who is Lord over my circumstances.  Paul reminds us in Titus 2:13 "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus".  To know that the end of all time is not in the whims of chance, but rather in the will of God, gives great hope concerning personal situations.