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 continued a series answering some of the false doctrines taught on baptism. We are going to continue that series this week as well. We will find that God has authorized water baptism in the New Testament and prove that it is required for those accountable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Baptism is Authorized by Command, Approved Example, and Necessary Inference (Implication)
It has been assumed, and even written, that baptism by way of immersion is not the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5. Normally, those who assume that doctrinal position believe that the baptism which saves is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, we find one text wherein it is clear that this is not the case. This context shows water baptism to be a command from God. (Acts 10:47-48) “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Why was Holy Spirit baptism not sufficient? Holly Spirit baptism was not sufficient to save because Jesus commanded man to be born of the water (John 3:5).
Water baptism is proven to be a requirement by God through many examples in the New Testament. Jesus, who was without sin to be remitted (I Peter 2:21-22), even gave us His example of being baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). The Apostle Paul would certainly be a fitting example of one being baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 9:1-20; 22:5-16). As was shown in the first article of this series, Paul was not the only conversion example in the book of Acts wherein the need to be baptized in water was shown (Acts 2:37-41, Acts 8:4-13, Acts 8:26-39, Acts 9:1-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 16:13-15, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 18:8, and Acts 19:1-7).
Notice some inferences we must see about baptism in the Bible. First of all, one must believe and be baptized (Mark 16:15-16), not just be baptized alone. Therefore, we have a necessary inference that infants need not be baptized because they cannot hear, understand, or believe. Secondly, baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). To sin one must know right from wrong (James 4:17) and violate the word of the Lord (I John 3:4). Because a young child does not know right from wrong, we infer that they are not in sin and therefore they need not be baptized. As a conclusion to these points we infer that God demands those of an accountable age and understanding to be baptized for the remission of their sins. This reveals, through the above implications, the candidates for water baptism. Those who sin are separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and are outside of Christ.
To Be “In Christ”
Not many, that I am aware of, have claimed
a hold on Christianity and taught that one could be saved outside of Christ.
The Bible teaches that one becomes “in Christ” through baptism (Galatians
3:27). The Bible teaches that Christ is the only way to Heaven (John
14:6 and Acts 4:10-12). For someone to conclude that baptism is not
essential unto salvation is for someone to remove Christ from God’s plan
of redemption. However, Christ has always been the main part of God’s
plan for redemption: (I Peter 1:18-21) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your
vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that
raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope
might be in God.” All spiritual blessings are in Christ, not outside
of Christ: (Ephesians 1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
places in Christ.” Next week we will conclude this series of
articles by examining Acts 2:38.
Quick
NotesThose Serving Today:
Announcements – Brian Yeager
A.M. Song Leader – Mike Lockwood
Lord’s Table – George Papp
Assisting – Terry Nannie and young Jay
Wagner
First Prayer – Serg. Imbarlina
Closing Prayer – Steve Burgoon
Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Joan Croyle, Marie Glunt (a friend of
the Papp’s who is suffering from cancer), and Valarie Johnson who is suffering
from sinus problems that may result in surgery.
Gospel Meeting:
Our meeting begins today with Terry and
Bill speaking and goes through Thursday. Everyone needs to support
this meeting with your prayers, invitations for others to come, and your
attendance.