Month August 2020

6 More simple objections pt6; The Jailer is just told to believe.

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Philippian Jailer Story of Salvation – The Afton Wesleyan Church

SIMPLE OBJECTION #6; ‘The Jailer in Acts 16 was just told to believe. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [Acts 16:30]

The Objection goes like this: “This is the only time in scripture that someone asks the question, ‘what must I do to be saved?’ He was told to just ‘believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’ Therefore, the way to be saved is by faith only.” We answer this simple objection by just looking at the text.

JESUS was unknown to him. Was this pagan Jailer in a position at that moment to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? No, he would have to be taught Who, how, and what to believe. He still needed to hear. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” [Romans 10:17]

He ASKED how to be saved. He recognizes action upon his part. If the error about miraculous drawing to God is true, wouldn’t his response be different? The error claims that man can do nothing on his own! He asks what to DO! “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” [Romans 10:16]

He is INFORMED about who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke records: “they spoke the word of the Lord to him” [Acts 16:32]. They preached Jesus to him which is the Gospel [cr. Acts 8:35-36]. The urgency is present, for all of this took place the same hour of the night which is just past midnight [v25].

He LISTENED to the Gospel. If John 20:30-31 & Romans 10:17 can be trusted, the words that Paul & Silas told the Jailer were sufficient to generate faith in him. Those same words preaching Jesus certainly included the information about repentance & baptism [cr. Acts 8:34-36] for how else did he know to wash their stripes and be baptized ‘the same hour of the night?” [Acts 16:33]

He EXPEDITIOUSLY OBEYED the Gospel. The Gospel is the Death, Burial & Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see the Jailer doing exactly that, obeying the gospel having HEARD, BELIEVED, REPENTED, CONFESSING (inferred) and being BAPTIZED. [cr. 1Cor 15:1-4; Rom 6:3-4; 10:9]. The Jailer did it the SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT! He didn’t wait until morning or until any monthly scheduling of group baptisms. If baptism is not essential to salvation, why the urgency? In Acts 8, why stop the chariot?

He REJOICED after he repented (washed their stripes) and was baptized. It was only AFTER the Jailer had heard, believed, repented and was baptized that he was able to REJOICE having believed in God. It is clear that belief & obedience truly are connected [Rom 10:16]. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” [Matt 7:24ff]

A careful examination of the context shows us that the Jailer obeyed the Gospel. When you add with this account the other accounts of those being saved in the book of Acts you will find a complete picture about how to be saved.

6 MORE simple objections pt5; It doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized.’

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Mark 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he ...

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #5; It doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized.’

The Objection goes like this: “If baptism was important, how come Jesus didn’t say, ‘and is NOT baptized’ in the second part of Mark 16:16. If both parts are not present in the second half, then the part omitted is unnecessary.”

This falls under the silly category, not just the simple. Yet, I was given this objection recently in an online discussion. NO, the second part of verse 16 doesn’t say, ‘and is not baptized,’ and it doesn’t need to. The second part is contingent upon the completion of the first part. Look at the following illustration.

OMISSION of the second part is completely logical without the presence of the first part. “He that has food & eats it shall be nourished. But he that does not have food will perish.” If you don’t have the 1st part, the second part avails you nothing.

When you TAKE AWAY any part you won’t be saved. The person without belief is condemned already. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” [John 3:18] “Without faith it’s impossible to please God.” [Heb 11:6]

6 More Simple Objections pt4; What if I’m in a desert?

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What Really Turned the Sahara Desert From a Green Oasis Into a ...

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #4; What if you’re in a DESERT?

I heard his objection and the next one just this week in my public evangelism. They really are being used. An associate pastor [I don’t know what an associate pastor is] said, ‘What if you’re in a desert and want to be baptized, then what?” I replied, ‘Let me show you a bible passage.’ He ignored me and walked away. Folks, these are not straw man arguments, they are being used by error to justify disobedience to God. Let’s reason together and learn how to answer them.

The Objection goes like this: “Baptism isn’t required because if a believer was in a desert or on a battlefield, they would not be able to be baptized.” These kinds of “what if” arguments prove nothing and don’t change what God has said. They actually lead to error, ie, Sprinkling instead of immersion. God can extend mercy as He sees fit however, we are not God and only know what God has revealed to us. [Deut 29:29]

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

[1Thess 5:21]

DON’T GO beyond the word of the Lord. I cannot go beyond or below the word of the Lord. Consider carefully these passages about adding to or taking away from God’s word.

  • Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. [Deut 4:2]
  • What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. [Deut 12:32]
  • For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [Rev 22:18]
  • Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. [Prov 30:6]

EXCLUDING one command that saves EXCLUDES them all. What saves us? Look at the chart on the last page. All of these are essential.

SALVATION is at the place God puts it. Forgiveness is at faithful baptism. God drew the line of salvation at baptism. We’re not the final judge. All we can say is that such a person does not have a Biblical hope of salvation.

  • And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. [Acts 22:16]
  • Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [Acts 2:38]
  • He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark 16:16]
  • The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1Peter 3:21]
  • And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [Acts 8:36]

EXCEPTIONS come from God, not man. God gave the children of Israel an exception to the Passover timing [Num 9:9-13]. God gave it, not man. We cannot go beyond the word of the Lord to do good or to do evil. [Mat 7:21-23] It’s presumptuous to speak where God is silent. “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” [Deu 18:20] While we have no authority for stoning law breakers, the principle still applies. God makes the rules. [cf. 2Timothy 2:5] There are no exceptions to baptism.

REPLACING commands of God has been tried & failed. Naaman tried that. [2Kings 5:1-14]. A key verse: “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” [v13]

TURNING AWAY from the command of God is rebellion & blasphemous. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.” [1Sam 15:23; John 12:42; 6:66]

This objection leaves us to wonder if it’s really about ability or willingness.

–Spencer

6 More Simple Objections pt3; What if I die on the way to baptism?

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Apologetics Press - Do We Die to Sin Before Baptism or In Baptism?

 

SIMPLE OBJECTION #3; What if someone dies on the way to be baptized?

The Objection goes like this: “What if a person believes in Jesus and is saved, but on the way to be baptized they are killed before they can be baptized? I think God will save them because they were actively seeking to do the will of God.”

How to Answer: The first thing to note is that a usual part of this objection is the line, ‘they are saved after believing.’ There is no salvation by faith alone. It’s a subtle twist in the objection, so be sure you note it and correct it. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” [Mark 16:16]

Once that is addressed, you can move on to answer the main objection. What if I die GOING to the water?

First, remind them of GOD’S PLAN. We don’t get our authority through ‘I think, my opinion’ etc. The Bible states that we must first believe the Gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God, repent from our sins and to be baptized for the remission of our sins:

  • “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
  • “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).
  • “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:47).

Repent means to turn away from your sins. Remission means forgiveness.

Next, the objection stands if you can find just ONE PERSON who doesn’t need to be baptized. If so, then nobody needs be baptized. They want the made-up exception to be the rule. We have no authority to make exceptions to God’s commands.

IMMEDIACY is seen in the text. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16; cr. Acts 16:33).

NOBODY is saved until they obey the Gospel. [2Thess 1:8; Rom 10:16-17]. Believers Baptized in water is the dividing line.

GOD KNOWS the end from the beginning. If questions will lead to every kind of disobedience. Here’s one, what if a person is on the way & will hear the Gospel and would have believed, but dies before hearing? I’ve had folks tell me the person would be saved! That means they’re saved before BELIEF! This is an egregious error based on ‘what if’ scenarios. ‘What If’ questions have no part in determining authority. The Word from God written in His scripture is our source for information. [Col 3:16]

Now, what does baptism represent? It represents Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection: “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.” (Rom 6:3-6). [cr. Col 2:12; Acts 8:35-37; Acts 22:16; Gal 3:27]

 

–Spencer

7 Ideas for the aged facing BOREDOM

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Gratitude by Jack Garren

 

Far too often the retired Christian faces Boredom & Loneliness in their final years. This need not be. While your body & mind may not be what it once was, you can still be very fruitful for the causes of the Lord.

 

“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”

[Psalm 92:14]

7 Ideas for the aged (or young) Christian facing BOREDOM:

B– BIBLE STUDY & Teaching. Titus 2:2-3
O– OTHERS who are bored & need company. Jas 1:27
R– RECORD lessons for your posterity. Prov 31:1
E– EVANGELISM. 1Cor 9:19-23
D– DEVOTIONALS w/ Family. Eph 6:1-4; 1Tim 5:10,14
O– OLD Age Wise. Psalm 92:14
M– MAKE something to share, give, encourage. Heb 10:24

What is the church of Christ?

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Continue in the LORD Daily!! | Kristi Ann's Haven

 

What is the “church of Christ?”

The word “church” means the “called out ones.” The church is composed of those who have been “called out” of the world by the Gospel unto Christ (2 Thess. 2:14). Thus, these “called out ones” are simply Christians trying to be just what the followers of Christ were in New Testament times (1 Thess. 1:5-6).

In New Testament times, each local congregation of God’s people was a church of Christ. For example, there was a church of Christ at Philippi, a church of Christ at Corinth, a church of Christ at Jerusalem, etc. (Phil. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 8:1; Romans 16:16).

What We Are

The Saved – The church is the saved (Eph. 5:23). The church is NOT the Savior; Jesus is. The church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head (Eph.1:22-23). ALL who believe in Jesus, repent of their sins, and are baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of sins are saved (Mark 16:16); that is, they are “added to the church” by the Lord (Acts 2:38, 41, 47). The church at Samaria consisted of the saved, those who had believed and been baptized after hearing the things concerning the kingdom of God (i.e., the church of God), and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:5, 12).


Subject to Christ – Jesus is “the head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:24). We have no synods or conventions to guide us. We are not part of any amalgamation or association of churches. We are subject only to the authority of Christ (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17).


What We Are NOT:

A Denomination – We are not associated or affiliated with denominationalism. The creeds of denominations are foreign to the Bible teaching on Christ’s church. The only church founded by God is the one mentioned in the Bible (Matt. 16:18).

 Catholic or Protestant – We are not a Catholic Church. We honor and revere no man or human authority such as the Pope (Matt. 28:18). We are not a “Protestant” church in the popular sense. We “protest” sin, false doctrine, ungodliness, and immortality, but we are not allied with Protestant denominationalism. Catholics and Protestants are not referred to in the scriptures; Christians are (Acts 11:26).


A Social Club – The church was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). The Son of God did not die for a social organization, but for a “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). We are not a glorified social center. We are the church. We worship God “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), not by fun, food, and frolic (Romans 14:17).

Why the Name “church of Christ“?

In New Testament times, the church was called: 

“the church” (Acts 2:47; 5:11; 8:1)
“the church of God” (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Tim. 3:15)
“the body of Christ” (Col. 1:24; Eph. 4:12)
“the churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16)
“the church of the first-born” (Hebrews 12:23)

 Since Christ…

Christ Promised to build His church. Mat 16:18

Christ died for the church. Eph 5:25

Christ purchased the church with His blood. Acts 20:28

Christ is the Head of the church, which is His body. Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23.

Christ is the savior of the body, which is His church. Eph 5:25.

Wouldn’t the most accurate & scriptural designation be ‘the church of Christ?’

 

Individual members of the church were called:

“Disciples” (Acts 11:26)
“Saints” (Romans 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2)
“Brethren” (1 Cor. 1:10; Gal. 6:1)
“Christians” (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16)

Whatever we do in word or deed must be by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17). Jesus Christ is the only creed of the church (Matthew 16:16-17). Anything more or less is of human origin (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

As Christians, How Do We Worship The Lord?

The New Testament says, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, the same hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Christians must conduct worship consisting only of those elements found in the New Testament church (John 4:24).

These are:

Prayer (Acts 2:42)

Singing (Colossians 3:16)

Gospel preaching or teaching (Acts 20:7)

Observing the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26; Acts 20:7)

Contributing of our means (1 Cor. 16:1-2) for the work of the church (Eph. 4:12)

All of these actions of worship are privileges of the members of the Lord’s church and in no way will be forced upon our visitors.

How Can You Tell If a Congregation Is of Christ?

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free…” (John 8:31-32; cf. 13:34-35).

We live in a world where there are hundreds of different kinds of so-called churches, all of them differing in name, creed, and in practice: And yet many of them claim to be Christian and headed by Christ. How can one be sure which church, creed, or practice is what Jesus wants and which is of man? Answer: By examining what is taught and practiced against the only standard available – GOD’S WORD (1 John 4:1).

How Does One Become a Member of the church of Christ?

The Lord adds to the church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47). One does not “join” the church. To be saved, one must do the will of God, as expressed by the New Testament (Matthew 7:21).

For the sinner to be saved he must:

HEAR the Gospel (Rom. 10:17)

BELIEVE in Jesus (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6)

REPENT of their sins – a change of mind involving action (Acts 17:30-31; 26:20)

CONFESS faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10)

Be BAPTIZED for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)

People are saved and added to the Lord’s church today in the same manner that they were in New Testament times (1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:47).
Please contact us with your comments or questions.

 

originally posted at: http://www.trustingodamerica.com/churchBrief.htm

6 more simple objections pt2 What’s in the water?

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Charts by Don McClain Prepared April 23-25, 2015 / Preached April 26, 2015 West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 1900...

 

6 more SIMPLE OBJECTION #2; What happens when you’re under the water at baptism?

The Objection goes like this: “What’s in the Water?” They mostly ask this in a mocking tone as if we believe in ‘magic water.’ This seldom is asked seeking an answer. Let’s answer this question without the mockery in which it is asked.

WATER has been in God’s word for a long time. Noah was saved by Water. Peter says in his 1st letter, “eight souls were saved by water.” [3:20]. He uses that example to explain that Water Baptism saves us. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” [21]

At another place, Naaman was told to dip (be baptized) in water to rid himself leprosy. [2King 5:9-14] According to the Holy Spirit through Paul, Moses & Israel were baptized by the waters of the Red sea; “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” [1Cor 10:2] These are just 3 examples of many. People that reject water baptism are rejecting God’s use of water throughout scripture.

ACTIVE FAITH is in the water. Submission to God’s commands is in the water. Paul said, “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” [Acts 26:19] What did Paul (then called Saul) obey? He was BAPTIZED. [Acts 22:16] James chapter 2 clearly shows that faith is active & obedient.

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” [2:24]

TRUSTING faith is in the Water. We trust that God cleanses us of sins & saves us in the water. We can’t do it; we submit through faith.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” [Col 2:12. emph mine seb] That phrase, ‘the operation of God’ is showing that God is doing the work while we are faithfully submitting to His will to repent & be baptized. [Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16] Trusting Faith is in the water.

ENTRANCE into the church is in the water. Jesus is the savior of the church (His body). [Eph 5:23; 1:22-23; Col 1:18]

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” [Acts 2:41]

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” [Acts 2:47]

 

This is not local church membership as some have supposed. Water Baptism is when GOD adds to the universal church of Christ. Denominational baptism is not God’s baptism.

 

RESURRECTION to newness of life can only occur after Death, Burial & Baptism into water. Salvation occurs upon faithful baptism. [Acts 2:41; 16:30-34] Baptism is obedience to the Gospel. Jesus will take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel [2Thess 1:8-9]. How does one obey the gospel? Since the gospel is the Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus [1Cor 15:1-4], It harmonizes that water baptism is Death to sin, a Burial and Resurrection to walk in newness of life. [Rom 6:3-4]

Sprinkling or pouring are not emblematic of a burial. [Col 2:12]

 

–Spencer