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incarnationsf · 4 years

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Gifts of Gratitude for the Messiah

By the Rev. Darren Miner

Gospel Reading

Today, we officially celebrate the Second Sunday after Christmas and the last day of the Christmas season, and we unofficially celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. I say, “unofficially,” for while tomorrow is the actual feast day, the Gospel readings are, in fact, identical. So you can consider this a preview of coming attractions, like a movie trailer.

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day, even older than Christmas. Like Christmas, it is a feast of the Incarnation. Since Incarnation happens to be the title of our parish, it is quite fitting that three of our stained-glass windows have to do with the visitation of the Magi, a story long-associated with the Epiphany. We have three crowns, three gifts, and a miraculous star. (You get extra credit if you can spot them later!) But the Epiphany differs from Christmas, that other great feast of the Incarnation, in that it has a narrower focus: the appearance of the Incarnate God to the Gentiles.

The Gospel reading for today is that well-known story of the Magi. The story is too well-known, in fact, for we think that we know more than we really do! We think that there are precisely three Magi, despite the fact that the Bible never specifies their number. We think that the Magi are really foreign kings, despite there being no mention of this in the Scriptures. We think that we know their names—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—information St. Matthew never provides. And we even think we know better than the Gospel about where the event took place. For the Gospel says that the Magi visited the Holy Family in a house, whereas every nativity scene in the world shows the Magi headed for a stable.

So what do we really, really know? Just this…some unknown number of Magi, Zoroastrian priests from Persia, travel in search of a great king whose birth has been foretold in the heavens. But astrology gets them only so far. When they get to Jerusalem, they must consult with Jewish religious scholars to determine what only divine revelation can tell them, the exact location of the Messiah’s birth.

Herod, being a great liar, hopes to dupe the Magi into revealing the Messiah, so that Herod can have him killed. So he has his priests and scribes assist the Magi by giving them the name of the town where the Messiah is to be born, Bethlehem of Judea. The Magi start out for Bethlehem, following that same miraculous star that first guided them to Jerusalem. (Now why they needed a star to lead them the last six miles to Bethlehem, I don’t know. But then again, I get lost driving across town without GPS!)

Now this wandering star has puzzled rational minds for the last couple of centuries. Scientists have tried to prove that the wandering star was really a comet or a planetary conjunction. For then, they might determine the exact moment of our Savior’s birth. But in my opinion, all such scientific speculation is in vain. For the Gospel is clearly talking about a miracle, not a natural event.

According to St. Matthew’s account, the Magi bring three gifts to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Odd gifts to bring a little baby, don’t you think! I would have thought that diapers, a warm blanket, and a proper crib would have been more useful. Now there are two possible explanations for these strange gifts: 1) men are really bad shoppers, or 2) the gifts are the fulfilment of prophecy. The correct answer is #2: the gifts have a prophetic meaning. According to tradition, the gift of gold symbolized that the child would be a king; frankincense, that he would be a priest; and myrrh, which was a burial spice, that he was destined to die a prophet’s death.

While scientists debate about the wandering star, biblical scholars argue about whether any part of this story can possibly be historical fact. I will leave them to their debate. It matters little to me, one way or the other. For the point of this captivating story is to express a theological truth, not a historical one. And that theological truth is just this: the Jewish Messiah was sent to save non-Jews, as well as Jews. And for most of us here today, that is life-changing news indeed.

Think about this: the Magi were Gentiles, priests of the god Ahura Mazda, who left their homeland and traveled far to acknowledge that salvation comes from the Jews—or to be more precise—from their Messiah. Through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation has been offered to all humankind as a free gift. All that is required is for us to accept that gift with gratitude and to let it transform our lives. The Magi responded to this great gift with the most costly gifts that they could give in return: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The question I leave you with today is this: what gifts of gratitude are you willing to bring to honor your Lord and Savior?

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thetoorebelkidfan-blog · 6 years

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WHAT IS THE UPSIDE FOR ATHEISTS? BY STEVE FINNELL Atheist deny the existence of God. Is there an upside for atheist? Atheist believe when they die they will simply cease to exist.Where is the upside? THE UPSIDE LIST FOR ATHEISTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. THE DOWNSIDE LIST 1. Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. If atheists are correct in believing that there is no God, there is no upside for them. If they are wrong, there is a big downside for them. If Christians are wrong they lose nothing. They are rewarded just as the atheist. If Christians are correct, they gain eternal life and live in the presence of God. Psalms 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."......... WHAT IS THE UPSIDE FOR ATHEISTS? READ MORE AT>>>. steve-finnell.blogspot.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016 NO VOTE WILL BE TAKEN ON JUDGMENT DAY BY STEVE FINNELL There are many who believe that when judgment day arrives; that, majority opinion will determine entry into heaven. Many people believe that God will not send people to hell just because they reject Jesus as the Christ. Acts 4:10-12 ....by the name of Jesus Christ....12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. On judgment day, some would have you believe there will be a listed ballot from which you can cast your vote for the Savior of your choice. CHECK THE REDEEMER OF YOUR CHOICE 1. Jesus 2. Kiou-tse 3. Kriskna 4. Dhouvanai 5. Horus 6. Balder 7. Hiram Abiff 8. Sosiosch 9. None of the above. There is just one choice "JESUS." That selection has to be made prior to judgment day. THERE WILL NOT BE A SAVIOR VOTE TAKEN ON JUDGMENT DAY! Many also believe God gives believer in Christ "multiple choice" plans of salvation from which to cast a vote. 1. The grace only plan. 2. The faith only plan. 3. The sinner's prayer plan. 4. The good works plan. 5. The water baptism only plan. 6. The confessing Jesus as the Christ only plan. 7. The repentance only plan. 8. The deathbed conversion plan. 9. The universal plan of salvation. THERE WILL BE NO VOTE TAKEN, ON JUDGMENT DAY. THERE IS JUST ONE PLAN OF SALVATION.. There is one way to be saved. FAITH: John 3:16 REPENTANCE: Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38 CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37 WATER IMMERSION: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Titus 3:5, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12-13, Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Peter 3:20-21. ALL OF THESE ARE ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. Then remain faithful: Revelation 2:10 THERE WILL BE NO VOTE TAKEN ON JUDGMENT DAY! Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. There are 2.2 billion people who claim they are Christians. Do you believe that they will all enter through that narrow gate? If not, why not? ON JUDGMENT DAY THERE WILL BE NO MAJORITY VOTE TAKEN TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE SAVED! JESUS HAS THE ONLY VOTE THAT WILL BE COUNTED! READ MORE AT>>>. Steve-finnell.blogspot.com CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING....? BY STEVE FINNELL Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His Name. What if Jesus had said; "Saul, your baptism in water was just an act of obedience, it had nothing to do with washing away your sins. CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? John 8:24 'Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." What if Jesus had said; "You do not have to worry about believing the I am the Son of God, because I will impute to those, I have preselected for salvation, the faith to believe and be saved. Have you not heard of the doctrine, saved by grace alone? Those who will die in their sins are those who have been selected for hell." CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, What if Jesus had told Ananias, "Go lay hands your on Saul so he may receive his sight, however, you do not have to baptize him and have him call on My name; because he believed in me on the road to Damascus and has said the sinner's prayer, so he already has his sins forgiven." CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? What if Jesus had said; "Ananias, you should baptize Saul so he can join the 1st Ananias Church of Damascus?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? What if Jesus had said to Saul; "If you die on the way to your baptism it is not important because I know what is in your heart?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? What if Jesus had said to Saul; "Water baptism is just symbolic, it has nothing to do with actual forgiveness and besides remember I forgave the paralytic and he had not been baptized, he was forgiven because of his friend's faith. You did not even have to believe to be saved, you could have been saved like the paralytic?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? What if Jesus had said; "Saul, when the apostle Peter said to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, he really meant to say you are baptized because your sins have already been forgiven?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? Hebrews 9:22.....without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. What if Jesus had said; "I shed My blood on the cross as an act of obedience to the Father, but it had absolutely nothing to do with the forgiveness of men's sins?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THAT? Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. What if Jesus had said; "The conjunction"and" does not mean "and" in the original Greek; therefore belief and baptism are not linked together as a condition for salvation?" What if Jesus had said; "Has been baptized shall be saved, means you were saved when you believed and then were baptized as an example of your faith to the community?" What if Jesus had said; "Mark 16:16 Is missing from some manuscript copies of Scripture, so you cannot believe what I said here?" What if Jesus had said; " I did not mention, in Mark 16:16, that you would be condemned if you rejected water baptism; therefore you can be saved without being baptized?" CAN YOU IMAGINE JESUS SAYING THESE THINGS? MEN NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT THEY IMAGINE JESUS SAID! Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. READ MORE AT>>>>. steve-finnell.blogspot.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016 FEAR CAN BE POSITIVE! BY STEVE FINNELL Why do some reject Jesus as Lord and Savior and others accept Him? Why is it, some accept the teaching found in Scripture concerning the terms for pardon and other believe in the man-made traditions found in creed books and statements of faith? Could there be a direct correlation between rejecting the truth and not fearing God? FEAR OF GOD IS A POSITIVE Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Fear of the Lord is when knowledge originates. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. Fear of the Lord is the introduction to wisdom. Lack of fear produces the absence of wisdom. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. Fear of the Lord lengthens your days here on earth. Proverbs 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. Fear of the Lord helps men avoid evil. THE TWO CRIMINALS AND FEAR OF GOD Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying , "Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." THE FIRST CRIMINAL DID NOT FEAR GOD Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Without fear of God there is no way men can understand the truth. Without wisdom, knowledge, and understanding men are left hanging on the cross with the first criminal. FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE FIRST STEP TO ACCEPTING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. John 12:42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; The rulers did not confess Jesus because they feared the Pharisees more than they feared the Lord. The question is; how many preachers today will not preach water baptism as being essential for salvation because they fear losing their jobs more than they fear God? Why do some men fear saying, Jesus is the only way to the Father?(John14:6) Why do men fear teaching the terms of pardon. FAITH: John 3:16 REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19 CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37 BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16 Do men preach their doctrine because they fear God or do they fear that they might be ostracized by their family, friends, lodge brothers, church members, and society in general if they preach the truth? DO MEN REFRAIN FROM PREACHING THE COMPLETE TRUTH BECAUSE THEY FEAR LOSING THEIR POSITION IN THE CHURCH? ACCEPTING JESUS AND TEACHING THE TRUTH STARTS WITH FEAR OF THE LORD! READ MORE AT>>>>. steve-finnell.blogspot.com

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southernmamaspeaks · 7 years

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Limits vs Leverage - God’s Precious Cargo. In Loving Memory of Gail H. Kelley

Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters. I have been asked to speak to you today on the Plan of Salvation, or the Plan of Happiness. As someone who loves Gail Kelley, and her family dearly, I want to ensure I speak in a way that I feel would be pleasing to her, as I testify of the Gospel which she loved so dearly. So I pray that you will indulge me, and that the Spirit will be with us as I talk with you.

I rarely name my talks. It feels pretentious. Yet, as I gathered thoughts, and spoke to friends about Gail in conjunction with this topic I very clearly realized today I want to talk to you about limits verses leverage. Or as Gail would say it: Drive Safe, you have precious cargo.

We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. The Plan of Salvation is God’s plan for the Happiness of His Children. Centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, The Plan of Salvation answers questions of “Where did I come from?”, “What is my purpose?”, and “Where will I go after this life?” Some of life’s most perplexing questions are indeed answered by a simple plan which was laid out to us before this mortal existence. The Plan of happiness instills in us a knowledge that if we will set the heavens as our goal, we will be able to reach them at the end of our mortal lives. John 3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world. That he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

We are God’s Precious cargo.

One day while I was at the park with my then 4 and 6 year old girls, I watched them playing by going up and down on the see saw, and lifting their hands up to the sky when they made it to the top. When I walked over toward them, my six year old told me they were going so high she was reaching heaven. In her mind, she was not bound by the limits of her mortality. She merely saw the heavens as her goal, and felt it was within her grasp if she would only reach for it.

I continued to watch the girls laugh, and play, and look up into the sky. I watched the see saw go up and down, and up and down. I began to think of the limits, and the leverages in our lives. The elder of my girls was bigger, and weighed more than the younger. It took more effort for her to kick off the ground to get to the top. Yet even though it took more effort, she would not stay at the bottom- content to sit on the dirt, while her sister dangled her feet in the air. She would kick harder, and aim higher to grab at the sky. However, her weight was not borne by her alone. The fulcrum on the playground teeter totter helped to bear her weight, and lift her up. From the Latin - fulcire meaning to prop, a fulcrum is defined as “ a thing which plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation”.

Christ, his grace, and his atoning sacrifice in Gethsemne is the fulcrum in both our temporal and spiritual existence. He bears our burdens, no matter how light, or how heavy. He props us up no matter how young, or how old; and he propels us to the Father no matter how weak, or how strong. By coming before the Father, and saying here am I, send me. Christ became the essential piece necessary to lift man from his fallen state, and back into the presence of the Father.

But where do we place Christ in our lives - as we teeter, and totter from one trial, time, and season to the next? For Gail, and Donald Kelley His place was, and is at the center. It is evident in the love, and service Gail has rendered without limit to her marriage, her family, her friends, and her faith for as long as I, or any of us, have known her.

Sadly, today is a day of limits. We are limited right now on this side of the veil in our ability to hug, and hold, and touch, and talk with one we hold so dear. I am limited in my ability to hear “Hey Girlie”, or “do what you think is best” one more time from Gail while my feet still tread on mortal sod. But today is also a day of limitless possibility. Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom knew we would experience and be limited in this life. But He leveraged for us those limits by providing a Savior, and Redeemer in Jesus Christ. That by, and through Him we might be saved, and return to the loving arms of our Father in Heaven. Archimedes once said, “give me a lever and I can lift the whole world”. Well, on April 17, 2017 Christ lifted yet another one of God’s Precious cargo back into the heavens.

And so I will end at the beginning with a little more driving advice from Gail. And because I know she would laugh at me for even quoting her in the first place, I know she won’t mind when I argue with her just a little. Gail would tell all of her kiddos “give yourself plenty of time to brake” as they drove her precious cargo from point A to point B in this life. But today I will challenge each of you, in memory of one who loved the gospel so much by saying this:

Don’t brake. Ever.

Kick off the ground. Hurl yourself forcefully, and with all of your might to the Lord. Gather yourself in your shafts, and your whirlwinds all of your problems, and your limits, your mournings, your doubts, your sorrows, and your weaknesses, and allow God to leverage their load through his son Jesus Christ. Follow the plan of happiness which puts the brakes on Satan’s plan to keep us from our Father in Heaven, and from reuniting with our beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend Gail Kelley. Ride at a safe distance from him. Put him, and all of his limits in your rear view mirror; and continue on your journey to God the Father through his son Jesus Christ. Choose the right route. If you are traveling down a wrong road, turn around, and reach for the heavens through the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Set Christ as your center, and Drive Safe. You are God’s, and Gail’s Precious Cargo.

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christianstevefinnell · 3 years

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Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

The design of water baptism in the New Testament is unquestionably to allow for the sinner’s sins to be removed by the blood of Jesus. This purpose is variously described as “to be saved” (Mark 16:16), “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), to “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27), to “enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5), to “wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16), to place one “into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13) and “into Christ” (Romans 6:3). These are parallel expressions that pinpoint the same design.In an effort to avoid the clear import of such verses, some theologians have concocted the notion that water baptism is a post-salvation action that follows the forgiveness of sins. Christendom, almost in its entirety, insists that remission of sin is imparted to the sinner at the very moment the sinner “believes” (i.e., accepts Jesus as personal Savior). This reception of Christ is an internal, mostly intellectual/mental decision in which the individual makes a genuine commitment to receive Jesus as Lord.In his book How To Be Born Again, Billy Graham articulated the viewpoint espoused by the bulk of Christendom: “All you have to do to be born again is to repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior” (1977, p. 156). He stated further: “Faith is trust, an act of commitment, in which I open the door of my heart to Him” (p. 160); “It means a single, individual relinquishment of mind and heart toward the one person, Jesus Christ” (p. 161); “Conversion occurs when we repent and place our faith in Christ” (p. 162). Near the close of his book, Graham summarized the prevailing view of when forgiveness occurs:

Make it happen now. …If you are willing to repent for your sins and to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can do it now. At this moment you can either bow your head or get on your knees and say this little prayer which I have used with thousands of persons on every continent: O God, I acknowledge that I have sinned against You. I am sorry for my sins. I am willing to turn from my sins. I openly receive and acknowledge Jesus Christ as my Savior. I confess Him as Lord. From this moment on I want to live for Him and serve Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen. …If you are willing to make this decision and have received Jesus Christ as your own Lord and Savior, then you have become a child of God in whom Jesus Christ dwells. …You are born again (pp. 168-169, emp. in orig.).

Mr. Graham leaves no doubt as to his view of when forgiveness of sins occurs, and that it occurs before and without water baptism.Another popular Christian writer, Max Lucado, expressed the same viewpoint in his book,He Did This Just for You:

Would you let him save you? This is the most important decision you will ever make. Why don’t you give your heart to him right now? Admit your need. Agreewith his work. Accept his gift. Go to God in prayer and tell him, I am a sinner in need of grace. I believe that Jesus died for me on the cross. I accept your offer of salvation. It’s a simply prayer with eternal results (2000, p. 50, italics and emp. in orig.).

Lucado then followed this statement with a “response page” that provided the reader with the opportunity to make the decision that he (Lucado) has just advocated. The page, titled “Your Response,” includes the statement, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. I want him to be the Lord of my life,” and is followed by two blank lines, one for the reader to sign his or her name, and the other to record the date (p. 51).These two widely recognized figures are sufficient to establish the point: most within Christendom believe that salvation occurs prior to water baptism. The Protestant world has insisted that water baptism is a secondary and subsequent action to salvation. But if this is the case, what then is the purpose of baptism? Various religionists have maintained that it serves as “an outward sign of an inward grace.” That is, since a person already has received the saving grace of God by which sins have been cleansed, baptism serves the purpose of providing an outward demonstration or public declaration that the person has already been saved. The claim is that baptism is a symbol—a visible expression of the forgiveness already received at the point of faith.Perhaps the reader would be shocked to find that the Bible nowhere articulates this unbiblical—albeit provocative—concept. It is the figment of someone’s vivid imagination that has been taken up and repeated so often that it “sounds biblical,” even when it is not. When Ananias prodded Paul to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16), he said nothing about an alleged symbolic (versus actual) cleansing or post-forgiveness washing. He uttered not one word that would lead the unbiased reader to even remotely conclude that Paul’s sins were washed away before he was baptized in water.The grammar that the Holy Spirit selected by which to express Himself is very often a key to allowing the Bible to interpret itself. In Acts 22:16, the grammar militates against the denominational interpretation that so often is placed on Paul’s baptism. The Holy Spirit utilized two participles and two verbs in verse 16 that clarify His intended meaning:

anastas is an aorist active participle: “having arisen” or “rising”baptisai is an aorist middle imperative verb: “get yourself baptized”apolousai is also an aorist middle imperative verb: “get your sins washed away”epikalesamenos is an aorist middle participle: “you will have been calling”

An adverbial participle is a participle that is used as an adverb to modify the verb. “Calling” is an adverbial participle of manner. It shows the manner in which the main verbs are accomplished. The verbs (“baptized” and “wash away sins”)—joined by the coordinate conjunction “and” (kai)—are “causative middles” (Robertson, 1934, p. 808) in the aorist tense, and so relate to the aorist middle of the participle that follows (“calling”). Hence, a literal translation would be: “Having arisen, get yourself baptized and get your sins washed away, and you will have been calling on the name of the Lord.” In other words, Ananias was telling Paul that the way to accomplish “calling on the Lord” was to be baptized and have his sins washed away.

But doesn’t the Bible teach that baptism is, in fact, a symbol? Doesn’t baptism have “symbolic” significance? Yes, the Bible assigns symbolic significance to baptism in regard to at least three distinct features.

ROMANS 6:3-18

In a context dealing with the power of the Gospel to counteract sin (5:20), Paul addressed the potential misconception that some may form in thinking that the continued indulgence in sin might be justified in order to allow grace to flourish (6:1). When the Romans became Christians, they died to sin (vs. 2). Thus, they should no more have continued a sinful lifestyle, than a physically deceased person could continue living physically. In arguing his point, Paul informed the Romans that water baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He used the term “likeness” (and later “form”) to pinpoint this symbolism:

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6:3-8).

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

because that is where He shed His blood on our behalf. The atoning activity of Christ was achieved in His death, burial, and resurrection. Consequently, the alien sinner taps into that redemptive power in the act of water immersion. The “newness of life”

follows

—not precedes—baptism (vs. 6). The “old man of sin,” the “body of sin,” is eliminated in the waters of baptism. Being immersed in water— “buried in baptism” (vs. 4)—is equivalent to “you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (vs. 17). Only

then

, i.e., in the act of emulating Jesus’ atonement in the waters of baptism, is one “set free from sin” (vs. 18). To summarize, notice that seven significant achievements occur at the point of water immersion: (1) baptized into Christ; (2) baptized into Christ’s death; (3) newness of life; (4) united in His death; (5) old man/body of sin crucified/done away; (6) no longer slaves of sin; and (7) freed from sin.

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

A second depiction of baptism as a symbol is seen in Paul’s identification of a link between baptism and the Old Testament practice of circumcision. God introduced the rite of circumcision into His covenant relationship with Abraham (Genesis 17:10ff.). This surgical procedure was strictly a

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

standing with God (1 Corinthians 7:19). In contrasting and comparing Christianity with various unacceptable religions and philosophies, Paul used the physical rite of Jewish circumcision as a parallel to water baptism:

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses (Colossians 2:11-14).

One must be very careful to allow the text to express itself with regard to the intended symbolism, refraining from drawing unintended points of comparison. The point that Paul was making is the idea that as skin was cut off in the act of circumcision, so sins are cut off at baptism—

skin

vs.

sin

!Paul underscored this meaning by alluding to the fact that baptism in water involves a burial followed by a resurrection—being “raised” (vs. 12). Twelve verses later, he again referred to this rising from the waters of baptism: “If then you were

raised

with Christ…” (3:1, emp. added). The conclusion is unmistakable: being buried/lowered into the waters of baptism, and then being raised from those waters, is the point at which sin is removed from the sinner—in the same way that flesh was removed from the body in the act of circumcision. In fact, Paul presented precisely the same case to the Colossians that he presented to the Romans. Note carefully the points of comparison in the following chart:Romans 6Colossians 2&3

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

Both passages teach that people are dead in sin and lost until they access the benefits of the death of Christ by being buried in water baptism. At that point, a person becomes dead to sin in the mind of God. Coming up out of the waters of baptism is a type of resurrection that signals a change in the way that person now lives life.

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him (1 Peter 3:18-22).

Peter made a powerful point of comparison. The antediluvian people had the opportunity to hear God’s will for their lives. Noah preached to them (2 Peter 2:5), perhaps for over a century (Genesis 6:3). But the day came when God brought the Flood waters upon the Earth, drowning the entire human population with the exception of only eight individuals. Peter noted that those eight people were “saved by (i.e.,

dia

—

through

) water,” i.e., through the medium of water. In other words, God used water as the dividing line between the lost and the saved. The water was the medium that separated the eight members of Noah’s family from the rest of humanity. He then compared those Flood waters with the water of baptism. The water of baptism is the dividing line that God has designated to distinguish between the lost person and the saved person.But does that mean that H

0 is the cleansing agent? Of course not. Such a conclusion would contradict other clear biblical testimony. Salvation is dependent upon and accomplished by means of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross: His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Likewise, immersion must be preceded by faith, repentance, and confession of the deity of Christ. But Peter included this very point in his discussion. When one removes the parenthetical material from the verse, the interplay between baptism and Christ’s redemptive activity is clearly seen: “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” “Resurrection” is the figure of speech known as synecdoche in which the part is put in place of the whole. “Resurrection” includes the entire atoning event of Jesus—death, burial, and resurrection. Hence, Peter attributed one’s salvation to Christ’s work on the cross—but the application of this salvific achievement to the sinner occurs

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

to being immersed? The honest exegete is forced to conclude that the Bible nowhere expounds such a notion. The symbolism associated with water baptism further verifies the essentiality of immersion as a mandatory prerequisite to forgiveness. We dare not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), since it is by Jesus’ words that we will be judged (John 12:48).

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

We are happy to grant permission for items in the "Doctrinal Matters" section to be reproduced in their entirety, as long as the following stipulations are observed: (1) Apologetics Press must be designated as the original publisher; (2) the specific Apologetics Press Web site URL must be noted; (3) the author’s name must remain attached to the materials; (4) any references, footnotes, or endnotes that accompany the article must be included with any written reproduction of the article; (5) alterations of any kind are strictly forbidden (e.g., photographs, charts, graphics, quotations, etc. must be reproduced exactly as they appear in the original); (6) serialization of written material (e.g., running an article in several parts) is permitted, as long as the whole of the material is made available, without editing, in a reasonable length of time; (7) articles, in whole or in part, may not be offered for sale or included in items offered for sale; and (8) articles may be reproduced in electronic form for posting on Web sites pending they are not edited or altered from their original content and that credit is given to Apologetics Press, including the web location from which the articles were taken.

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

0 notes

santabibliadevocionales · 4 years

Video

youtube

https://pinterest.com.mx/devocionalesbiblia https://twitter.com/SDevocionales https://santabibliadevocionales.tumblr.com https://santabibliadevocionales.blogspot.com https://facebook.com/santa.biblia.96155

Santa Biblia Del Nuevo Testamento Gálatas 3,28,29 (Devocional) Holy Bible New Testament Galatians 3,28,29

En esto no hay judío ni griego; no hay siervo ni libre; no hay hombre ni mujer; porque todos ustedes son uno en Cristo Jesús. Y si usted es de Cristo, entonces usted es descendiente y heredero de Abraham según la promesa. Gálatas 3,28,29

Pensamiento, Comentario, Reflexión: Todos ustedes son uno: y también lo es esta gran unión y conjunción significativa.

No hay una clase privilegiada por encima de esto en esta filiación por fe en Cristo, ya que los judíos bajo la ley estaban por encima de los gentiles (Romanos 10:12; 1 Corintios 12:13; Colosenses 3:11).

vínculo o libertad, Cristo pertenece a ambos por fe; donde pone "vínculo" antes de "libre". Compare la Nota, vea 1 Corintios 7:21, 1 Corintios 7:22; ver Efesios 6: 8.

Ni hombre ni mujer y, como el griego, "no hay hombre ni mujer". No hay distinción entre hombre y mujer. La diferencia de sexo no hace diferencia a los privilegios cristianos. Pero según la ley, los hombres tenían grandes privilegios. Solo los hombres tenían la circuncisión en sus cuerpos, el signo del pacto (el bautismo de contraste aplicado a hombres y mujeres); solo ellos podían ser reyes y sacerdotes, mientras que todo el sexo ahora es "reyes y sacerdotes para Dios". (Apocalipsis 1: 6); tenían un derecho previo a la herencia. En la resurrección, la relación de los sexos cesará (Lucas 20:35).

Un griego, "un hombre"; masculino, no neutral, es decir, "un hombre nuevo" en Cristo (Efesios 2:15).

Confesión de fe

Confieso mi pecado y le pido perdón, y libérame de toda condenación. Reconozco a Jesucristo como mi único y suficiente Salvador y Señor de mi vida. Escribe mi nombre en el libro de la vida.

Holy Bible New Testament Galatians 3,28,29 - Devotional

In this there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is no servant or free; there is neither man nor woman; because you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are from Christ, then you are a descendant and heir of Abraham according to the promise. Galatians 3,28,29

Thought, Comment, Reflection: You are all one: and so is this great meaningful union and conjunction.

There is no privileged class above this in this filiation by faith in Christ, since the Jews under the law were above the Gentiles (Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11).

bond or freedom, Christ belongs to both by faith; where it puts "link" before "free". Compare the Note, see 1 Corinthians 7:21, 1 Corinthians 7:22; see Ephesians 6: 8.

Neither man nor woman and, like the Greek, "there is neither man nor woman." There is no distinction between man and woman. Sex difference makes no difference to Christian privileges. But according to the law, men had great privileges. Only men had circumcision on their bodies, the sign of the covenant (the contrasting baptism applied to men and women); only they could be kings and priests, while all sex is now "kings and priests for God". (Revelation 1: 6); they had a pre-inheritance right. At the resurrection, the relationship of the sexes will cease (Luke 20:35).

A Greek, "a man"; masculine, not neutral, that is, "a new man" in Christ (Ephesians 2:15).

Confession of faith

I confess my sin and ask for forgiveness, and free me from all condemnation. I recognize Jesus Christ as my only and sufficient Savior and Lord of my life. Write my name in the Book of Life.

0 notes

devocionalesbiblia-blog · 4 years

Video

youtube

https://pinterest.es/devocionalesbiblia https://twitter.com/DevocionalesB https://youtube.com/channel/UCevQk_-6EQmp_VhKNp6cUpQ https://facebook.com/Devocionales-Biblia-103651734441774 https://devocionalesbiblia.blogspot.com https://devocionalesbiblia.tumblr.com

Santa Biblia Del Nuevo Testamento Gálatas 3,28,29 (Devocional) Holy Bible New Testament Galatians 3,28,29

Pensamiento, Comentario, Reflexión: Todos ustedes son uno: y también lo es esta gran unión y conjunción significativa.

vínculo o libertad, Cristo pertenece a ambos por fe; donde pone "vínculo" antes de "libre". Compare la Nota, vea 1 Corintios 7:21, 1 Corintios 7:22; ver Efesios 6: 8.

Un griego, "un hombre"; masculino, no neutral, es decir, "un hombre nuevo" en Cristo (Efesios 2:15).

Confesión de fe

Confieso mi pecado y le pido perdón, y libérame de toda condenación. Reconozco a Jesucristo como mi único y suficiente Salvador y Señor de mi vida. Escribe mi nombre en el libro de la vida.

Holy Bible New Testament Galatians 3,28,29 - Devotional

Thought, Comment, Reflection: You are all one: and so is this great meaningful union and conjunction.

There is no privileged class above this in this filiation by faith in Christ, since the Jews under the law were above the Gentiles (Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11).

bond or freedom, Christ belongs to both by faith; where it puts "link" before "free". Compare the Note, see 1 Corinthians 7:21, 1 Corinthians 7:22; see Ephesians 6: 8.

A Greek, "a man"; masculine, not neutral, that is, "a new man" in Christ (Ephesians 2:15).

Confession of faith

I confess my sin and ask for forgiveness, and free me from all condemnation. I recognize Jesus Christ as my only and sufficient Savior and Lord of my life. Write my name in the Book of Life.

0 notes

goconservativechristian · 4 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

#READ MORE AT. steve-finnell.blogspot.com

0 notes

stevefinnellp-blog · 5 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

0 notes

stevefinnell-blog · 5 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

0 notes

incarnationsf · 3 years

Text

Gentile Gifts for the Jewish Messiah

Gospel Reading

By the Rev. Darren Miner

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Today, we officially celebrate the Second Sunday after Christmas Day and the tenth day of the Christmas season, and we unofficially celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. I say, “unofficially,” for while Wednesday is the actual feast day, the Gospel readings are, in fact, identical. So, in a way, today’s Gospel reading serves as a preview of coming attractions, like a movie trailer.

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day, even older than Christmas. Like Christmas, it is a feast of the Incarnation. But the Epiphany differs from Christmas in that it has a narrower focus. While Christmas Day celebrates the coming of the Incarnate God into the world, the Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Incarnate God to the Gentiles.

The Gospel reading for today is that well-known story of the Magi. The story is too well-known, in fact, for we think that we know more than we really do! We think that there are precisely three Magi, despite the fact that the Bible never specifies their number. We think that the Magi are really foreign kings, despite there being no mention of this in the Scriptures. We think that we know their names—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—information St. Matthew never provides. And we even think that we know better than the Gospel about where the event took place. For the Gospel says that the Magi visited the Holy Family in a house, whereas every nativity scene in the world shows the Magi headed for a stable.

Herod, who fears for his throne, hopes to dupe the Magi into revealing the Messiah, so that Herod can have him killed. So he has his priests and scribes assist the Magi by giving them the name of the town where the Messiah is to be born, Bethlehem of Judea. The Magi start out for Bethlehem, following that same miraculous star that first guided them to Jerusalem. (Now why they needed a star to lead them the last six miles to Bethlehem, I don’t know. But then again, I get lost driving across town without GPS!)

Now this wandering star has puzzled rational minds for the last couple of centuries. Scientists have tried to prove that the wandering star was really a comet or a planetary conjunction. But in my opinion, all such scientific speculation is in vain. For the Gospel is clearly talking about a miracle, not a natural event.

The Magi bring three gifts to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Odd gifts to bring a little baby, don’t you think? I would have thought that diapers, a warm blanket, and a proper crib would have been more useful. Now there are two possible explanations for these strange gifts: 1) men are notoriously bad shoppers, or 2) the gifts are the fulfilment of prophecy. The correct answer is #2: the gifts have a prophetic meaning. According to tradition, the gift of gold symbolized that the child would be a king; frankincense, that he would be a priest; and myrrh, which was a burial spice, that he was destined to die a prophet’s death.

Let me conclude with a final thought about gifts. The Magi left their homeland and traveled a thousand miles to bring gifts to the Jewish Messiah. We don’t know exactly why. Perhaps they had somehow divined that, through the infant Jesus, salvation had been gifted to the nations of the world—for that is, in fact, what had happened! But one thing is clear: they responded to this salvific event with the most precious gifts that they could give in return. With this in mind, I leave you with two questions to ponder this New Year: How far are you willing to travel to honor the Savior of the Nations, Jesus Christ? And what precious gifts of gratitude will you bring him?

Amen.

#christmas #epiphany #magi #gold #frankinsence #myrrh #salvation of the Gentiles #gifts for Jesus #Jesus #sermon #theology #Christianity #episcopal church #episcopal #episcopalian #The Episcopal Church #anglican #Anglican Communion #AnglicanChurch

0 notes

megaonewayjesuslove-blog · 5 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

#READ MORE at. steve-finnell.blogspot.com

0 notes

achristianviews-blog · 7 years

Text

IS REPENTANCE ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO BE SAVED? BY STEVE FINNELL

A belief among some who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior is that men are saved by faith only. They assert if you simply believe in Jesus your sins are forgiven and you are part of the kingdom of God. Is that a Scriptural concept? No it is not.

Demons believe, however, they are not saved. Demons do not repent.

Mark 5:6-13 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; 7 and shouting with a loud voice, he said "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!"........12 The demons implored Him, saying, "Send us into the swine so so that we may enter into them." 13 Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. (NASB)

1. The demons believed in God.

2. The demons believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

3. The demons were not saved. Why? The demons did not repent.

4. Believing in Jesus without repentance cannot save anyone.

REPENTANCE

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (NASB)

1. Note: Jesus said the kingdom of God is at hand. The church of Christ did not arrived until the Day of Pentecost 33 AD. The Lord's church is the kingdom of God on earth.

2. Jesus said repent and believe the gospel.

Luke 24:47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (NASB)

1. Jesus said repentance was essential for the forgiveness of sins.

2. Jesus said repentance for forgiveness would begin in Jerusalem. It did begin in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD (Acts Chapter two)

3. The new covenant church, that is the kingdom of God on earth began 33 AD at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NASB)

1.After the three thousand believed the sermon Peter preached, he told the to repent so their sins could be forgiven.

2. Peter also told them to be baptized so their sin could be forgiven.

Acts 2: 38 And Peter replied, "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (The Living Bible-Paraphrased)

1. The three thousand had to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God.

2. Yes, repentance is essential in order to receive the forgiveness of sins.

3. Yes, water immersion is connected with a conjunction to link repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (NASB)

1. Yes repentance is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 3:19 Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. (The Living Bible-Paraphrased)

1. Yes repentance is essential.

Repentance is essential for the forgiveness of sins. Acts 2:38

Faith is essential for the forgiveness of sins. John 3:16

Water immersion is essential for the forgiveness of sins. Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 22:16

Confession is essential for the forgiveness of sins. Romans 10:9-10

YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG AT>>. steve-finnell.blogspot.com

0 notes

goconservativechristian · 4 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

#READ MORE AT. steve-finnell.blogspot.com

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stevefinnellp-blog · 5 years

Text

Is Baptism a Symbol?by

Dave Miller, Ph.D.

ROMANS 6:3-18

When the believing, penitent non-Christian allows him or herself to be lowered into the watery grave of baptism, a parallel to Christ’s redemptive work is taking place. Baptism is into Christ’s

death

follows

then

COLOSSIANS 2:11-13

physical

feature of the Abrahamic covenant sustained by God with the

physical

descendants of Abraham, i.e., the Israelites. In this sense, it did not pertain ultimately to one’s

spiritual

skin

vs.

sin

raised

(6:2) “we died”(3:3) “you died”

(6:8) “we died with Christ”(2:20) “you died with Christ”

(6:4) “buried with Him/baptism”(2:12) “buried with Him/baptism”

(6:4) “Christ raised from dead”(2:12) “raised Him from dead”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:5) “put to death your members”

(6:2) “live any longer in it”(3:7) “when you lived in them”

(6:4) “Walk in newness of life”(3:1) “Seek things above”

1 PETER 3:20-22

Peter added a third instance of baptism’s symbolic value.

dia

—

through

at the point of baptism

CONCLUSION

The Bible is its own best interpreter. It teaches that baptism is, indeed, a symbol.

But what does baptism symbolize?

It symbolizes: (1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (2) the act of “cutting off ” in circumcision; and (3) the waters of the Flood. How could anyone get out of this that

baptism symbolizes past forgiveness

that was achieved

prior

REFERENCES

Graham, Billy (1977),

How to be Born Again

(Waco, TX: Word Books).Lucado, Max (2000),

He did This Just for You

(Nashville, TN: Word).Robertson, A.T. (1934),

A Grammar of the Greek New Testament

(Nashville, TN: Broadman).

For catalog, samples, or further information, contact:

Apologetics Press

230 Landmark Drive

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

U.S.A.

Phone (334) 272-8558

http://www.apologeticspress.org

0 notes