When Jesus was about to leave this world by His death on the cross, He prayed to the Father for His disciples, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). While Jesus’ death and resurrection would spell defeat for the prince of this world (John 12:31), the devil can still lure the disciples of the Lord into eternal ruin. Christ’s victory will be consummated at the end when He delivers up the kingdom to the Father and death, the last enemy, is destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). In the meantime, children of God must still live in a world that lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19).

While Christ’s followers are to be distinct from the world just as He was not of the world (John 17:16; cf. Romans 12:2), He does not desire that they be removed from the world. Our task is to fight a cosmic conflict. Our Lord has not commissioned that we be withdrawn from the world, but rather go out and engage the world with the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47). We must confront the world while not being confused with the world. The Pharisees so separated themselves that they despised Jesus for eating with publicans and sinners; He did not participate in their sin with them, but as a physician heals the sick He brought them to repentance (Matthew 9:9-13). Matthew himself was one of these. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth, holding up the truth for the world, that men may be saved by coming to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4; 3:15).

Jesus identified His followers as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt preserves and purifies. It was used in sacrifices and offerings (Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 43:24; Mark 9:49). Elisha used salt to purify poisoned waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22). Christians are the chief preserving agents of righteousness in the world. Without them the world would look like it did before the Flood—God’s universal punishment. Then the wickedness of man was great on the earth, men’s hearts were only imagining evil continually, and the earth was filled with violence; the only exception was Noah—the preacher of righteousness—and his family, the eight souls who were saved by water while the ungodly were drowned (Genesis 6:5, 11; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5). Light shines in the darkness and stands out. Paul’s desire for Christians at Philippi was not that they would be identified with the world, nor be removed from the world, but, as he writes, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16a).

Salt can lose its savor and light can grow dim; beware, this world can contaminate the Christian. However, let us also remember that the devil came to our Lord while He was alone in the wilderness (Mark 1:13). Conflict with the spiritual powers of darkness is part of the Christian life; we must stand wearing the armor of God instead of turning our backs and retreating (Ephesians 6:10-18).

-Mark Day

Baptism is a much debated subject in the religious world. The necessity and place of baptism in being saved is discussed. Some claim baptism is not essential, only optional, while others affirm baptism is indeed essential and not optional.

J.W. Shepherd, in responding to why he wrote his book “Handbook On Baptism” wrote “WHY should another book be written on the subject of baptism? Why should any one preach about it, or discuss it, ever again? Why not, as do many, ignore the questions arising out of it in our writing and preaching, and say, as do they, that the subject has been worn threadbare, that it is a matter of comparatively little importance, that more harm is done by discussing it than good, and that therefore it ought to be left alone? I reply: the questions concerning baptism are living, practical issues, which must be considered by every human being who intelligently endeavors to follow Christ. Men may talk as they will, but the facts remain. The duty to be baptized confronts every man who reads the Bible. He meets the subject near the beginning of Matthew, and it comes up again and again in many places – in commands, examples, exhortations, and in many incidental ways, as he goes on through the four Gospels, the Acts, and the Epistles; and the last book (Revelation) with tremendous power enforces the necessity of keeping the commandments.”

Consider with me this morning the following as we discuss in the sermon “Why Be Baptized”:

 

Because God says baptism saves us from eternal destruction.

Verses: ______Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16                    

Because God says faith in Jesus is not enough.

Verses: John 3:16, John 12:42-43, compare Matt. 10:32; James 2:24 .

Because God shows us that sincerity and prayer are not enough.

Verses: Paul sees Jesus (Acts 9:5) prays (Acts 9:11) sorrowful (Acts 9:9) “what he MUST do” (Acts 9:6, see Acts 22:16).

Because baptism is the natural response of a honest heart who has heard Jesus preached.

Verses: Acts 8:35-39    .

Because baptism is found consistently in the Biblical cases of conversion.

Verses:   Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 36-38, Acts 9, Acts 10, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:30-34, Acts 18:8

Because of the obvious urgency associated with baptism.

Verses: Acts 2:40-41, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 16:33    

Clearly the Bible presents many reasons for the person lost in sin to be baptized. If a person has not been baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) they are lost. To delay is dangerous and that person will face eternal destruction after death.

This article has taught what the Bible says in regard specifically to baptism. But please understand, God’s plan of salvation, fully defined according to the Bible is Hearing the Gospel (Luke 11:28), Believing that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), Repenting of a life of sin (Luke 13:3), Confessing Jesus (Matthew 10:32), and being Baptized for the forgiveness of sin (Mark 16:16).

–Jerry D. Sturgill