Romans 6 is an interesting place to go for an explanation of what baptism really means. Really, the discussion is about sin, a continuation of the discourse on sin and grace from chapter 5. Note the final words of chapter 5: "...just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Then as chapter 6 begins, the discussion continues. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
There is a figurative relationship established by the physical act of baptism. That is, by being baptised in the physical act, we are figuratively joining in the death of Jesus. And just as He was raised from the dead, we are joined with Him in being raised up out of the water. It is an interesting concept that is carefully detailed in this one place of the New Testament.
But the main point of the whole discussion is that since we Christians have given up the old life of living in sin, we have no right to go back to it, counting on the grace of God to save us. We know that God wants to save us through His grace. But the message here is that we shouldn't try to play games with God, keep on sinning, living the life of sin, thinking that He will overlook whatever we do. Galatians 6:7 says, "Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
So the warning is clear that we must not try to play games with God. Some people believe that once a person has been saved, has become a Christian, there is no being lost. But the Bible surely does not teach that. He wants to save us, but we must be diligent, diligently seeking Him, and truly trying to serve Him.
Thanks for reading. I hope you have a great week. Feel the love.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
The Most Powerfull Message of the Bible
The most powerful message of the Bible can be summed up in one word: Resurrection. Jesus came to earth to save those who would follow Him. When we say, "save," we mean beyond the grave. There are many clear passages throughout the New Testament that show the significance of "beyond the grave," but let's look at the words of Jesus as recorded in John 5:24.
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will be not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man."
"Do not be amazed at this, for time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."
This teaching of Jesus shows clearly that there is salvation in Jesus for those who believe...and follow. That is, that there is a resurrection to come for every person, and a judgment by the Lord Himself. Jesus proved that there is a resurrection by overcoming death Himself, showing that if He can come back from the dead, we can also, through His power.
There is no more powerful message than that of the resurrection. Many of the Jews did not want to hear it, and Jews today persist in that opposition. It is important that we see the significance of the resurrection, the eternal life that Jesus offers us.
Have a great week!
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will be not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man."
"Do not be amazed at this, for time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."
This teaching of Jesus shows clearly that there is salvation in Jesus for those who believe...and follow. That is, that there is a resurrection to come for every person, and a judgment by the Lord Himself. Jesus proved that there is a resurrection by overcoming death Himself, showing that if He can come back from the dead, we can also, through His power.
There is no more powerful message than that of the resurrection. Many of the Jews did not want to hear it, and Jews today persist in that opposition. It is important that we see the significance of the resurrection, the eternal life that Jesus offers us.
Have a great week!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Truth
It is always important to tell the truth....in whatever setting we find ourselves. But in dealing with God and His Word, it is especially important. Many people look at God as a God of love; and of course, He is. And they feel that He is a patient and understanding God; and of course, He is. But He is a God that expects us to do things His way. He establishes what is truth, and right, and what He wants by giving us instruction through His Word, the Bible. But the first question to answer is, Does it really matter? To answer this question we simply go to the Bible, and we find out that it matters a lot.
Many places in the New Testament talk about the importance of doing things God's way. It also talks, warns, of those who would not do so. Jesus Himself talked of false teachers, warning His disciples to be on guard. Note these passages:
Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. .....Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
2Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth...." Paul is warning Timothy about false teachers....and false teaching.
1Timothy 2:1 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies...."
Acts 20:29-31 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch...."
2Peter 2 "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed."
With all of this teaching by Jesus, Paul and Peter, it is clear that false teachers and false teaching were, and still are, a real concern. Let us care about the truth....and stick to it.
Thanks for reading again. May God bless you!
Many places in the New Testament talk about the importance of doing things God's way. It also talks, warns, of those who would not do so. Jesus Himself talked of false teachers, warning His disciples to be on guard. Note these passages:
Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. .....Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
2Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth...." Paul is warning Timothy about false teachers....and false teaching.
1Timothy 2:1 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies...."
Acts 20:29-31 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch...."
2Peter 2 "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed."
With all of this teaching by Jesus, Paul and Peter, it is clear that false teachers and false teaching were, and still are, a real concern. Let us care about the truth....and stick to it.
Thanks for reading again. May God bless you!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Adoption
As Christians, we are adopted children of God. This is an interesting relationship in that we aren't the born children of God, but have to be adopted in. Let's look at a few Bible passages that talk about this adoption principle.
Galatians 4:4, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." We aren't actual descendants, aren't blood kin, aren't direct descendants of Abraham. But previous verses say that we are "heirs," heirs according to promise, that is, according to the promise that God made to Abraham in Gen. 12, that all the world would be blessed through his seed, Jesus. This is stressed at the end of Hebrews 11, the faith chapter: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them (OT characters) received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
John 1:12, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
Romans 8:14, "..those who are led by the Spririt of God are sons of God.....The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."
Those of us who have been involved with adoption know that an adopted child is very special. It really can't be fully described, put into words. This is the effect that we see with being adopted into God's family. It truly is a blessing, one that almost goes beyond description. It is powerful, it is special, it is amazing. We are God's children!
Have a great week. Feel the love!
Galatians 4:4, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." We aren't actual descendants, aren't blood kin, aren't direct descendants of Abraham. But previous verses say that we are "heirs," heirs according to promise, that is, according to the promise that God made to Abraham in Gen. 12, that all the world would be blessed through his seed, Jesus. This is stressed at the end of Hebrews 11, the faith chapter: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them (OT characters) received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
John 1:12, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--children not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
Romans 8:14, "..those who are led by the Spririt of God are sons of God.....The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."
Those of us who have been involved with adoption know that an adopted child is very special. It really can't be fully described, put into words. This is the effect that we see with being adopted into God's family. It truly is a blessing, one that almost goes beyond description. It is powerful, it is special, it is amazing. We are God's children!
Have a great week. Feel the love!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Question Regarding Denominations
I recently received a question regarding denominations, wanting scripture that deals with denominations. There has been previous discussion about this subject in this blog, but lets review a few basics.
That there are many Christian denominations is a clear fact; Wikipedia says that there are 41,000 in existence today, though this obviously cannot be an exact count, and some of these are not significant. The question is: Does God approve of this arrangement? Just by our math background, we know that the word means division. And if we research where all of these different groups with different names and beliefs, at least to some extent, came from, we must conclude that these are started with men, men with different ideas of what the church should be. In many cases, the beginnings came with a split off of another group, sometimes due to doctrinal issues, sometimes personal.
We can note that there is no scripture in the Bible that specifically supports denominations. But there is a lot said about the opposite, stating the importance of unity in the Lord's church.....and denouncing division. So here are a few thoughts from the New Testament on the subject:
John 17: Jesus was saying a prayer to the Father just before going to His death. He is speaking of the apostles; "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You." Several times in this one prayer, Jesus prays that in in the future His disciples would be "one." (Unified, not divided, not denominationalized).
Ephesians 4: Paul teaches the Ephesian Christians; "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." It is clear that with God there is "one."
1 Corinthians 1: Paul taught the Corinthian church; "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas', still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided?" He makes clear here that division is unacceptable in the Lord's church.
The first century writers were working to ensure that all churches were following the same gospel, the same pattern. The NT is compiled of these writings to give us a pattern to follow today, that we might all be a part of a unified church following the same Bible guidelines.
With all of this teaching, there is no way to conclude that God wants a splintered church....with 41,000 branches. This practice of denominations is unacceptable and contrary to God's plan and His Word.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week, a great 4th of July week!
That there are many Christian denominations is a clear fact; Wikipedia says that there are 41,000 in existence today, though this obviously cannot be an exact count, and some of these are not significant. The question is: Does God approve of this arrangement? Just by our math background, we know that the word means division. And if we research where all of these different groups with different names and beliefs, at least to some extent, came from, we must conclude that these are started with men, men with different ideas of what the church should be. In many cases, the beginnings came with a split off of another group, sometimes due to doctrinal issues, sometimes personal.
We can note that there is no scripture in the Bible that specifically supports denominations. But there is a lot said about the opposite, stating the importance of unity in the Lord's church.....and denouncing division. So here are a few thoughts from the New Testament on the subject:
John 17: Jesus was saying a prayer to the Father just before going to His death. He is speaking of the apostles; "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You." Several times in this one prayer, Jesus prays that in in the future His disciples would be "one." (Unified, not divided, not denominationalized).
Ephesians 4: Paul teaches the Ephesian Christians; "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." It is clear that with God there is "one."
1 Corinthians 1: Paul taught the Corinthian church; "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas', still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided?" He makes clear here that division is unacceptable in the Lord's church.
The first century writers were working to ensure that all churches were following the same gospel, the same pattern. The NT is compiled of these writings to give us a pattern to follow today, that we might all be a part of a unified church following the same Bible guidelines.
With all of this teaching, there is no way to conclude that God wants a splintered church....with 41,000 branches. This practice of denominations is unacceptable and contrary to God's plan and His Word.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week, a great 4th of July week!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Lessons from Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 is often called the faith chapter. Here we will look at a few key points that are particularly significant. In fact, the whole chapter is especially powerful and worthy, for sure, of our more close examination.
The chapter begins with the definition of faith. And we should note that when we read here of faith, it is talking about the specific faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Note verse 1: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." In other words, if we know something to be true, there is no faith required. But here faith is defined as being certain of something that we cannot see. That takes faith.
Then in verse 6, we read: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him." It is not enough to believe that God exists; we must believe that He is a rewarder of His people. And another important point here is that He rewards those who "earnestly (or diligently) seek Him." We have to be people who believe in Him, believe that He rewards His own, and we must be earnestly seeking Him.
Most of the rest of the chapter deals with Old Testament characters, great men and women, who served God and sacrificed greatly to follow Him. These include Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and even many unnamed men and women who were great in their faith; many even gave their lives for the cause. But.............
The final key point in the chapter is very powerful. Listen to the end of the chapter: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." As great as all of these people were, they didn't receive the very important "promise" of God. This refers to the promise from Genesis 12 where God told Abraham that through his "seed," his descendants, all of the world would be blessed. This would come in the form of Jesus....and of course, would come much later, much after all of these great people were dead. This final point says "God had planned something better for us..." This is Jesus. The people of old did not get the full blessing of having Jesus; but we do! And that is the main point of all of Hebrews chapter 11. We are blessed people.....but we must be people of faith....and followers of Him!
Thanks for reading. Come again!
The chapter begins with the definition of faith. And we should note that when we read here of faith, it is talking about the specific faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Note verse 1: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." In other words, if we know something to be true, there is no faith required. But here faith is defined as being certain of something that we cannot see. That takes faith.
Then in verse 6, we read: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him." It is not enough to believe that God exists; we must believe that He is a rewarder of His people. And another important point here is that He rewards those who "earnestly (or diligently) seek Him." We have to be people who believe in Him, believe that He rewards His own, and we must be earnestly seeking Him.
Most of the rest of the chapter deals with Old Testament characters, great men and women, who served God and sacrificed greatly to follow Him. These include Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and even many unnamed men and women who were great in their faith; many even gave their lives for the cause. But.............
The final key point in the chapter is very powerful. Listen to the end of the chapter: "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." As great as all of these people were, they didn't receive the very important "promise" of God. This refers to the promise from Genesis 12 where God told Abraham that through his "seed," his descendants, all of the world would be blessed. This would come in the form of Jesus....and of course, would come much later, much after all of these great people were dead. This final point says "God had planned something better for us..." This is Jesus. The people of old did not get the full blessing of having Jesus; but we do! And that is the main point of all of Hebrews chapter 11. We are blessed people.....but we must be people of faith....and followers of Him!
Thanks for reading. Come again!
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Some Characteristics of God
We learn a lot about God and His nature by studying the Old Testament. We know from our study of the NT that God brings about His new way in the NT, through Jesus. But God is still the same God in OT times as in NT times; He doesn't change.
And we learn throughout the Bible that God is love....and forgiveness, and patience, and tolerance...to a point. But God is also a specific God. We see that in the NT in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus made it clear that only those who truly followed Him would enter His kingdom. And in Acts 5, we read of 2 people who lied to God and He killed them. God has a specific and demanding side; after all, He is God.
In the OT, we read of many examples where God didn't put up with disobedience. He loved His people and showed that over and over again through His patience and His leadership. But as an example, Saul in 1 Samuel 15, did not follow God's specific commands and he was removed from being king. Another case is Naaman in 2 Kings 5, where Naaman was told by God's prophet that all he had to do to be cured of his leprosy was to dip 7 times in the river Jordan. Naaman was furious about this, thinking this to be a silly request--dip in a dirty river 7 times. But God is a specific god, and Naaman was not going to be healed until he did exactly what God said.
We could go on and on with examples of God's expectations of man; how He required that man submit to His way, and His way only. God has that right, of course; and it is imperative that we understand this key characteristic of Him....and do what He says. That is not always easy, because we want to do things our way; still we must realize that he is serious about His will being done.
Once again, thanks for reading. Feel the love.
And we learn throughout the Bible that God is love....and forgiveness, and patience, and tolerance...to a point. But God is also a specific God. We see that in the NT in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus made it clear that only those who truly followed Him would enter His kingdom. And in Acts 5, we read of 2 people who lied to God and He killed them. God has a specific and demanding side; after all, He is God.
In the OT, we read of many examples where God didn't put up with disobedience. He loved His people and showed that over and over again through His patience and His leadership. But as an example, Saul in 1 Samuel 15, did not follow God's specific commands and he was removed from being king. Another case is Naaman in 2 Kings 5, where Naaman was told by God's prophet that all he had to do to be cured of his leprosy was to dip 7 times in the river Jordan. Naaman was furious about this, thinking this to be a silly request--dip in a dirty river 7 times. But God is a specific god, and Naaman was not going to be healed until he did exactly what God said.
We could go on and on with examples of God's expectations of man; how He required that man submit to His way, and His way only. God has that right, of course; and it is imperative that we understand this key characteristic of Him....and do what He says. That is not always easy, because we want to do things our way; still we must realize that he is serious about His will being done.
Once again, thanks for reading. Feel the love.
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