A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
In last week’s bulletin article we began a series answering some of the false doctrines taught on baptism. We are going to continue that series this week as well. There are so many who have studied the Bible with the aim to remove water from God’s plan of redemption. As we will find, there is no dry cleaning plan set forth in the Bible.
Yet, Another Passage Taken Out of Context
“The preaching of the apostles does not demonstrate that baptism is a necessary condition for salvation. Paul in fact drew a clear distinction between the preaching of the gospel and baptism when he said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." (I Cor 1:17)." (1)Just as we examined the context of Acts 16:31ff. in examination of a contextual error, we will examine I Corinthians 1:10ff. to see yet another contextual error. In the first chapter of I Corinthians Paul was correcting those who were wearing the name of the one who baptized them. He said previous to I Corinthians 1:17 these words: (I Corinthians 1:14-16) “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.” Was Paul thankful that he did not baptize all of those in Corinth because baptism was not required? NO! He answered why in verse fifteen: “Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.” So, the question is begging to be answered. Did Paul baptize folks he taught? Certainly he did. Notice the account in Acts 19:1-7 wherein the text says: (v. 4-5) “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Some might argue that Paul baptized them with the Spirit, but the very next verse (v. 6) shows that the Holy Spirit was given AFTER the act of water baptism.
Why did Paul baptize those whom he taught that were willing to submit? Because, when someone is taught and they respond to that teaching they are baptized BEFORE they are saved. Notice the following two scripture references: Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Mark 16:15-16 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus did not say belief + nothing = being saved. He said faith + baptism = salvation. He commanded that we teach and baptize. Neither faith nor baptism alone equate to being saved. As a matter of fact there is more stated throughout the New Testament than faith and baptism that saves an individual.
One must hear the gospel of Christ to have faith (Romans 10:17). One must repent of their sins prior to conversion (Acts 3:19). One must confess Christ before being saved (Romans 10:10). It would be correct to say that faith saves us, or that repentance saves us, or that confession saves us, or that baptism saves us. However, to claim that any of the prescribed acts alone saves us is false. One must be willing to come to a complete conclusion of God’s plan of redemption, not just singling out one aspect and settling there like that is all that God had to say on the matter.
In our third article of this series we will deal with the fact that baptism is shown to be required by way of direct command, approved example, and necessary implication. We will conclude with a forth article detailing what is taught in Acts 2:38 in regards to baptism. [TO BE CONTINUED IN THE BULLETIN NEXT WEEK].
Endnotes
(1) Johnson, Keith; “WATER
BAPTISM AND SALVATION: A Response to the Teaching of the Church of Christ”;
http://www.acns.com/~mm9n/Baptism/D6.htm
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Kathren Lucas (in KY visiting her daughter),
Mike Lockwood is in Washington, the Graham’s are traveling, Joan Croyle,
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s also suffering from cancer), and Valarie
Johnson who is suffering from sinus problems that may result in surgery.
Great News!:
Serg and Nancy notified the congregation
last week of their desire to identify themselves with the brethren here!
Serg’s (and soon to be Nancy’s) home phone number is *************** for
you to add to your address books.
Gospel Meeting / Door Knocking:
Keep our meeting scheduled for May 4th
– May 8th in your prayers. Invite folks and hand out the flyers that
are in the back of the auditorium on the table. If you are able to
door knock see the schedule hanging on the bulletin board.