Truth Magazine

By Richard Boone

Numerous opinions exist about baptism. Let me assure the reader that I am not interested in my or anyone else’s opinions on any Bible subject. I am only interested in speaking as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). Having full assurance that we can understand the Bible (Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17), we shall let the Scriptures speak to us on this subject. In a very simple approach, consider some basics about Bible baptism with me.

What Is Baptism?

Many religious groups presently offer the choice of immersion, sprinkling, or pouring for “baptism.” However, what does the New Testament say that the act of baptism is?

According to Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12, baptism is a “burial.” Friend, one is not buried in water when the practice of sprinkling or pouring occurs. “Burial” can only be satisfied by the act of immersion. The other two actions are not sufficient to meet what the Scriptures say that baptism is.

Why Be Baptized?

There are several reasons given in the New Testament stating why one needs to be baptized. It is an act of faithful obedience to Christ who has all authority (Matt. 28:18-20). Just as Christ’s blood was shed “for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28), one is also baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16). It puts one in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27). It saves (1 Pet. 3:21). Many people think baptism is not necessary for salvation. In light of these plain passages, what do you think?

Who Can Be Baptized?

Modem practice allows baptism for nearly anyone. Small infants are baptized as well as adults. Does this harmonize with New Testament teaching and practice?

The following conditions must be met before one is a proper candidate for baptism. One must believe that God is (Heb. 11:6). He must accept Christ as God’s Son (John 8:24; 20:30-31). Motivated by this faith, he must repent of his sins, as Peter told those believers on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38). One must confess with his mouth that Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10). Upon this confession, one is immersed into Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27) which gives one the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) by the blood of Christ (Matt. 26:28). These are the conditions set forth in the New Testament for scriptural baptism. As a footnote, infants and small children cannot meet these conditions.

Conclusion

Dear reader, have you complied with these Bible requirements to become a child of God? If not, why not? God does not require the impossible of us. He has given us his will which can be understood and obeyed. We will give an ac-count of our obedience to his will on the Judgment Day (2 Cor. 5:10). We stand ready and willing to assist you in your obedience to God at any time.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 3 p. 8
February 6, 1997

By Lewis Willis

That’s what a caller on the BIBLE TALK program said last Sunday morning. She had asked a question and I had cited a passage of Scripture to her that did not say what she wanted it to say. So she responded, “I don’t think much of that Scripture.” What an appalling thing to say about God’s inspired Word!

Many who would never think of saying what this woman said apparently think the same thing about the Scriptures as she does. They want to know about baptism, but when Acts 22:16 is read, they don’t accept it. Ananias told Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” They don’t think much of that Scripture because it says sins are washed away in baptism.

They want to know about the music God put in the church. Paul told the Ephesians, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). They want to use mechanical instruments of music, so they don’t think much of that Scripture.

They want to know about baptizing babies. But, when you quote Mark 16:16 (“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”), they don’t think much of that Scripture. It prohibits baptizing babies because they can’t believe.

They want to know about falling from grace. They don’t believe it is possible for a Christian to fall from grace. So, when you quote Galatians 5:4 to them (“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace”), they don’t think much of that passage.

It is often the same with some church members. They want to know about attendance at the worship, “Do I have to be there?” We quote to them Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” But, they don’t think much of that Scripture.

Dear reader, if the answers given to our questions by the Scriptures are not acceptable and satisfactory, we will not be reached, changed or converted by any other reasoning. Our responsibility is to give the scriptural answers. It is the responsibility of the questioner to accept and obey what God’s word says.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 3 p. 9
February 6, 1997

By Randy Blackaby

Perusing the new book shelf at the library the other day I came across a book entitled Healthy Divorce. That title started me thinking about the sad confusion about marriage, family, and children that exists in our country today.

The very idea that divorce  breaking up a family  can be “healthy” is contrary to everything we learn in the Bible and from practical experience.

In Malachi 2:16 we learn that God “hates divorce.” Jesus himself taught that divorce is sinful except when your spouse commits adultery (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:1-9).

In that latter Scripture, Jesus showed that it was God’s plan from the beginning that a man and woman live together for a lifetime and become as “one flesh” and not separate.

Contrary to popular thinking, this commandment was not devised as some sort of divinely imposed suffering. It is the wisdom of God that leads men and women to the best life in this world.

Let me present some evidence from our world to support this.

Each year in our country more than one million children experience a family break-up and 500,000 are born out of wedlock. As this phenomenon has increased, teen suicide has tripled and juvenile crime has become epidemic. Statistics show that 70 percent of juveniles in state reform institutions come from homes without both parents present.

Further, we see that five years after family break-ups, more than a third of children in those situations are experiencing significant mental depression. Girls in these situations are statistically at much higher risk of becoming promiscuous, getting married as teens, getting pregnant without benefit of marriage, and themselves eventually going through a divorce.

Children from broken homes are much more likely to have trouble academically in school and even to drop out. In two-parent families, about 30 percent of students are ranked as high achievers. In broken families, that figure is only about 17 percent.

Children in families with a woman as the head are twice as likely to receive mental health services. That isn’t a slam at mothers. It is evidence of the need for fathers in the home.

Divorced men have ten times the risk for psychiatric disorders requiring care and divorced women are five times at risk, compared to married men and women.

Knowing what God says and what a study of actual divorce results shows, I’m hard pressed to embrace the idea of “healthy divorce.”

What about you?

Guardian of Truth XLI: 3 p. 5
February 6, 1997

By Larry Ray Hafley

So inquired a headline in the Houston Chronicle (November 14, 1996, p. 18A). “Sam Nunn and William Bennett . . . teamed up . . . to launch a commission to study what they say are social pathologies that imperil society.

“Nunn, a … Democrat, and Bennett, a leading Republican voice on moral issues said they are alarmed by signs of a nation succumbing to drug abuse, crime, pornography, and family breakups, among other problems.”

.. America is the most powerful and affluent and enviable nation in the world,’ Bennett said. . . . `It is also true that America leads the world in rates of murder, violent crime, juvenile crime, divorce, abortion, children born out of wedlock and consumption of cocaine and other drugs. Something is wrong.’

Bennett and Nunn want a panel to find out “why so many social institutions  schools, churches, families  have seemingly fallen into disrepair.” Sadly, “They said they saw no obvious remedies” for the problems that imperil our nation.

Yes, “Something Is Wrong”

Surface problems have been identified. The signs and symptoms of the diseases that are eroding our society have been labeled. Too often, “panels” and “commissions” attack the surface, the signs, the symptoms. They do not reach the core, the base, the heart of the malady that is destroying America.

The central malignancy that ails us is that of the heart. “Out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). An itinerant carpenter and preacher once said that “those things which proceed out of mouth come forth from the heart: and they defile the man. For out of the heart,” he said, “proceed” all the infirmities that corrupt individuals, undermine society, and threaten the nation (Matt. 15:18, 19). It is only after the heart is taught and trained that any disease can be treated and defeated.

As the heart is the root of man, so the hearth and home are the soul of society. For too long, the twin towers of heart and home have been indwelt by soulless spirits of unbridled lust and undisciplined “freedom.”

As the heart is the root of man, so the hearth and home are the soul of society. For too long, the twin towers of heart and home have been indwelt by soulless spirits of unbridled lust and undisciplined “freedom.” Indeed, “freedom” has been the cloak under which lust has satisfied and gratified its sensual self. But, as it was true three thousand years ago, so it is true today, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Fed, fat flesh, and starved, emaciated spirits encourage lust and endanger liberty.

Romans 1:21-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-8 chronicle the elements besieging and besetting our nation. Nunn, Bennett, and their panel would do well to seek the wisdom that dealt with that wickedness. God is the doctor. His word is the remedy. Until men and nations turn to it, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

It is sheer folly to decry the evils jeopardizing society on the one hand while government legalizes, funds, and promotes them with the other. In part, our society and government condones and encourages abortion, condoms avail-able at school, easy divorce, protection of the “rights” of pornographers to publish and peddle their product, restraints against the use of discipline, no condemnation of one’s sexual behavior, whether promiscuous fornication or perverted homosexuality, in the name of “privacy.” Yet, unless I am totally mistaken, these things are at the center of `the social pathologies (and behaviors) that imperil society” Nunn, Bennett, and their commission need to address this in-consistent feeding of the very things they say are destroying us.

As long as commissions and panels ignore the wisdom of God, and as long as they endorse government policies supporting that which they admit is imperiling society, I, like Nunn and Bennett, see “no obvious remedies” in sight.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 3 p. 7
February 6, 1997