The Nature of Baptism

A little less than a week ago, I was sifting through cyberspace and happened upon a high school friend's facebook profile. I was pleased to see that this person had scripture posted all over the wall, the dialogue between friends seem to be wholesome and by all appearances, seemed to be living for Jesus. Unfortunately, my encouragement would be short lived do to a small section that, in a nut-shell, listed the requirements for salvation. I wouldn't have taken any issue with Repentance, Faith, Confession, etc.., but what burst my little bubble was the listing of baptism as a requirement. Immediately, as you could guess, I realized that my old friend was a member of the Church of Christ. If you are reading this and you belong to the COC I feel that you should know this post is not advocating what you believe as a requirement for salvation. As a minister and a student of the word of God, I place handling and the treatment of God's word on the top shelf. The Scriptures teach that those who teach the word of God will be held to a different standard than those who do not. Why is that? Its because the misuse and misinterpretation of God's word is not only bad hermeneutics, and not it is heaping a pile of hot coals on your own head, but it misrepresents what is absolute truth.

I realize there are many passages in scripture that don't rest in the black and white areas. We could play a theological ping pong match with the Armenian vs. Calvinism debate, wether or not Jesus went to hell for 3 days, Christ's impeccability and with eschatology, but baptism is fairly cut and dry. 

Since this is a blog and not a book, I don't have a lot of time to straighten out all the scriptures that the COC has distorted and taken out of context, but I will deal with a few issues.

Although the COC do not have many scriptures to support their heresy, there are a few that give more trouble than others. One of the more popular scriptures used is 1 Peter 3:21, which says, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God." 

The Church of Christ would say this means that the WORK (for we are not saved by works) of baptism plays a salvific role in our over all salvation. This is a classic example of first, taking scripture out of context and second, extremely poor hermeneutics. 

Lets deal with the words used in the text first. The word baptism (greek = bapteesma) means immersion, which can be an immersion by spirit or by water (consider this in context when reading other COC writings on baptism). The word "saves"  (greek = soezeye) in this text means to rescue or to save. 

There are two important observations that must be taken. First, we observe it from a historical standpoint. The verse directly in The in front of V. 21 says, "In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water". Obviously, Peter is talking about God graciously sparing the lives of Noah and his family. Although the water was, in and of itself destructive, Noah and his family floated on top and lived. Moreover, Noah and his family went into the ark and left behind a world of iniquity. Therefore, the waters saved them. Peters uses the flood to represent baptism and baptism to characterizes salvation. 

The next observation is to look at the text as symbolic. Peter said, "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you". "Noah's deliverance through the waters of the flood is seen as a prefiguration and type of the saving event of baptism". The nature of baptism is symbolic, not salvific. The flood waters cleansed the earth of man's wickedness, so the water of baptism indicates man's cleansing from sin. Baptism is seen as a counterpart to the flood. Peter uses baptism here to symbolize a life that has been regenerated by a gracious work of God and not man. 

Finally, just a reminder; Paul wrote, in 1 Corinthians 1:17a, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel".  If baptism were essential for salvation, don't you think that the apostle Paul would've included that little nugget in his letter to the church of Corinth? Instead, he makes a point to say that he didn't come to preach baptism. Moreover, he said that Christ sent him to preach something that wasn't baptism. The issue is this; baptism is a work. If works can save you, than that not only contradicts God's holy, inherent and infallible word, but it also reduces the work of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Woe to you Church of Christ. Repent.

Thanks to Simon J. Kistemaker for his insight from his commentary on 1 Peter.

my joy & my thorn

I don't know why I do it! I am somewhat of a youtube and facebook junky. I'm quite certain that most of you who have enough cyber savvy to find this little blog can identify with what I'm talking about. Don't get me wrong, I am immensely grateful for both of them, however, my problems begin when I take time to actually read the comments that are left on youtube and the profile details that are created on facebook. You can learn a lot about someone if you just read what they write. 

As a minister I enjoy watching religious debates on youtube. Its fun to watch James White (a noted theologian) debate the Roman Catholic Church's religious leaders on the subject of Sola Scriptura. True, White does seem to sufficiently take them to task with each rebuttal, however, I still enjoy the intellectual tennis match and the effort expressed to defend each others beliefs. What I don't enjoy, are those who like to comment and express their own unintelligence. Listen, I've once heard it said that, "its better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." Wow! Now, thats some profound truth. The problem is that very few practice this. Instead, they put their own 2 cents in (and its not enough that much) and basically place ignorance on display like its a painting hanging on the walls of the Louvre in Paris. Of course a name is not signed to it. The cyber world has given us the chance to hide ignorance behind anonymity.  

My other thorn is with profiles on facebook. I will spend the next blog going further in to this, but I only have time to chip away at the unsightly growths that are on the surface. Here's a word to the wise. If you are of a particular denominational persuasion and find it your intention to advertise your zeal; KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS!!!! If what I am saying, describes you, hear this from my heart to yours; zeal without knowledge is recklessness. The Word of God is not a book of lunacy, its the book of life. God will not tolerate anyone who mishandles His word. There are thousands of books that give as many different interpretations to the Scriptures, but there can only be one meaning. I will unpack this with some specifics soon. Stay tuned as I stew over them for a couple of days. God bless and preach the word.

The Quest for Holiness Part I

I'm back!!! I understand that its been a really long time, but I've come to find out that blogging for me is a seasonal activity. However, I have once again found some inner determination to start blogging again, so without further delay, here we are.

Recently, I've found myself enamored with the not so casual concept of God's holiness. I'll let that notion sink in for a moment...................Ready? Ok. I have found myself reading books and coming across countless scriptures that elevate the "otherness" of God. I don't know how God works in your life, but for some reason He likes to take a concept/attribute/characteristic of Himself and decides to poor it over me for a season. Don't get me wrong, I love it and appreciate the fact that God is doing things so that I will learn more about Him, but its been somewhat of a sensory overload. Its not just the fact that He's holy (like no other/separate), but its the full extent of that implication. 

 God is so holy, that the OT writers would use LORD (all caps) as the name of God (Jahweh) and use Lord (adonai; Sovereign One) as a title for God. For example, George Bush is the name of our current president, but President is George Bushes title. 

The terms in the Bible for God were used the same way. Have you ever noticed that in Psalms chapter 8 and verse 1 it reads: "O LORD our Lord,"? The actual translation would be "OH GOD OUR SOVEREIGN ONE."  The very name of God is holy in and of itself. It is so holy that they Jews wouldn't even say His name. This has been called the Tetragrammaton (the unspeakable four letters). This all applies to the name of God, much less the actual person of God. God Himself is the epitome of Holiness. He can be likened to no one or no thing in all of creation and yet He's knowable. He shares communicable attributes with humanity rendering them made in His image. So, here's the question: Where does God fall on our reverence scale? Does His holy being dictate the journey of your life? Its just some food for thought...

Passion or partial?

Its interesting to me when I hear someone talking about their passions. I think that word gets used a lot without considering the implications that it carries. The problem is when someone says, "I am passionate about this or that",  but that "passion" yields no fruit. Its one thing to enjoy or to be somewhat invested in something, but to be passionate enters into an entirely different ball park. True passion yields results. You can say all day long that I am passionate about things, but unless they compel you to act, than I'm not convinced. I am passionate about good hygiene; therefore, I take showers and brush my teeth daily. I could never claim to be passionate about that which I am not acting on; Unless, of course, I say that I am passionate about lethargic slothful passivism.

 I am passionate about having a healthy relationship to my wife; so, I work to maintain an open line of communication and I spend great effort to enjoy her and our marriage. Could you imagine someone walking up to you dressed in some scantly clad outfit and trying to persuade you of their passion for modesty. That would be absurd! My question for you, reader, is this; what are you passionate about? 

Would you dare to say that you are passionate about evangelism? If so, are you out seeking the lost and giving them the gospel? Would you dare say that you are passionate about missions? If so, when is the last mission trip you went on (stateside or international)? Perhaps you would say that your passion is the infallible Word of God. If so, how has His word impacted your life and what books are you reading that heavily outweigh the time you spend in God's word? This has all been weighing heavily on my heart lately as I have been teaching through the Doctrine of God's Word. If we, at the risk of sounding cliche, say that we are so passionate about the things of God, than shouldn't that "passion" yield fruit? It MUST! Perhaps some of us should simply say I'm not passionate about spiritual things, but It sure interests me from time to time. At least that would be sincere. But, to say that I am passionate about God, evangelism, missions, the Church and His Word without fruit to back it up, is simply a lie.

 I am not accusing anyone other than myself. You might say that I am passionate about false passions. I have been convicted and challenged, yet again by God's word, to live as though I'm more than just interested in God from time to time. Hopefully, this has been whatever its needed to be for you. God bless.

Baby Days

It was just little less than a week ago when I woke up to hear my wife saying, "Alan, I think its time". I wish I could describe the feelings that where swimming through the currents of my groggy (having been woken up) brain. It wasn't quite how I expected myself to respond. I didn't run around like a chicken with my head cut off or anything; probably because Sarah was calm about everything. We gathered everything together and made our way toward the hospital to begin a journey that I will not soon forget. It wasn't long before the contractions ensued and my wife began her own little journey through the catacombs of pain. However, God bless a little medicinal treat called epidural. It wasn't long before Sarah took up new residence in a land called la la. 

After a days worth of labor, the time had come to bring Wesley into this little world. The next two hours would prove to me that my wife is one tough cookie. No screaming, no shouting, just a little grimacing and then he was here. Finally, after great anticipation, my first born son is here. Waves of emotion swept through my entire being. In moments, I experienced an endless array of feelings. I was happy, afraid, concerned, overwhelmed, proud and anxious. Its incredible at how my entire existence has changed. In a few short hours I went from a family of two to a family of 3. I HAVE A SON!!! 

For years I never imaged taking care of a little human being that was utterly dependent on me and my wife. Not just dependent on some things, but everything; and the only way he can communicate his needs is to scream. Its funny how things like poopie and spit-up suddenly are cute instead of gross when its coming from a baby. Why its called spit-up instead of vomit?; I have no clue. In addition to that, its ok that Wesley goes through about 8 changes of clothes a day, but if I wear more than two, I get scolded. Yeah, babies have it made. 

Wesley's been home now for four days and we're finally getting into what we feel is a good routine. Because Sarah is breast feeding I really can't do much in that area, but I try to offer help in anyway I can when she's feeding. Sometimes, I bring my computer in there so that she can watch a movie during the hour he feeds or I just lay in the floor and keep her company until she's done so that I can hold him again. Anyway, there's not a lot to say because he's only been with us for 4 days, but I'll keep you posted as time progresses. Please pray that God gives us wisdom to lead as godly parents would and that Christ would be honored in our decisions and leadership. God bless.

Street Witnessing

I don't know if any of you are familiar with "Way of the Master Ministries", but it is lead by Kirk Cameron (child star from "growing pains") and evangelist Ray Comfort. The whole ministry is street evangelism using God's law (Ten Commandments) as the tool. Watch this video and see this teenage boy's countenance drop to the floor when he realizes his own guilt.

Christians in the UFC

In the last several years the Ultimate Fighting Championship has hit the scene with force that seems to be potentially unstoppable. During the early 90's the UFC, which is mixed martial arts fighting (MMA), was banned throughout most of the country. In fact it was on the precipice of extinction. Why, you ask? I suppose the problem was the fact that it was brutal. Many nay sayers attributed the UFC with being the human version of cock fighting. True, it is not for the faint of heart, then again neither is football, kickboxing, bull riding or any other of the countless sporting events that are hazardess to your health. 

Allow me to briefly explain for those  of you who are unaware of the sport. MMA is basically taking many forms of martial arts and combining them in an arena that allows you to strategically use them offensively and defensively to defeat the opposition. Such martial arts include: Kickboxing, jujitsu, wrestling, boxing and etc... These forms of martial arts include submissions and ground and pound tactics, which is where, for most, the brutality comes in. The entire point of the fight is to win by whatever means necessary. This might include submitting the opponent, or nocking the opponent unconscious. Many times the fight comes to a judges decision based on the points that were earned by striking during the match. For better or for worse this is the concept. 

     Having followed the UFC for a number of years now I've come to know a lot of the fighters in all the classes. Of course I don't know them personally, however, you see someone so much on television you feel like you know them right? Anyway, every now and then there is a fighter who professes to be a Christian. I don't mean they make a reference to thanking God after a fight, but that they really act like  Christ followers and conduct themselves, through word and deed, as a Christian would. 

I would like to hear some feedback from you as to how you feel about Christians being in the UFC. Should Christians get in the octagon and beat each other to a pulp as an occupation. Does God call Christians to fighting occupations to be Salt and Light? Consider this and please respond with your convictions or support.