4/18/22

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/068-OneLord.html

“One Lord, one faith, one baptism”
(Ephesians 4:5).

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

There is one Lord.

A lord is someone who has authority over others. Who is the one Lord? Jesus Christ “is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). He once asked His hearers: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). After His resurrection Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). The Father is also Lord: “The Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Revelation 19:6). And “The Lord is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Since there is one Lord and all three are called “Lord”, the one Lord with authority over all men is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

To be the one body, the church of Christ, and to have the one faith, we must submit to the authority of the one Lord who through the Scriptures has made the gospel known to all nations: “now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith” (Romans 16:26).

There is one faith.

The one faith is “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1), “the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27), “the faith of God’s elect” (Titus 1:1), the faith we obey (Acts 6:71), the faith in which we remain “grounded and steadfast” (Colossians 1:232), the faith in which we are “strengthened” (Acts 16:5), the faith in which we are “rooted and built up in Him and established” (Colossians 2:7), the faith in which we “stand fast” (1 Corinthians 16:13), the faith in which we have unity (Ephesians 4:13), “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” and for which we “contend earnestly”! (Jude 1:3).

Sadly, there are thousands of false faiths in this world, fake faiths of human origin.

But there is only one genuine faith, the faith of the church of Christ, also called the doctrine of Christ. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Paul warned: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). We may not deviate from the one faith.

There is one baptism.

The one baptism (and the only valid baptism), is the baptism of the one faith, the baptism authorized by the one Lord and practiced by the one body, the church of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Sadly, there are many false forms of baptism practiced by false faiths. Any form of baptism that is different from the one baptism of the one faith is not valid because it is not performed by the authority of the one Lord.

Millions think they have been baptized when they have not been baptized. They have been deceived by Satan. He wants people to think they are saved when they have not been saved because their baptism was not the one baptism authorized by the one Lord.

Infant baptism, for example, is not the one baptism because it is not based on the faith of the one being baptized. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

The one baptism is a burial, an immersion in water. The Ethiopian eunuch confessed his faith and was baptized in water: “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-39).

The one baptism is a burial in water that unites us with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus: “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” (Romans 6:3-6).

The one baptism is an immersion in water, but not every immersion is the one baptism. Immersion as practiced by Baptists, Evangelicals and Pentecostals, for example, is not the one baptism because they do not baptize “for the remission of sins” and they do not believe that the “gift of the Holy Spirit” is received at baptism. Their form of baptism conflicts with the command of Peter: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). They reject baptism as the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:4-7) and deny that one must be born of both water and Spirit to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). They also do not baptize into the one body, the church of Christ, as designated by Paul: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

All forms of baptism that differ from the one baptism, are not valid because they are not part of the one faith and do not occur in submission to the one Lord.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Let us be certain that we submit to the one Lord, that our faith is the one faith, and that our baptism is the one baptism. Amen.
Roy Davison

Endnotes:


1 See also Romans 1:5; 16:26

2 See also Acts 14:22

The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise. Permission for reference use has been granted.

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

"CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH" Traditionalism by Mark Copeland

 








https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/challenges-confronting-the-church/ccc_06.html

"CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH"

Traditionalism

INTRODUCTION
  1. In previous lessons, we examined the challenges of...
    1. Denominationalism
    2. Sectarianism
    3. Factionalism
  2. Another challenge that has a long history is traditionalism...
    1. Jesus often conflicted with traditions in His day
    2. Traditions have often been a major factor in causing division among churches

[What are traditions? Are traditions always wrong? If not, when does a tradition become wrong? How can we be guilty of traditionalism? Let's begin with...]

  1. THE MEANING OF TRADITION
    1. TRADITION...
      1. The Greek word is paradosis, which means "giving over" or "handing down"
      2. It refers to teaching that is handed down either by word (orally) or in writing
    2. AS UNDERSTOOD BY THE JEWS...
      1. It applied to the oral teachings of the elders (distinguished elders from Moses on down)
      2. These traditions were often divided into three classes...
        1. Oral laws supposedly given by Moses in addition to the written laws
        2. Decisions of various judges which became precedents in judicial matters
        3. Interpretations of highly respected rabbis held in reverence along with the OT scriptures
        -- Article on "Tradition", ISBE
      3. Prior to his conversion, Paul was a staunch supporter of Jewish tradition - Ga 1:13-14
    3. AS UNDERSTOOD BY ROMAN AND GREEK CATHOLICS...
      1. Their views appear to be parallel to that of the Jews
      2. What they consider "Tradition" is what they believe to be the teachings:
        1. Of Jesus or His apostles, persevered orally rather than through writing
        2. Of various church councils which have left various decrees
        3. Of various church leaders (such as the pope) considered to be inspired with later revelations from God
      3. One is expected to take their word for it that these "traditions" were truly from God and have been faithfully transmitted
    4. AS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES...
      1. The word "tradition" as such is not found in the Old Testament
      2. It is found thirteen (13) times in New Testament
        1. Three times referring to "apostolic teaching" - 1Co 11:2; 2Th 2:15; 3:6
        2. Ten times referring to "the tradition of the elders" or "the traditions of men" in a dangerous way - Mk 7:3-13; Mt 15:2-6; Col 2:8; 1Pe 1:18; Ga 1:14
      3. Jesus did not feel bound to abide by "the traditions of the elders"
        1. Some traditions He had no problem with keeping
          1. Such as going to a wedding feast - Jn 2:1-2
          2. Or attending the Feast Of Dedication - Jn 10:22-23
        2. He just as easily had no problem with violating other traditions
          1. Plucking grain on the Sabbath - Mk 2:23-28
          2. Eating with unwashed hands - Mk 7:1-5
      4. Jesus evidently did not subscribe to the view of "traditions" handed down orally
        1. He never appealed to the traditions of the elders
        2. He either appealed to the authority of the written Word (the Law of Moses), or to His own authority as the Son of God
      5. Note well: We have seen that not all "traditions" are wrong
        1. If they are "handed down" by inspired men, they are to be heeded - 2Th 2:15
        2. If they are doctrines or interpretations handed down by uninspired men (like the traditions of the Jews) they are suspect
        3. But in some cases uninspired "traditions of men" might be observed

        [So traditions of men can be dangerous, or they can be harmless. How can we distinguish between those that are dangerous and those that are harmless? In Mk 7:1-13, Jesus provides the answer...]

  2. THE DANGER OF TRADITIONS OF MEN
    1. THEY CAN LEAD TO HYPOCRITICAL WORSHIP...
      1. Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (just look at the rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural basis)
      2. Such ritualism is often done repeatedly, with little thought as to its origin and purpose
      3. It is easy to go through such rituals, with the heart and mind on other things
      4. Worship without the heart (or mind) of man is hypocritical worship! - Mk 7:6
    2. THEY CAN LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP...
      1. When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the commands of God, it leads to vain worship - Mk 7:7
      2. Such worship may appear to be impressive, but it in actually "empty, worthless"
        1. First, because God did not command it
        2. Second, because it does not accomplish the good we really need - cf. Col 2:18-23
    3. THEY CAN MAKE THE WORD OF GOD VOID...
      1. Jesus gave the example of honoring one's parents - Mk 7:10-12
        1. The elders' tradition taught giving to the temple freed one from giving to one's parents
        2. Thus rendering the command of God of no effect
      2. There are traditions of men today with similar affect
        1. Such as the practice of sprinkling for baptism, a tradition of man
        2. When one keeps the tradition of sprinkling, they make the command of God to be baptized (immersed) of no effect!
      3. Through such traditions, one is actually rejecting the command of God! - Mk 7:8-9,13

      [With this understanding of traditions and their dangers, let's now summarize...]

  3. TRADITIONS AND TRADITIONALISM: A SUMMARY
    1. TRADITIONS...
      1. Traditions of God, handed down by Christ and His apostles through the Written Word, are necessary for our salvation!
      2. Traditions of men, handed down by uninspired men, are dangerous and sinful, when they:
        1. Lead to hypocritical worship
        2. Lead to vain worship
        3. Make the Word of God void
      3. Traditions of men can be harmless, but they become sinful if they:
        1. Are taught as doctrines (i.e., equivalent to the Word of God) - Mk 7:7
        2. Make the commandments of God of no effect (by their observance) - Mk 7:9,13
    2. TRADITIONALISM...
      1. Defined: the systematic emphasis on the value of tradition - Wikipedia
      2. Exemplified by Jewish, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Protestant religions
      3. But can also be manifested in churches of Christ
        1. Doing things a certain way, just because that is how it has always been done
        2. Binding practices without scriptural basis, because we've always done it that way
CONCLUSION
  1. Traditionalism can be viewed as the abuse of tradition...
    1. Where traditions of men are bound, made equivalent to the traditions of God
    2. Where traditions of men are kept, even if it makes the commands of God of no effect
  2. To avoid traditionalism, we need to be well grounded in the Word of God...
    1. By which we can examine any tradition being proposed as necessary
    2. Asking as Jesus did, "From heaven, or from men?" - cf. Mt 21:25
    3. Careful not to bind where God has not bound

So many of the differences and divisions between churches today are due to traditionalism with its abuse of traditions. Let's be careful not to allow traditionalism to keep us from working together in love and unity...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022

Upcoming by Gary Rose

 


This picture says to me: Something IS COMING. I am unsure as to what it is, but it IS SIGNIFICANT. And it evokes more of a feeling than anything else. There is a great deal going on in the world today and very little of it is good. We live in very dangerous times, with evil progressing from bad to worse and recently morphing into the realm of unbelievable. For only the second time in my life, I can realistically envision the possibility of thermonuclear war. I was about twelve during the Cuban missile crisis and I still remember the reaction of my fellow passengers on the school bus when the transistor radio announcement was made that there might be a nuclear exchange. And the word for that was… PANIC. Now, all the kids on the bus knew that there could be a war because we had been practiced protecting ourselves from a nuclear blast by hiding underneath our school desks, but when that announcement came, some kids screamed and kept on screaming. Like I said… PANIC.


Sixty some years later, here we go again, with a mad-man governing Russia and committing atrocities in Ukraine that rival Adolph Hitler’s inhumanity during the second world war. Putin may really be considering the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, or it may just be political drama, misinformation or something else, but something dramatic is going to happen there and soon. How do I know? Instinct, that gut feeling you get when you just know something and you really don’t know how or why.


Having said all this, I feel that before ( or perhaps during ) a nuclear holocaust, Christ will come and make his power and glory manifest to the world. Again, how do I know? Same answer as before- a gut feeling.

The Bible says…


1 Thessalonians 4 ( World English Bible )

13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,

17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.


If you are a Christian, you have hope and the comfort that whatever happens, Jesus will be there for you. So, let come what may, Jesus of Nazareth, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS will overcome all evil and rule forever! BELIEVE THIS, FOR IT IS TRUE!!

Maranatha 

( come, O LORD ) used in 1 Corinthians 16:22