As we have seen in the lecture "What does it mean to be born again?",
spiritual regeneration does not come at the moment of baptism. Rather,
it happens when we acknowledge and accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ,
and personally submit to the will of God (1 Peter 4:2). Faith brings
regeneration by the Holy Spirit and also causes the Holy Spirit to
indwell us.
"Of his own will He begot us with the word of truth, that we should be
a kind of firstfruits of his creations." - James 1:18
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
- Galatians 3:14
I haven't found anything in the Bible, that allows the interpretation
that we are regenerated through the sacrament of baptism in itself. It
is true that immediately after the Lord Jesus was baptised, the Holy
Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:16). It seems
clear that it had to be a sign of the Father's favour to those who saw
it, since surely our Lord as both God and man had to have the Spirit in
Him even before baptism. We read in the Gospel according to Luke that he
was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-35).
Also it is believed by many sacramental/liturgical churches and others,
that infant baptism brings salvation from the Original Sin. The Holy
Scriptures say however, that the blood of Christ gives salvation from
sin, original and personal (Revelation 1:5), not the baptism.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from
all sin." - 1 John 1:7
Baptism means to ask a pure conscience from God (1 Peter 3:21), that is
its' "sacramental" dimension. But the actual baptism is more of an
outward sign of the salvation already achieved through the Holy Spirit
as a gift from God which comes to us by faith (Ephesians 2:8).
Accordingly then, baptism is an act of obedience to God. As a person
becomes a child of God, he or she will have the desire to keep God's
commandments out of love and appreciation (John 14:15).
It is written:
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous." - 1 John 5:3
It is a clear commandment of the Lord Jesus, that we baptise believers:
"Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:19-20
So it seems obvious that the person who takes Jesus as his or her
personal saviour, ought to have an appreciative and obedient heart, by
the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus one will seek to do the Lord's will.
As we read in the Scriptures, baptism is one such commandment directly
from the Lord. Even though baptism itself does not bring the salvation,
it is neverthless taught by the Lord that we should be baptised and so
the actual baptism is a sign and testimony of our salvation, both to
ourselves and to the world and even to the powers of darkness (Mark 16:16)!
It is promised that doing God's will brings also His blessing
(Revelation 22:14). And to the born again son or daughter of God, it is
natural to want to please our heavenly Father. Obedience itself is the
most valuable blessing.
To summarize some of the fundamental benefits of baptism, they are:
- Pure conscience which God gives us (through the faith in Jesus, which
includes keeping his commandments, baptism being one of them) (1 Peter 3:21)
- Joy which is given by the Holy Spirit for following God's ordinaces
(Romans 15:13)
- Knowledge that we are saved which thus becomes more affirmed, since it
is written so (Mark 16:16)
Let us then briefly examine some of the "symbolism" in baptism.
Simultaneously it raises the question of the form of the baptism - is it
by sprinkling or pouring or rather by immersion.
It is written in the Scriptures about the meaning of baptism:
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through
the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead." -
Colossians 2:12
It is clear from the above Scriptures, that this symbolism can be
properly achieved only by immersion in water - symbolizing our old self
buried in Christ's death - and raising from the water - symbolizing
regeneration in the new life in Christ and promise of the resurrection
to immortality. Also, it is interesting to note, that all the baptisms
of the New Testament were done in the water, not only with the water.
"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was
much water there: and they came, and were baptized." - John 3:23 (Note:
why baptize there, if only a mug full of water would be sufficient?)
"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water..." - Matthew 3:16a (Note: Jesus came out of the water, it was no
pouring or sprinkling)
"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? - -
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
caught away Philip..." - Acts 8:36,39a (Note: they came to the spot of
natural water, a pond perhaps. They *came out of the water*)
There are also ample evidences that the original Greek word used in the
New Testament for baptism, that is "baptizoo", means "to dip in", "to
immerse". It is easy to find more information about the exegesis and
linguistic evidence, if you do not find this sufficient evidence.
Should we then baptize infant children? Scripture says about baptism:
"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and women." - Acts 8:12 (Note: the people heard and obviously
understood the Gospel of the Kingdom, and then they were baptized.
Little children do not yet understand the Gospel)
"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes
not shall be damned." - Mark 16:16 (Note: this Scripture shows us that
faith has to precede the baptism. Also we see that baptism gives us the
assurance of salvation)
"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
(Note: Is an infant child gladly receiving the word?)
Infants are saved by the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is
sufficient to save the world from the punisment due to the Original Sin
(Revelation 1:5). Also, little children have not yet commited any
personal sins which need to be reconciled with God.
"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and
his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he
was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." -
Mark 10:13-14
More so, as Christians we can have even greater assurance that our
little children are saved through our faith, since it written:
"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children
unclean; but now are they holy." - 1 Corinthians 7:14
Dear brother or sister in Christ. If you have been "Christened" as a
child, please consider the Scriptures given above and search your Bible
about the topic. Read the Acts of the Apostles with a pure heart and
then say you do not need to be immersed, have a Biblical baptism.
Yes, you are right, salvation does not come from works; not by our act
of baptism or that we should "play" God by "saving" children by baptism.
The writer of this lecture has had many spiritual benefits and Joy of
the Spirit after having Biblical baptism by immersion, after first
becoming a child of God, adopted to the household of God, family of
kings and priests of our God. Examine this issue from your Bible and ask
the Lord that He may enlighten your path. If you become aware of the
true joy which comes from obedience, you will be glad to get baptized!
(If you wish to be baptized you may contact me and I can baptize you
without forcing you to join any church, sect or denomination, or I will
help you to find such Born Again, Bible-believing brother who will
perform this for you. For free of course)
torstai, 15. huhtikuuta 2010
lauantai, 10. huhtikuuta 2010
What does it mean to be holy?
As the Lord's elect, the Church, or the Ecclesia (called-out ones) are set apart from the world and sin. The very word "kadosh" in Hebrew, which is translated holy, means "set-apart". Jesus himself said:
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:48
Of course we cannot become sinless and thus perfect in every sense of the word. That is why we have to examine what are the pre-requisites of becoming holy in the eyes of God. This subject is very closely linked to the whole of salvation. First step to holiness is to become righteous. This is recorded in the Scripture:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" - Romans 1:16a
Thus God saves us trough our faith in Jesus Christ. He sees us holy, because Jesus was holy and sinless.
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" - Philippians 2:8
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" - Romans 4:12
How can we achieve this position in the eyes of God? How can we take Jesus? Bible tells us:
"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature" - Romans 13:14
It is clear that we must clothe ourselves with Lord Jesus. This is not merely calling Him Lord and claiming namely His Lordship. As He himself declared:
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." - John 14:21
It is not about our fleshly strenght that we can obey God's commandments, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We receive this power, when we are Born Again. Even so, we have to choose obeying, instead of rebellion. But the power by which this is achieved is given by God.
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." - James 1:21
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." - 1.Thessalonians 4:7-8
It is a testimony of the Holy Spirit in us, that the commandments of God are not burden for us. As New Creatures, we desire to do God's will willingly, out of love. This is said also in the Scripture:
"I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees." - Psalm 119:47-48
It is an outward sign of testimony about us being saved, when we delight in the LORD's statutes and keep them. Jesus said that they become to us a Law of Love. Thus the world knows we are Lord's, when they see we are holy, set-apart from the world. No longer does the flesh rule over us!
"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:5-6
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35
"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:48
Of course we cannot become sinless and thus perfect in every sense of the word. That is why we have to examine what are the pre-requisites of becoming holy in the eyes of God. This subject is very closely linked to the whole of salvation. First step to holiness is to become righteous. This is recorded in the Scripture:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" - Romans 1:16a
Thus God saves us trough our faith in Jesus Christ. He sees us holy, because Jesus was holy and sinless.
"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" - Philippians 2:8
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" - Romans 4:12
How can we achieve this position in the eyes of God? How can we take Jesus? Bible tells us:
"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature" - Romans 13:14
It is clear that we must clothe ourselves with Lord Jesus. This is not merely calling Him Lord and claiming namely His Lordship. As He himself declared:
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." - John 14:21
It is not about our fleshly strenght that we can obey God's commandments, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We receive this power, when we are Born Again. Even so, we have to choose obeying, instead of rebellion. But the power by which this is achieved is given by God.
"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." - James 1:21
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." - 1.Thessalonians 4:7-8
It is a testimony of the Holy Spirit in us, that the commandments of God are not burden for us. As New Creatures, we desire to do God's will willingly, out of love. This is said also in the Scripture:
"I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees." - Psalm 119:47-48
It is an outward sign of testimony about us being saved, when we delight in the LORD's statutes and keep them. Jesus said that they become to us a Law of Love. Thus the world knows we are Lord's, when they see we are holy, set-apart from the world. No longer does the flesh rule over us!
"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." - Romans 7:5-6
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35
torstai, 8. huhtikuuta 2010
What does it mean to be Born Again?
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3
Here Jesus was speaking to the pharisee named Nicodemus. These words of the Lord Jesus are quite clear. However the interpretation of the issue in Scriptures is varied. As the true seeker seeks the real truth, instead of picking doctrine there, abandoning one here, one of the honest heart ought to seek the God's truth.
The issue of Christian Rebirth should not be taken lightly, as we read the Lord's words. To be born again means to be assured the enterence and inheritance of the Kingdom of God. It is written:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." - Romans 8:15-17.
Thus we are assured by the Living Spirit of God, who dwells in us, that we are the children of God, when we have been saved, we have taken Jesus Christ as our Savior and given our whole life totally to God. It is also, as we read, the testimony of the Scripture.
How then, is one born again? Some say that it happens when the priest sprinkles water three times to the forehead of baby child. But that custom tends to give suggestion that it is up to parents and priests to assure one of spiritual rebirth. It may even bring people to false sense of being under the mercy of God. Lord said:
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.- - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 7:17,20-21
So, if the sprinkling of babies brings the assurance of salvation, then most of the people even today in Christian world ought to bear good fruit. Is it so? What do we see in news? Prisons and brothels are full of people who have been baptized as a child. Does their behavior testify they have been Born Again from above? Surely not. True and genuine rebirth includes things and brings the fruit which is written by St. Paul:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
How then do we achieve this? Is this salvation by works?
The real and factual event of Rebirth takes place, when one truly takes Jesus for his or her personal savior. This includes, as I wrote before, that we give the fullness of ourselves to the LORD. Accepting the atoning work of Christ as a substitute Lamb for our sins makes us righteous before the eyes of God the Father. Thus we also receive the Holy Spirit, when we take Jesus.
Rebirth is "from above", it is the miraculous work of God and not of man. We cannot choose to be born again, but ought to expect it, if we give ourselves to Him. God makes us New Men. St.Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, made it very clear that it is not something we can achieve through rituals.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."
- Galatians 6:15
Let us now consider what else Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:5-6
Now, those who over-emphasize the sacramentalism may say that here Jesus clearly institutes the sacrament of baptism, by which the rebirth occurs. The context and the whole of the Bible does not allow this kind of interpretation. Jesus also said, as written down by the same apostle John:
"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." - John 4:10
Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan woman, who was did not yet believe in Him. Thus he used the symbolism of water as that of the truth about salvation trough Him. Jesus is giving us the Living Water, the faith which brings the Spirit of God also to us. Thus it seems preferable that one takes the Christian water baptism after he or she has been Born Again. Thus it is an outward sing of the fact one is already saved, and gives assurance of that. This does not diminish the true sacramental value of baptism, but this has to be made clear in whole other study.
Now, to summarize the work of the Lord, who gives the salvation to us as a free gift, which we can take or abandon let us read:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12,13.
By the will of God, we are born again and can call God Abba, our Father. In perfect love there's no fear, like St. John wrote later on. We are New Creatures in Christ. Thus we are His joint-heirs waiting to receive from Him all which He has. This includes a new body at the Day of His Coming (1.Co.15.). This is beautiful and joyful hope of the true Christians.
Here Jesus was speaking to the pharisee named Nicodemus. These words of the Lord Jesus are quite clear. However the interpretation of the issue in Scriptures is varied. As the true seeker seeks the real truth, instead of picking doctrine there, abandoning one here, one of the honest heart ought to seek the God's truth.
The issue of Christian Rebirth should not be taken lightly, as we read the Lord's words. To be born again means to be assured the enterence and inheritance of the Kingdom of God. It is written:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." - Romans 8:15-17.
Thus we are assured by the Living Spirit of God, who dwells in us, that we are the children of God, when we have been saved, we have taken Jesus Christ as our Savior and given our whole life totally to God. It is also, as we read, the testimony of the Scripture.
How then, is one born again? Some say that it happens when the priest sprinkles water three times to the forehead of baby child. But that custom tends to give suggestion that it is up to parents and priests to assure one of spiritual rebirth. It may even bring people to false sense of being under the mercy of God. Lord said:
"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.- - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 7:17,20-21
So, if the sprinkling of babies brings the assurance of salvation, then most of the people even today in Christian world ought to bear good fruit. Is it so? What do we see in news? Prisons and brothels are full of people who have been baptized as a child. Does their behavior testify they have been Born Again from above? Surely not. True and genuine rebirth includes things and brings the fruit which is written by St. Paul:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
How then do we achieve this? Is this salvation by works?
The real and factual event of Rebirth takes place, when one truly takes Jesus for his or her personal savior. This includes, as I wrote before, that we give the fullness of ourselves to the LORD. Accepting the atoning work of Christ as a substitute Lamb for our sins makes us righteous before the eyes of God the Father. Thus we also receive the Holy Spirit, when we take Jesus.
Rebirth is "from above", it is the miraculous work of God and not of man. We cannot choose to be born again, but ought to expect it, if we give ourselves to Him. God makes us New Men. St.Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, made it very clear that it is not something we can achieve through rituals.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."
- Galatians 6:15
Let us now consider what else Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:5-6
Now, those who over-emphasize the sacramentalism may say that here Jesus clearly institutes the sacrament of baptism, by which the rebirth occurs. The context and the whole of the Bible does not allow this kind of interpretation. Jesus also said, as written down by the same apostle John:
"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." - John 4:10
Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan woman, who was did not yet believe in Him. Thus he used the symbolism of water as that of the truth about salvation trough Him. Jesus is giving us the Living Water, the faith which brings the Spirit of God also to us. Thus it seems preferable that one takes the Christian water baptism after he or she has been Born Again. Thus it is an outward sing of the fact one is already saved, and gives assurance of that. This does not diminish the true sacramental value of baptism, but this has to be made clear in whole other study.
Now, to summarize the work of the Lord, who gives the salvation to us as a free gift, which we can take or abandon let us read:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12,13.
By the will of God, we are born again and can call God Abba, our Father. In perfect love there's no fear, like St. John wrote later on. We are New Creatures in Christ. Thus we are His joint-heirs waiting to receive from Him all which He has. This includes a new body at the Day of His Coming (1.Co.15.). This is beautiful and joyful hope of the true Christians.
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