8/25/21

Where Was God in Newtown, Connecticut? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1589

Where Was God in Newtown, Connecticut?

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

The events that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 are, in every sense of the word, tragic. A gunman named Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children, six adults, himself and his mother in one of the most deadly school shootings in U.S. history. As is always the case when tragedies like this occur, various people and groups use the events to propel their agendas. In the past several decades, the atheistic community has used occurrences like this as “evidence” that a loving God does not exist. These atheistic writers and speakers contend that if there is a loving God, He would never allow a person to shoot 20 innocent children in cold blood. If there is a loving God, they claim, He would stop such a brutal killing. Since He did not stop it, either He does not have the power to stop it, or He is not a loving God who cares for innocent children. Either way, they suggest, the concept of a loving, all-powerful God such as the one portrayed in the Bible cannot exist in the face of such senseless brutality. “If there is a loving God, where was He on December 14, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut?” they demand. What can the Christian say in response to such reasoning?

Evil Did Occur—Which Proves Atheism Cannot be Right

It is a fact that the actions of the gunman were evil. He should not have killed 27 people and himself. Virtually every person who hears an account of his actions rightly understands that what he did was horribly wrong and evil. Yet, in a world without God, there is no way to contend that what he did was evil. Atheist Frederick Nietzsche understood this perfectly. He wrote: “We believe that severity, violence, slavery, danger in the street and in the heart, secrecy, stoicism, tempter’s art and devilry of ever kind—that everything wicked, terrible, tyrannical, predatory, and serpentine in man, serves as well for the elevation of the human species as its opposite” (2007, p. 35). You see, if humans are merely the product of mindless, random, naturalistic processes over millions of years, then how can any person claim to know that Adam Lanza did something evil. From where would the concept of evil originate if nature were all there is or was?

 Charles Darwin was fully aware of the implications of atheism and godlessness. He wrote: “A man who has no assured and ever present belief in the existence of a personal God or of a future existence with retribution and reward, can have for his rule of life, as far as I can see, only to follow those impulses and instincts with are the strongest or which seem to him the best ones (1958, p. 94). Thus, if there really is no God, then Adam Lanza was simply following the instincts and impulses that seemed the strongest to him. If other products of natural processes (humans) do not like what he did, they cannot say it was evil, or wrong, all they would be able to say is that they do not have those same instincts or impulses. And yet, the truth of the matter is, something evil, wicked, and wrong did occur. If that is true, there must be a God.

In a very famous statement, C.S. Lewis captured this thought perfectly when he wrote:

My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust...? Of course, I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too—for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies. Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist—in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice—was full of sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple (Lewis, 1952, pp. 45-46, italics in orig.)

If something that was, in fact, evil, took place in Newtown on December 14, 2012, then there must be a God.

But What About the Children?

Once we establish the fact that the existence of evil does not militate against God’s existence, but actually establishes it, there is still the emotional question of how God could allow innocent children to die. In fact, it is often the case that atheists will attempt to draw attention away from the rational side of the discussion and argue from pure emotion. “How could a loving God let innocent children die?” they insist. Their contention is that God has, in some way, wronged the innocent children. Their allegation fails, however, when we understand the true nature of what has happened.

The Bible repeatedly stresses the idea that physical death is not complete loss, and can actually be beneficial to the one who dies. The Bible explains that every person has a soul that will live forever, long after physical life on this Earth is over (Matthew 25:46). The Bible consistently states the fact that the immortal soul of each individual is of much more value than that individual’s physical life on this Earth. Jesus Christ said: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

Although the skeptic might object, and claim that an answer from the Bible is not acceptable, such an objection falls flat for one primary reason: the skeptic used the Bible to formulate his own argument. Where is it written that God is love? In the Bible, in such passages as 1 John 4:8. Where do we learn that God is all-powerful? Once again, that information comes directly from the Bible, read Genesis 17:1. Where, then, should we look for an answer to this alleged moral dilemma? The answer should be: the Bible. If the alleged problem is formulated from biblical testimony, then the Bible should be given the opportunity to explain itself. As long as the skeptic uses the Bible to formulate the problem, we certainly can use the Bible to solve the problem. One primary facet of the biblical solution is that every human has an immortal soul that is of inestimable value.

With the value of the soul in mind, let us examine several verses that prove that physical death is not necessarily evil. In a letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul wrote from prison to encourage the Christians in the city of Philippi. His letter was filled with hope and encouragement, but it was also tinted with some very pertinent comments about the way Paul and God view death. In Philippians 1:21-23, Paul wrote: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (emp. added).Paul, a faithful Christian, said that death was a welcome visitor. In fact, Paul said that the end of his physical life on this Earth would be “far better” than its continuation. For Paul, as well as for any faithful Christian, the cessation of physical life is not loss, but gain. Such would apply to innocent children as well, since they are in a safe condition and go to paradise when they die (see Butt, 2003).

Other verses in the Bible show that the loss of physical life is not inherently evil. The prophet Isaiah concisely summarized the situation when he was inspired to write: “The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness” (57:1-2, emp. added). Isaiah recognized that people would view the death of the righteous incorrectly. He plainly stated that this incorrect view of death was due to the fact that most people do not think about the fact that when a righteous or innocent person dies, that person is “taken away from evil,” and enters “into peace.”

The psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Death is not inherently evil. In fact, the Bible indicates that death can be great gain in which a righteous person is taken away from evil and allowed to enter peace and rest. God looks upon the death of His faithful followers as precious. Skeptics who charge God with wickedness because He has allowed the physical lives of innocent babies to be ended are in error. They refuse to recognize the reality of the immortal soul. Instead of the death of innocent children being an evil thing, it is often a blessing for that child to be taken away from a life of hardship and evil influence at the hands of a sinful society, and ushered into a paradise of peace and rest. In order for a skeptic to legitimately charge God with cruelty, the skeptic must prove that there is no immortal soul, and that physical life is the only reality—neither of which the skeptic can do. Failure to acknowledge the reality of the soul and the spiritual realm will always result in a distorted view of the nature of God. “The righteous perishes…while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil.”

What Should We Do?

Our hearts are breaking for those in Newtown who have suffered such tragic loss. No words can adequately describe such emotional pain. But instead of allowing the skeptical community to use the evil actions of Adam Lanza to push people into the despair of atheism and unbelief, we should use this opportunity to encourage those in Newtown, and worldwide, to seek their God and Creator in times of trouble. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinthian: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). What can atheism tell the survivors?—that nothing evil was really done, and that their precious children have simply ceased to exist. Oh, how desperate. But what can Christianity offer those who mourn? We can acknowledge that evil was done, that innocent children were killed, but that their immortal souls are in paradise with their Creator. And that God offers all who will obey Him the opportunity to live forever. Thus, parents can be reunited with their children when the fleeting years of this brief earthly life are past. God, the God of all comfort, is the only One who can offer any hope or consolation in such a tragedy.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2003), “Do Babies Go to Hell When They Die?” Apologetics Press, http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=1201.

Darwin, Charles (1958), The Autobiography of Charles Darwin, ed. Nora Barlow (New York: W.W. Norton).

Lewis, C.S. (1952), Mere Christianity (New York: Simon and Schuster).

Nietzsche, Friedrich (2007), Beyond Good and Evil, http://books.google.com/books?id=BAz7fkKhu30C&dq=%22We+believe+that+severity,+violence%22&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0.

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" Fruit-Bearing Discipleship (15:8)

 








"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

Fruit-Bearing Discipleship (15:8)

INTRODUCTION
  1. What does the Lord desire of His disciples...?
    1. Surely He desires their heart (faith) - He 11:6; Jn 8:24
    2. But He also desires their hands (works) - Lk 6:46
  2. Works are an important part of our discipleship...
    1. We are created in Christ for this very purpose - Ep 2:10
    2. By them we glorify God - Mt 5:16; Jn 15:8

[Good works are an indication of "bearing fruit" as disciples of Christ. As we focus our attention on the theme of "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship", let me reiterate that...]

  1. BEARING FRUIT IS NECESSARY TO BEING A DISCIPLE
    1. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
      1. Glorifying God by bearing fruit is a mark of discipleship - Jn 15:8
      2. Disciples have been "appointed" to bear fruit - Jn 15:16
    2. OTHERWISE WE ARE CUT OFF...
      1. From Christ, the true vine, and His Father as the vine dresser - Jn 15:1
      2. As branches that no longer bear fruit - Jn 15:2
      3. Whose end is to burned - Jn 15:6; cf. He 6:7-8

      [The end of unfruitful disciples is dreadful to contemplate. Like the Hebrew writer (He 6:9), I wish to be more confident of better things regarding our discipleship. We can be, by remembering that...]

  2. BEARING FRUIT IS CONTINGENT ON ABIDING IN CHRIST
    1. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS...
      1. We must abide in Him, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself - Jn 15:4
      2. Abiding in him, we bear much fruit; without Him we can do nothing Jn15:5
      3. As confessed by Paul in Php 4:13; 2Co 3:5
    2. HOW WE CAN ABIDE IN CHRIST...
      1. First, by putting Him on in baptism - Ga 3:27
      2. Then, by abiding in His love through keeping His commandments - Jn 15:9-10; cf. Jn 14:15,21-23

      [To be a disciple, we must bear fruit. To bear fruit, we must abide in Christ. To abide in Christ, we must keep His commandments. But what kind of fruits will disciples bear...?]

  3. BEARING FRUIT IS MANIFESTED IN VARIOUS WAYS
    1. WINNING SOULS TO CHRIST...
      1. As expressed by Paul in his desire to go to Rome - Ro 1:13
      2. Disciples creating more disciples is a natural indication of bearing fruit - cf. Mt 28:19-20
    2. SHARING WITH THOSE IN NEED...
      1. As explained by Paul in describing the contribution to poor saints - Ro 15:25-28
      2. Which was evidence of God's grace at work in the givers - cf. 2Co 8:1-2; 9:12-14
    3. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER...
      1. Indicating that one is walking in the Spirit - Ga 5:16,22-23
      2. Evidence that is diligent in growing the true knowledge of Jesus - 2Pe 1:5-8
    4. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS...
      1. The fruit of our lips in praise and prayer are spiritual sacrifices - He 13:15
      2. Which we are to offer continually - He 13:15

      [As we bear fruit in these different ways, we not only glorify God and prove to be fruitful disciples, we also experience the "abundant" life of which Jesus speaks (Jn 10:10)...]

  4. BEARING FRUIT LEADS TO THE FULFILLED LIFE
    1. WINNING SOULS PRODUCES JOY...
      1. As Paul found to be case with the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:19-20
      2. As John realized with his "children" - 3Jn 4
      -- One reason many Christians do not live a life of joy is that they never bear fruit in leading others to Christ!
    2. SHARING WITH OTHERS PRODUCES HAPPINESS...
      1. Those who give are "blessed" - Ac 20:35
      2. The word "blessed" can be translated "happy"
      -- If Christians are so materialistic and selfish that they do not share, they will never know the blessedness of giving!
    3. DEVELOPING CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER PRODUCES ASSURANCE...
      1. Growing in the true knowledge of Christ ensures an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord - 2Pe 1:8-11
      2. Developing a Christ-like love gives assurance of one's discipleship and salvation - Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 3:14,18-19
      -- Many Christians have no assurance; and no wonder, if their character remains unchanged as evidenced by little love for the brethren!
    4. PRAISING GOD AND GIVING THANKS PRODUCES PEACE...
      1. Prayer is the antidote for anxiety - Php 4:6
      2. For in response to prayer God will guard our hearts through His peace Php 4:7
      -- Failing to bear much fruit in regards to prayer, Christians will be filled with anxious lives, not abundant living!
CONCLUSION
  1. Why is "Fruit-Bearing Discipleship" so important...?
    1. It is necessary to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ
    2. It is necessary to be a fulfilled disciple of Jesus Christ
  2. If you desire to be both a faithful and fulfilled disciple of Jesus...
    1. Abide in Him by keeping His commands
    2. Produce fruit that glorifies His Father "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (Jn 15:8)

If you are not yet a disciple of Jesus, then let His own words lead you to become one - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2021
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Word of the Week: Free by –Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

 
 

 https://thepreachersword.com/2017/07/03/word-of-the-week-free/#more-10910

Word of the Week: Free

On Liberty Island in New York City Harbor stands the colossal Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. It’s an imposing, inspiring sight. The statue itself is 151′ tall and from its base to the torch measures 305′.

The statue has become an icon of freedom, both for American citizens and for immigrants arriving on our shores through Ellis Island. Engraved on the tablet are these words written by poet Emma Lazarus in 1883.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Those who settled on our shores craved freedom. They desired to be free from tyranny. Free to worship. Free to pursue one’s dreams. Free to work. To earn. To own. And free to enjoy the fruit of one’s labors.

The spirit of American freedom is captured in part by Lee Greenwood’s stirring song, “I’m proud to be an American”

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I’d worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife

I’d thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can’t take that away

And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free

However, Johann von Goethe’s words come to mind who wrote, “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” Goethe’s pertinent observation perfectly captures the sad plight of many Americans today.

No, I’m not talking about governmental intrusion in our lives. Or strangling over-regulation of small businesses. Or racial or social inequality. Or even the current debate on immigration.

No, there is an enslavement more serious. A servitude more grievous. A captivity with greater consequences.

It is slavery to sin.

The wise man wrote “The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast (Prov. 5:22).

The Psalmist put this way, “The wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands” (Ps 9:16)

Righteous Job also spoke of the plight of the wicked when he opined, “For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walks into a snare” (Job 18:8).

Ironically, in the “land of the free” many citizens are enslaved by addictions. Lusts. Greed. Power. Possessions. And pleasure. Others are ensnared by false religion. Fanciful ideologies. And faulty, flawed philosophies.

Jesus promised, “You shall know the Truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32

In Romans chapter 5 and 6 Paul argues that God has provided the “free gift” of His grace through Jesus Christ. Through his sacrificial death of the cross, we can “be set free from sin” and free to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives that come with a relationship with God.

To be spiritually free is to be liberated from nagging guilt. A pained conscience. A troubled mind. An aimless wandering. And emotional baggage.

And so, on the eve of the 241st birthday of America, you can thank God for your political, social, economic and personal freedom. But, if you’re a Christian, you can be grateful for an even greater freedom, the spiritual freedom in Jesus.

If you’re not a Christian, in the words of hymn writer Lewis Ellis Jones, “Would you be free from your burden of sin? “There’s power in the blood.” “There is wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

IMMERSED---SPRINKLED---POURED BY STEVE FINNELL

 

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/09/

IMMERSED---SPRINKLED---POURED  BY STEVE FINNELL


Does the word baptized have multiple meanings? Is it possible and, or, credible to define the word baptized as 1. immersed 2. sprinkled 3. poured? How would that work as a practicable application?

Baptize, baptized, and baptism are all define as immersion, immersed, plunged or dipped.

Can the words immersed, sprinkled, and poured be used interchangeably in place of baptized, baptism, and baptizing? No they cannot, because they are not the same word. They are not equal in meaning. They not by definition identical. They are not synonymous words.

A COMPARISON OF THESE SO-CALLED INTERCHANGEABLE WORDS.

 SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

COMPARISON 1: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be immersed by him.

COMPARISON 2: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be sprinkled by him.

COMPARISON 3: Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be poured by him.

Interchangeable? You make the call.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Romans 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death.......

COMPARISON 1: Therefore we have been buried with him through immersion into death......

COMPARISON 2: Therefore we have been buried with him through sprinkling into death.......

COMPARISON 3: Therefore we have been buried with him through pouring into death.......

Can you really be buried through pouring or sprinkling? They are not equal to immersion.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: John 3:23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized---

COMPARISON 1: John also was immersing in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being immersed---

COMPARISON 2: John also was sprinkling in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being sprinkled---

COMPARISON 3: John also was pouring in Aenon near Salim,because there was much water there; and people were coming and being poured---

Did John need much water for pouring and sprinkling? Are the three words really synonymous? No, they are not.

SCRIPTURE QUOTE: Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raise up with Him through faith in the working of God.....

COMPARISON 1: having been buried with Him in immersion, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God.....

COMPARISON 2: having been buried with Him in sprinkling, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God.....

COMPARISON 3: having been buried with Him in pouring, in which you were raised up with Him through the working of God....

Immersion, sprinkling and pouring, are they interchangeable, are they identical, are they equal, are they the same, are they synonymous? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

BAPTIZE MEANS TO IMMERSE. THERE ARE NOT MODES OF BAPTISM, THERE IS JUST BAPTISM. TO BAPTIZE IN WATER MEANS TO IMMERSE, PLUNGE,
 DIP, SUBMERGE.

The word baptized in most Bible translations is a transliteration.

Transliterate Defined: to change letters, words, etc. into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

The following are two translations that translate as opposed to transliterate.

Mark 16:16 Whoever trusts and is immersed will be saved; whoever does not trust will be condemned. (CJB-Complete Jewish Bible)

Mark 16:16 He who has believed, and has been immersed, will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (The Better Version of The New Testament by Chester Estes)

The is one modes of baptism. That being immersion.

There are no translations that translate  Mark 16:16 as---  sprinkled or poured.  

Chapter 10 WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? Commentary by C.A. Feenstra

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Feenstra/C/A/1931/ch10.html

Chapter 10

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that God is sovereign and that He controls and rules over all the affairs of men?

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Gen. 1:1

"Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all." Psalm 103:19

"Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever." Ex. 15:18

"Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Jehovah, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all; and in thy hand is power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." 1 Chron. 29:11-12

"And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Dan. 4:34-35

Q. If God is sovereign, does man have the right to make and to choose the conditions for his own salvation from sin?

Q. If God is sovereign, must man to be saved, subject himself to the conditions plainly outlined by this sovereign God in His WORD?

Q. Does man have the right to teach that man is born too totally depraved to obey the conditions of salvation given by the sovereign God in His WORD?

Q. What are the conditions of salvation given by the sovereign God in His WORD?

"Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people." Acts 3:22-23

"God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son." Heb. 1:1-2

"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5

"And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matt. 28:18-19

"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9


"Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31

"Repent ye therefore ... that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19

"With the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:10b

"Be baptized, and wash away thy sins." Acts 22:16

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Rev. 2:10

Q. Can we understand from these five scriptures that there are five ways for man to be saved?

Q. Is the way of salvation "multiple choice"?

Q. Does man have the right to choose one of these or any combination of these, as the way in which he wishes to be saved?

Q. Is any one of these more important than any other?

Q. Is the person who says that he is saved by "faith only", any more saved than a person who would say that he is saved by "baptism only"?

* * *

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4

"Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son." II John 9

Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that a man, to be saved, must have a good and honest heart and a love for truth?

"The seed is the word of God...
And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:11, 15

"Them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." II Thess. 2:10

"Jesus therefore said...
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 3:31, 32

"Thy word is truth..." John 17:17

* * *

Q. How many times in GOD'S WORD is the all important question, "What must I do to be saved?" asked and answered?

"What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (the rich young ruler) Matt. 19:16

"What must I do to be saved?" (the Philippian jailor) Acts 16:30

"What shall we do?" (the men on Pentecost) Acts 2:37

"What shall I do, Lord?" (Saul of Tarsus) Acts 22:10

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when persons living under the law of Moses asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer were they given?

"And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he (Jesus) said unto him ... if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 19:16-19

Q. Did Jesus himself also live under and keep the law of Moses?

"But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal. 4:4

* * *

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when a heathen unbeliever who had never before heard of Jesus and His gospel, asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer was he given?

"And he (the Philippian jailor) called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. Acts 16:29-34

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when men who had been made believers by hearing the gospel preached, asked, What must we do to be saved?, what answer were they given?

"Now when they (the men on Pentecost) heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:37-38

"They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls ... And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved." Acts 2:41, 47

"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12

Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when a man who had been made a repentant believer asked, What must I do to be saved?, what answer was he given?

"And I (Saul) said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do." Acts 22:10

"And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. ...
And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. ...
And the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:5-6, 9, 11
"And he (Ananias) said ... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." Acts 22:14,16

Examples of Conversion from GOD'S WORD
PreachingBelievedRepentedConfessedBaptizedSaved
Pentecost
Acts 2:14-41

repent
v 37-38

baptized
v 38, 41
remission of sins,
saved v 38, 47
Samaritans
Acts 8:5-13
believed
12


baptized
12-13

The eunuch
Acts 8:35-39
believed
36-37

confessed
37
baptized
38-39
rejoiced
39
Saul
Acts 22:14-16



baptized
9:18
sins washed away
22:16
Cornelius
Acts 10:34-48
believed
43


baptized
48
remissions of sins
43
The jailor
Acts 16:30-34
believed
31


baptized
33
rejoiced
34
Lydia
Acts 16:13-15



baptized
15

Corinthians
Acts 18:8
believed
8


baptized
8

Hearing
Rom. 10:14, 17
Faith
Heb. 11:6
Repentance
Lk. 13:4
Confession
Rom. 10:10
Baptism
Gal. 3:27
Salvation
II Tim. 2:10

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Peace by Gary Rose

 



This dog ( quite possibly a Golden Retriever ) looks as content as content can be. So content in fact, that it can let a butterfly rest on its nose. And where does that contentment come from? My guess is that it comes from the presence of its master, on whose leg it is leaning upon.


During the past week or so, we have been hearing of practically nothing but the situation in Afghanistan. Due to the ineptitude of our “Commander-in-chief” many lives are in danger, for the situation may turn from dangerous to disastrous, very, very soon. Our citizens there may be taken hostage ( possibly by the thousands ), tortured, or killed. From past history of their handing of captives, it is possible that they may die a gruesome death.


All these things are unsettling to say the least. However, for those of us who are Christians, even the worst death imaginable is not the end, but rather a beginning. Then I remembered the following passage from the book of John…


John 14 ( American Standard Version [1901] )

1, Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

2, In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4, And whither I go, ye know the way.

5, Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?

6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Today, I chose the A.S.V. because somehow its translation seemed to emphasize the meaning of John in a most elegant manner, and amid turmoil, a little elegance goes a long way.


You know, regardless of the circumstances- Jesus is always the answer. Who he is and what he has done for us is comforting- whatever the situation.


Again, that picture comes to mind. There is peace as long as our master is nearby. Come to think of it, I found myself thinking of the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and thought you might like to listen to it.

Here is the link…

https://www.barnold.us/Garyrose/CBR%202.0/4%20Aids/5%20Singing/Congregational%20Singing/Leaning%20on%20the%20Everlasting%20Arms.mp3


or, if you prefer, in quartet format, with sheet music..

https://www.barnold.us/Garyrose/CBR%202.0/4%20Aids/5%20Singing/A%20Cappella%20Videos/Leaning%20on%20the%20Everlasting%20Arms%20-%20A%20Cappella%20Hymn-lneA46frKT4-248+251.webm


Just paste either link into your browser, listen, and may you have peace and encouragement in these trying times!