Category: Articles

Water Baptism…

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Water Baptism

There are many views on water baptism today. Some differ concerning the mode of water baptism. Others disagree on the essentiality of water baptism in the name of Christ as far as salvation from past sins and becoming a Christian is concerned. What does God teach on these issues? Why do people differ on whether “baptism” is immersion only or, our choice between immersion, sprinkling, or pouring?

Bible Baptism is defined as “immersion”

There are a few words in Greek manuscripts that are translated “baptism” (or its forms: baptize, baptized, baptizing, etc.) in the new testament. Note the Strong’s # and the transliteration into English letters of that Greek word, followed by the form of the English word “baptize” in the following occurrences:

STRONGS NT #907: “βαπτίζω…
v., baptizo, were baptized, was baptized, to be baptized,
Acts 2:38,41; 8:12,13,16,36,38; 10:47,48; 16:15,33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Rom. 6:3; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27

STRONGS NT 908: βάπτισμα
n., baptisma, baptism,
Rom. 6:4; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:12; I Pet. 3:21
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From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 907: “βαπτίζω…
1. properly, to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge …
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water; …to wash oneself, bathe; …
3. metaphorically, to overwhelm, … to be overwhelmed with calamities, of those who must bear them, Matthew 20:22f Rec.; Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50 …
II. In the N. T. it is used particularly of the rite of sacred ablution, first instituted by John the Baptist, afterward by Christ’s command…(see βάπτισμα, 3), viz., an immersion in water…
a. The word is used absolutely, to administer the rite of ablution, to baptize…  Mark 1:4; John 1:25f, 28; John 3:22f, 26; John 4:2; John 10:40; 1 Corinthians 1:17; with the cognate noun τό βάπτισμα, Acts 19:4; ὁ βαπτίζων substantively equivalent to ὁ βαπτιστής, Mark 6:14 (24 T Tr WH). τινα, John 4:1; Acts 8:38; 1 Corinthians 1:14, 16. Passive to be baptized: Matthew 3:13f, 16; Mark 16:16; Luke 3:21; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12, 13,(); ; 1 Corinthians 1:15 … to allow oneself to be initiated by baptism, to receive baptism: Luke [iii.7,12]; vii.30; Acts 2:38; Acts 9:18; Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; with the cognate noun τό βάπτισμα added, Luke 7:29; 1 aorist middle, 1 Corinthians 10:2 … Acts 22:16. followed by a dative of the thing with which baptism is performed, ὕδατι, see bb. below.
b. with prepositions; aa. εἰς, to mark the element into which the immersion is made: εἰς τόν Ιορδάνην, Mark 1:9. to mark the end: εἰς μετάνοιαν, to bind one to repentance, Matthew 3:11; εἰς τό Ἰωάννου βάπτισμα, to bind to the duties imposed by John’s baptism, Acts 19:3 … to profess the name (see ὄνομα, 2) of one whose follower we become, Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5; 1 Corinthians 1:13, 15; εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν, to obtain the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38; εἰς τόν Μωυσῆν, to follow Moses as a leader, 1 Corinthians 10:2. to indicate the effect: εἰς ἕν σῶμα, to unite together into one body by baptism, 1 Corinthians 12:13; εἰς Χριστόν, εἰς τόν θάνατον αὐτοῦ, to bring by baptism into fellowship with Christ, into fellowship in his death, by which fellowship we have died to sin, Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3 … by the authority of the Lord, Acts 10:48. …relying on the name of Jesus Christ, i. e. reposing one’s hope on him, Acts 2:38…”

From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 908: βάπτισμα
βάπτισμα, βαπτίσματος, τό (βαπτίζω), a word peculiar to N. T. and ecclesiastical writings, immersion, submersion;1. used tropically of calamities and afflictions with which one is quite overwhelmed: Matthew 20:22f Rec.; Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50 (see βαπτίζω, I. 3).
2. of John’s baptism, that purificatory rite by which men on confessing their sins were bound to a spiritual reformation, obtained the pardon of their past sins and became qualified for the benefits of the Messiah’s kingdom soon to be set up: Matthew 3:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 11:30; Luke 7:29; Luke 20:4; Acts 1:22; Acts 10:37; Acts 18:25; (); βάπτισμα μετανοίας, binding to repentance (Winer’s Grammar, 188 (177)), Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4.
3. of Christian baptism; this, according to the view of the apostles, is a rite of sacred immersion, commanded by Christ, by which men confessing their sins and professing their faith in Christ are born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life, come into the fellowship of Christ and the church (1 Corinthians 12:13), and are made partakers of eternal salvation; (but see article in BB. DD., McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia, Schaff-Herzog): Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12 (L marginal reading Tr βαπτισμῷ which see); 1 Peter 3:21; εἰς τόν θάνατον Romans 6:4 (see βαπτίζω, II. [end of Thayer’s definition on #908]

Notice the use of the terms “immersion”, “submerge”, “dip”, and “dipping” in the definition of the Greek words which are translated into the forms of baptism (n.) and baptize (v.). There is no indication that water baptism in the Bible was anything close to pouring or sprinkling (in fact, there are other Greek words that are translated properly “sprinkled” or “pour/ed” in the New Testament (See Strong’s #4378,4472,4473, for “sprinkled” and Strong’s #1632, 2708,2767 for “pour, poured”).

“Well,” one might ask, “what difference does it make?” Romans 15:4 teaches us that the things written long ago in Scripture were written “for our learning”. What difference did it make for Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10 when they changed God’s way and offered strange fire in an offering to Him! John 4:24 says we must worship God in spirit and in truth. Colossians 3:17 teaches us that whatever we do in word or deed, it is to be by the authority (i.e. in the name of) Christ Jesus! It makes a huge difference!

We simply cannot substitute sprinkling or pouring of water on a person when God tells us to be “buried with Christ in baptism” in Romans 6:3,4 and Colossians 2:12. Substitutions are not what God requires or allows (2 John 9)!

[Please note: There are some English dictionaries that list sprinkling and pouring in defining “baptism”. Sometimes, these are secondary definitions. We need to realize that the New Testament words were written in the koine Greek language and we must get our definitions to New Testament words from koine Greek authorities (even as opposed to Classical and/or Modern Greek dictionaries) and certainly NOT from modern English dictionaries!]

The Baptism of The Great Commission is commanded!

The reading in Matthew 28:18-20 is often called The Great Commission. This is God’s way of spreading the gospel of Christ to the lost and gives us all an opportunity to obey the gospel and become God’s children in Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice that the culminating action on our part, done by a penitent confessing person who has faith in obedience to God’s will, is baptism.

Water baptism (of the Great Commission, was mandated throughout the Gospel Age. In other passages in the New Testament, there are direct statements, approved examples and even unavoidable conclusions which support the view that water baptism is essential to one’s salvation in becoming a child of God today! (See Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16; Rom. 6:1-17; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:9-14;

Baptism in the name of Jesus is by His authority!

I cannot think of anything that is clearer when we read Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ‘ ” (NASB)

Jesus, having all authority in heaven and on earth, mandates the “Go, teach, baptize, teaching them to observe what I have commanded you” directive which is to continue until Jesus comes again!

Infant baptism is not found in the New Testament

In all the aforementioned cases, the individuals being baptized were responsible for their actions and able to hear the gospel preached and make a decision as to whether to obey God concerning the command to be baptized. Babies are simply not able to “believe the gospel”, “repent of any sins” (for they have none), “confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus”, nor request/respond to the gospel invitation to willingly, of their own free will…ask to be baptized for the remission of sins into the body of Christ!

Water Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is “for the remission of sins”

This is a point of controversy among religious teachers today. Most religious teachers simply assert (without proof) that baptism does NOT save us. God’s word, in I Peter 3:21 says just the opposite…that baptism does save us! Now we must realize that God saves us, the blood of Christ saves us, the gospel saves us, faith in Christ saves us, repentance saves us, confessing Christ saves us…so there are numerous things concerning “God’s part” and “man’s part” in our salvation. But, we can NEVER “do anything” to earn/merit our salvation….it is doing what God requires us to do to come into contact with the previous saving blood of Jesus Christ that saves us. Matthew 7:21 plainly teaches the necessity of obedience to God, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (NET Bible)

Despite the clarity of passages teaching that baptism is essential for the remission of sins…numerous preachers and teachers say it just isn’t so! Many are being drawn away by false doctrines of men who teach things that are patently false! (If you wish to see more information on the technical language aspects of “for the remission of sins” in the New Testament, please click HERE).

“I’ve already been immersed in water, so I’m ok!”

In Acts 18:24-26, we read of Apollos, who was an eloquent speaker and mighty in the Scriptures: but there was a flaw in his teaching… he knew only the baptism of John. The baptism of John the Baptist was a precursor to the baptism of Jesus Christ. Apollos was taken aside by a loving couple and taught the way of the Lord more perfectly (accurately, NASB). There are many people today who have been baptized in water once or even several times, but not according to the “way of the Lord“. Some folks need to be baptized properly, as their previous baptism was not the baptism for the right purposes as outlined in the gospel of Christ

A person living today needs to hear the gospel, believe the gospel, repent of all past sins and confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God before being scripturally immersed in water for the remission of sins…which puts that person into the body of Christ, a new creature, born again, a babe in Christ, a person who is saved from ALL past sins See Rom. 10:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; Rom.10:9,10; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38; 22:16)!

– mjw

The Spiritual Fight…

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Soldiers in armor with shield fighting

God gives us all we need to be successful physically and spiritually in this life (2 Peter 1:3; Matthew 6:25-34).

God, through the inspired pen of Paul, tells Christians about the sword and armor that we are to use in our spiritual fight against Satan and evil. Please note Ephesians 6:10-20 in the New King James Version,

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

A sword and armor do us no good if we don’t: learn how to properly use it and then utilize it and engage the enemy for the spiritual benefits God intended!

Today, as every day on earth, we face the spiritual battle. Let us all check our “swords and armor” that we stand for and with God and fight for the victory!

– mjw

Let’s Go Fishing…

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Dick and Mark Ward holding up fish caught earlier that day

From a very early age, I was blessed to be able to go “fishing” with my Dad. As you can see from the photo above, we went fishing and caught several. Dad was preaching in Orangeburg, SC at the time and I found out many years later that this was not just “recreational” fishing! You see, when the end of the month came around, Mom would sometimes say to Dad, “Dick, you are going to need to go fishing, so we can have something to eat.” We never suffered for lack of food. God provides what we need, if we are seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness first (Mt. 6:33).

Jesus spoke to Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen by trade. What impresses me is that when Jesus said, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men….that these men left their nets immediately (i.e. at once, NIV) and followed Christ! Oh that I, and possibly you, might have such great faith! (See Mk. 1:16-18)

Those that fish for fish use live or artificial bait to lure the fish to the hook. Jesus and His disciples (including those of us today who are doing personal evangelism) are fishing for the souls of men and women who wish to be saved in the day of judgment….to be with the saved of all time in heaven forever! There are “no gimmicks, no bait, no trickery” in the spreading of the gospel as far as God’s Will is concerned.

Throughout the New Testament, like in the book of Acts, we see that the simple message of the gospel of Christ was proclaimed in love, and the audiences were invited and encouraged to respond accordingly. This resulted in men and women believing and obeying the gospel of Christ for the remission of their sins. We are to do the same today…and we will see the same result.

Some think we should “modernize” the approach…by even admittedly luring folks in with a social gospel, or church-sponsored recreational activities, or even by putting “coffee shops” in the church’s meeting house! Is this what God authorizes? No, we are to preach Christ and Him crucified to a lost and dying world, in view of “righteousness, self-control and judgment to come” and those with good and honest hearts will respond positively… while others simply choose to either put off or totally reject the invitation of God! (See Acts 24:25; Acts 2:38-43).

Wanna go fishin’ ?

(See Mt. 28:18-20; Mt. 4:18-22)

-mjw

I Peter 5:8

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photo of lion walking among prey in safari setting

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)

God is teaching us, through the inspired pen of Peter, that we have a very cunning and stealth adversary in spiritual matters. The devil, is “on the prowl” trying to get those who are with God to sin. Satan wishes to destroy our faith, our devotion to God, our lives, and our eternal destiny!

Ephesians 6 teaches that we are in a spiritual battle! We can win, with the Lord’s help and by committing to Him. Be watchful for the LION, he is after your soul.
– mjw

Peanut Butter Religion

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“If you were to go to the grocery store for peanut butter, you would find that you had several choices. You could decide on the basis of how much it cost you, how well it suited your particular tastes, and you could even have your peanut butter already mixed with jelly if you liked! Well, believe it or not, many people use this very same approach in “finding a church”.

“FINDING A CHURCH”

It has been estimated that there are over 1500 religious groups in the world today. Yet there is only one Christ. In John 17, Jesus prayed that His disciples be united. Paul, by inspiration, condemned religious division in the first chapter of I Corinthians. Why, then, the utter mass of confusion? Is God the author of such? Certainly not! (See I Cor. 14.33; Eph. 4.1-6).

Where do you go to try to find a group of people meeting in the name of the Lord? Ever look in the Yellow Pages? Pretty confusing, isn’t it? There are so many listings it can make your head spin. One might drive within a few miles of his or her home and pass by several buildings that represent a place for religious people to gather for worship.

Why not read the New Testament before making such an important decision? Sounds crazy? Not if you really think about it. The words therein are God’s Will for man living today (Heb. 1.1ff; James 1.25). The inspired words of the Bible are the words that should be our guide in searching for a local congregation of people who are practicing New Testament Christianity. But, how many people do you know look to this book before setting out to “find a church”?

“HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ME?”

Normally, one will ask the question, “What will I have to do if I go to that church?” In other words, “What’s it gonna cost me?” If we have the right spirit toward God, we will want to know what His Will is and we will want to do that. However, such is not the attitude of those who are trying to locate themselves with a congregation that will condone their present style of living with little or no change being necessary. This would be a good example of “shopping for a church.” If one particular church were maybe more tolerant of worldliness, for instance, it might appear more appealing to the flesh. But this is not the proper criteria for basing whether or not we will join ourselves to a church (Col. 3:17; Acts 9:26).

“IT SUITS ME”

It is possible to “find a church” that suits your every whim and desire. The possibilities are almost endless. But this is a peanut butter religion; choosing the kind YOU like best. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…His Son built His church…man has no right to pick and choose in religious matters today like we might pick and choose our peanut butter at the grocery store! (John 3:16; Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Lk. 9:23; Lk. 14: 26-33). Let us determine to seek God and His Will and forsake all others. Brethren and friends, think on these things (Phil. 4.8).

  – mjw

When Brethren Disagree…

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Two people in disagreement seeking agreement after discussion

It is obvious that people who are brethren among churches of Christ disagree on Bible subjects. What is interesting to this writer is that there is often a general apathy concerning that fact. The very fact that the Bible clearly teaches that there are “babes” in Christ and that we should grow into saints of a “full age” having our senses “exercised to discern” both good and evil (Hebrews 5:10-14), should suggest that we would mature into “truth” on various topical matters over which there is disagreement among well meaning brethren. Here are some Biblical thoughts concerning what we should do when brethren disagree.

EXPRESS A LOVE FOR EACH OTHER

I Corinthians 13 teaches that without “love” or “charity” we are nothing spiritually. The admonition, “let brotherly love continue” is certainly not limited to those brethren with whom we agree! Since disagreements involve conflict of at least two, if not more, points of view on a particular topic, let’s not add “fuel to the fire” by acting in such a way as to contribute to a “bad environment for learning”. Let’s do all we can to contribute to an environment that allows confidence that a healthy, profitable study can occur of opposing beliefs with an effort to unite on God’s truth on the matter!

EXPRESS A LOVE FOR TRUTH

I am reminded of the phrase “buy the truth and sell it not”. Do we really LOVE truth? IF we continue in His word, THEN are we His disciples indeed (John 8:31,32). If two (or more) folks are studying an issue over which there is disagreement, a love for truth by all involved can go a long way towards contributing to a good study. Certainly there must be more involved, but we need to always express a love for God’s truth in our studies.

EXHIBIT PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING IN DISAGREEMENT

Since Biblical love expresses itself actively (as found in I Corinthians 13 and elsewhere) with attributes like patience and longsuffering, we should learn this behavior if we are not currently practicing it. What better way to exercise ourselves in godliness than to be gentle, longsuffering, and patient with those with whom we disagree on a matter? Just like it is easy to “love those who love us” and harder for us to “love our enemies”…it is also easier to “have patience with those who agree with us” and harder for us to “have patience with those who disagree with us”. No matter what our conviction on a topic, we need more doses of this in our studies! The devil is very pleased when we are short, curt, blunt, careless with words, unfeeling, impatient, and “short-suffering” with either our brethren or fellow man.

REALIZE THE DEVIL WANTS DISAGREEMENT AND GOD DESIRES UNITY

I have heard it taught, and rightly so, that a church that is growing will be “filled with error” from the standpoint of having many babes in Christ in the group who don’t hold the truth on some matters (yet). The natural process of teaching, growth, maturation, etc will eliminate a lot, if not all of this error (on their part)…as it well should. Please consider this aspect of disagreements over spiritual matters, the devil is very pleased with “continuing disagreement” and a lack of study on matters wherein we should seek agreement. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. I Corinthians 1:10 points out that we are to seek to be of the same mind and the same judgment. Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8 both point to the fact that brethren in differing stages of growth see spiritual matters differently, albeit there IS a Bible answer to the topic, we still must proceed with the instruction in those passages while we disagree with each other. There are other passages of scripture that must be heeded as well, but in this study we are concentrating on how we behave while we are in the studying process with those with whom we disagree. (We will leave other matters to potential future article material).

OPEN MINDS & OPEN BIBLES

How can we ever learn something if we already have a closed mind on the topic? Simply stated, we can’t. We will have to open our minds and be receptive to God’s truth before we can recognize any false idea or practice that we might believe is authorized. Many folks don’t even open the Bible or appeal to Bible passages in support of their position/conviction/conscience on a matter! Can we not see from passages like 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3; Ephesians 3:4; and Matthew 4:4 how we should open our Bibles and really get into the Word of God to find our answers? I am amazed at the viewpoints held by many on issues regarding the work and worship of the local church, for example, without any scriptural foundation or without even believing such is necessary in some cases!

CONSIDER THE OPPOSING VIEWPOINT

Have you ever been with someone that was “so right” they would not even consider they could be wrong? I am so impressed with the statements in the inspired record in the latter verses of Acts 18 concerning Apollos. He was quite a speaker! Mighty in the scriptures. Right on numerous points. What type of attitude do you think he must have had (at least somewhere along the line of being taught) in considering what Aquila and Priscilla had to say? We all could take a page out of Apollos’ book on that matter, don’t you think?

GIVE DIGESTION TIME AFTER STUDY

Finally, a thought about not believing that everyone is going to come to a studied conclusion, or even the truth on the same topic, at the same rate of speed! Sometimes folks need “digestion time” to ponder the evidence from God’s Word, consider carefully the points made for and against a particular position or viewpoint….and then reach a conclusion. Even then, shouldn’t we always be willing and ready to study with one of an opposing view for our good AND theirs? I would hope we would.

May God continue to bless every effort for good. Thanks for reading.

  • mjw

[Editor’s Note: If you have comments about this article, please feel free to write: teacher@markjward.com. Please begin your email: Dear Mark J. Ward. Thanks.]

The Life of Christ

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The Life of Christ

Part 1 – INTRODUCTION
by Dick Ward

This is Part 1 of a 4 part e-book series on the Life of Christ.

The lessons and a printed study book were presented to the Oak Grove church of Christ in Jennings, FL. (I will continue to look for the audio and post it later, if found. – mjw)

LINK to PDF STUDY BOOK