Truth Magazine

By Keith Greer

Whenever a congregation is blessed by having some young people obey the gospel, questions come up. While we rejoice at the decision of young men and women to turn to the Lord, some voice a concern by asking the question: “What is the age of accountability?”

Some desire to know at what age “must” one obey the gospel? These questions have been raised by brethren over the years, and varied answers have been given. The only way to come to an acceptable conclusion is to examine what the scriptures teach.

Many are of the belief that the “magic age” for one’s obedience is “twelve.” Luke 2:40-47, is the place they use for their answer. Jesus, at the age of twelve, sat in the temple among the doctors, both learning and answering their questions. Many who use this passage tell us Jesus was at the “age of accountability” when he began going to the temple. Therefore, one must be at “least” twelve before he can be baptized into Christ.

But are these conclusions correctly applying these pas-sages? If there has not been any specific age given by God, then the age of Jesus when he was in the temple is irrelevant. How do you know this was the child’s first time in the temple? Can you determine such by the text? If this was the age, Jesus sinned since he was not baptized for some eighteen years later by John! For others to “set” a particular age, is to do so without divine authority. God has not given us a particular “age” that men must abide by. If one waits until fourteen, has he sinned? What about if one comes to him at eleven? Is his obedience invalid?

When Jesus sent the apostles out into the world, he commanded them to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15,16). In Acts 8:36,37, the eunuch asked Philip, “. . . see here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest.” In either of these passages, is the age of the believer an issue? If the apostles and early teachers made no issue, why should we!

A person who is desiring to be baptized must have the capacity to be able to believe, and to understand what they are being baptized for. This is why infant baptism is not in accordance with God’s divine will. How can infants believe? How can they understand what baptism is? “And they shall all be taught of God ” (John 6:45). Look at all the conversions in the book of Acts. What took place before baptism? In every account teaching! Why? Faith has to be in something! It is in God’s word!

In Acts 2:38, the Jews were told, “. . . repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” A person must have the capacity to repent and have sins to repent of. Therefore, we have another reason why infants do not need to be baptized. What sin do they need to repent of? In 2 Corinthians 7:9, 10, we are taught that we must have “godly sorrow” towards repentance. A person must be able to be truly sorry to God because he has sinned against him, to understand what sin has done to his soul, and the need to have it cleansed from sin. One who cannot repent, cannot be baptized!

When Philip told the eunuch that he could be baptized if he believed, the eunuch answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). Also, in Romans 10:9,10, we read that confession with the mouth is made towards salvation. In order to become obedient to the gospel, one must be able to confess Christ and to under-stand what the confession means. It is an awesome step to take. One has now committed his life to God.

Like the conversions that we read about in the book of Acts, those who obeyed the gospel of Christ were willing to be immersed in water (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27). One must understand what baptism does and why it must be accomplished. Does one understand that by rendering obedience to the gospel, the Lord adds him to the church (Acts 2:47)? Does he understand that this is where he comes in contact with the blood of Christ (Col. 2:12,13)? Does he under-stand his responsibility after baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17)?

Responsibility

When is a person ready to accept responsibility? At what age does this occur? There is no fixed or set time that can possibly fit everybody. All people are different, all from different backgrounds, and they will reach the decision to obey God at different times. Some reach it much sooner than others. So, how can we tell if they are ready?

We must remember that becoming a child of God is a personal decision. Obedience to the plan of God must be done by the individual. If a person will humbly submit himself to God’s word and obey the gospel, then he is ready!

While it might be necessary in some cases to question the young person as to why he is desiring to be baptized, very often his background will give you a hint as to whether or not he has sufficient knowledge and is ready to obey the gospel. Personally speaking, I may ask: “What is baptism for?” “Why do you feel you need to be baptized?” “What takes away the sin?” “Are you willing to commit your life to the Lord?”

We need to remember Felix in Acts 24:25, when he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee.” Sometimes we discourage the zeal and yearning one may have to obey the gospel, and then that zeal is never manifested again. One by being told he is “too young” may go in another direction in his life. Sadly, I have known this to happen on two occasions! We never want to tell a person “not to obey God,” especially when he has a desire to do so!

Remember, that Timothy was taught as a child by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). He knew about God and his duty to God from a very early age. Many of our children are brought up with the knowledge of God and his word from the pre-school years and up. I believe they learn more than we give them credit for! If a parent brings up his child in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord,” this child hopefully has greater knowledge than one who does not have this benefit. But parents, please do not rush your children into being baptized. Let them hear the gospel, believe the gospel, repent of their sins, confess faith in Christ, and then be baptized for the remission of sins. Only by doing so in this manner and for these reasons, will they be true children of God.

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine ” (Rom. 6:17). When they have done that, they have met the Lord’s requirements for salvation, whatever age they might be. “Can any forbid water, that these should not be baptized?” (Acts 10:47) My friends, if God would not, can we? G

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 14-15
May 19, 1994

By Wilson Adams

It has never been tougher in our country’s history to raise a family than it is today. Whereas the biggest worry facing Ward and June Cleaver was the influence and pranks of Eddie Haskell, today’s parents have much more to be concerned about.

The world around us has become a moral minefield, a battleground over values. When condoms are distributed in high school clinics, popular songs celebrate the killing of policemen and 270,000 guns go to school every day, it’s obvious that someone’s values are prevailing.

If you are a parent in the 90’s you are in for the fight of your life! Our children have become the biggest market (and target!) in the world. Everyone from MTV to corporate giants seek to sell our kids their products, and in the process they sell something else: their values. Those values are often at conflict with what they learn at home.

The first and most important teachers a child will ever have are his parents. The Bible declares plainly: Education begins at home! (Deut. 6; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4) The home is the classroom where our children must learn the central truths which will carry them through life. Parents cannot delegate that responsibility to anyone else.

Giving Gifts to Our Children

In Matthew 7:11 Jesus speaks of parents who give gifts to their children. And we do. After a week-long trip this Dad can barely get his suitcase in the door before little hands (and even teenage hands!) want to examine the contents of his luggage. (They’re certainly not looking for dirty socks!) What about the gifts we give… Will they last? Will they be remembered? Our youngsters need more than toys and trains, baseball gloves and baby dolls. These have their place but they are not the best gifts. The best gifts can’t be bought at TOYS ‘R US or placed in a box and wrapped with a bow. However, they are the gifts that will outlast all others. In fact, they are the best gifts of all.

Here then is my list of ten gifts I want to leave with my children. Ten things I want them to know.. .

1. They are a special creation of God. Everything I hope to teach as a parent rests upon this basic truth: God is! God created the world! And God loves them! Our children need to know that everything God created (including them!) is special (Psa. 139:14). Undoubtedly they will suffer through defeats and disappointments. They will encounter others who will doubt them as well as experience self-doubt. However, the one thing that will get them through every-thing is a knowledge that God loves them. It is a fundamental truth I must communicate.

2. Important things can’t be bought. Materialism and commercialism are everywhere and kids are easily influenced (parents, too!). Where are we in our world when kids kill kids for a pair of Reeboks or parents substitute cash and cars for the time and love their children need? It’s all so wrong. Every time I see the bumper sticker that proclaims “He Who Dies With the Most Toys Wins!” I want to yell: “Win what? What do you win?” Job 1:21 is the answer to such incredible stupidity.

Our inner cities bear living testimony that many children are desperately poor. However, just as desperate are the children who end up poor because they have been taught that money is the key to happiness. It isn’t.

I want to leave my children the gift of generosity and the joy of sharing. This past holiday season we adopted a needy family in the city of Baltimore. We all went through our things and selected items to give. It was the one of the highlights of our year. Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” I want my children to learn that firsthand.

3. They are loved unconditionally. The great tragedy of our day is that so many children feel (and are!) unloved. Every morning another headline tells the sad story of abused, abandoned and neglected kids. It’s a tragedy if one child doesn’t have someone to make them feel valuable. Today there are thousands.

We show our children we love them in many ways but the simplest way is to tell them. And they need to hear it again and again. They need to know they are loved if they come home with A’s or D’s, if they hit a home run to win the game or strike out to lose it. Children thrive on simple expressions of love. It’s a gift they will always cherish and never forget.

4. Choices have consequences. Young people hear a lot about choices but seldom about consequences. Modern education has gone to great lengths to help them think about choices rather than helping them make the right ones! Thus, it is imperative that I do my job as a parent and teach them the truth: Choices do have consequences.

5. There is right and wrong. Society’s moral relativism states: “Do whatever you want, whenever you want and don’t condemn anyone else for doing the same.” (And we wonder why our country is full of crime and corruption  ?) There are absolute rights and wrongs. Our kids may not hear it in the classroom but they must hear it at home. As parents we have the responsibility of guiding them through the maze of society with the clear rules of living found in the Word of God. Thomas Jefferson once advised his nephew, “Never suppose that in any situation that it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you.” That’s the kind of advice that our kids need to hear early and often.

6. Courage is a must. Peer pressure is an awesome force. Our kids get countless messages telling them what to wear, what to listen to and where to go. Some are innocent. Some are deadly.

Our children must be taught courage to stand apart from the crowd. “But everybody’s doing it . . .” must be met with “We are not everybody’s parents, we are yours. And you are not everybody’s child  you are ours.” We must communicate the need for them to stand tall and firm and, yes, sometimes alone. (A word to the weary: pick your battles! A wise parent will discern the difference between what is right and wrong and what is a matter of taste and opinion. Not everything is worth fighting over).

7. Human life is sacred. Judy Squier was born without any legs. However, working longer and harder than “normal” people she has succeeded in life. Recently she stood before members of the U.S. Senate and shocked the “pro-choice” senators when she told them that if they had their way she and other “deformed” children would have never been born. Judy Squier may not have any legs but she makes up for it in heart, soul and spunk.

My children need to know about the Judy Squiers in this world. They need to know that the measure of a man or woman is not found in the shape and form of their body but in their mind and soul. They need to know that every person is special in the eyes of God. (Isn’t that what Jesus tried to tell us when he touched the leper, showed mercy to the adulterous woman, went home with Zaccheus, and promised paradise to the crook on the cross? I believe so.)

8. Hard work has value. “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” Our country was founded on the principle that anyone can go as far as his dreams and hard work will take him. I still believe that. Sadly, our children often receive a different message from lazy adults.

The value of hard work, diligent effort, excellence and responsibility are principles that find their basis in Scripture. God honors hard working people. It’s a truth that must be passed along.

9. Prejudice is wrong. When the Los Angeles riots occurred in the spring of ’92, one of the brightest candles of courage shown in the example of a black man named Gregory Williams who rushed to the aid of white trucker Reginald Denny. When asked why he would risk his own life, he replied, “If I don’t help this man, when and if the mob comes for me, there’ll be nobody to help me.”

When our children see headlines of death and destruction, it’s important that they also hear stories like these. They need to know that there are a lot of Gregory Williamses. They need to know that it’s not color but character that counts. They need to know that God hates prejudice. (By-the-way, when was the last time you heard a sermon on the sin of racial prejudice?)

10. God comes first. “The conclusion when all has been heard is: fear God and keep his commandments.” That is rock solid advice that can never be improved upon.

Being a parent is the toughest assignment there is. It takes wisdom, courage, faith, determination, a sense of humor, and every ounce of energy you have (and then some!). But it’s worth it. God grant unto every tired parent reading these words an extra measure of wisdom as we seek to give the gifts that will last a lifetime.

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 12-13
May 19, 1994

By James R. Cope

I first knew him as a student when I was teaching at Freed-Hardeman College at the end of World War II. He came to us from Kenton, Tennessee. He was in school to learn and he had a mind that was receptive to every good thought any of his teachers could present. His burning desire was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Somehow an affinity developed between us that was held steadfast through almost fifty years. I doubt that the day has passed since we first met that he has not prayed for my good health and success in the Lord’s vineyard. This was the kind of character he was then and continues to be after almost five decades since we first met. He earnestly prayed for my welfare when I left Henderson and came to Temple Terrace, Florida, to assume the Presidency of what later came to be known as Florida College.

With time’s passing this able man moved to Florida. Time and experience had matured him greatly though he held the same devotion to the Lord and his cause I had known in him when he first enrolled in my classes as a youngster fresh out of Uncle Sam’s military. I never knew him to ignore any issue he considered germane to the cause of our Lord. A gentleman in every controversial situation, he was and is, nevertheless, a tiger in defense and proclamation of gospel truth.

A few years ago he moved to Palm River where he yet lives and labors with the brethren there. Tragedy of the rankest sort has recently invaded his home. His daughter, who lived with the Needhams, died suddenly in the early morning a few weeks ago. She left a young child which becomes the ward of the Needhams and upon whom they will bestow all the love and care possible to emanate from their big hearts.

Another brother has written in earlier issues about the tragedy to which I have referred. I want to add my word of encouragement to what he has said regarding the Needham’s situation. Both James and Maria are reluctant to mention their financial need and stress. The fact remains, however, that this faithful preaching servant and his wife need financial assistance. Furthermore, they need it now! James has been in and out of the hospital yet continues to “do the work of an evangelist” in the Palm River area as he is able.

The Needhams do not know I am making this appeal in their behalf. It is not amiss for brethren who have known this faithful man and wife to keep aware of their situation. Being aware on the one hand, however, and doing something about it on the other are two distinct situations. I plead with individuals and churches which have the ability to send any support to begin such support at once.

The address of the Palm River Road church with which brother James P. Needham labors is 8015 Palm River Road, Tampa, Florida 33619 and his home address is 106 Foxwood Drive, Brandon, Florida 33510. The Palm River church is not large in numbers and has “about all it can wiggle with.” I know “first hand” of matters I report here and plead with my brethren to respond to the needs of this faithful brother. He is worthy!

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 10, p. 15
May 19, 1994

By Larry Ray Hafley

A leading lament and a chronic complaint of those who criticize the church is that “we need more preaching about the grace of God and the cross of Christ. We need less preaching about the church and baptism.” (For a detailed study of what it means to preach the cross of Christ, see the author’s four part series, “The Preaching Of The Cross,” Guardian Of Truth, May 18  July 6, 1992.)

They do greatly err who would alienate and separate the grace of the cross from baptism and the church. The love and grace of God and the death of our Lord on the cross are related to baptism and the church as the root and branch are related to the bud and the fruit. The mercy and grace of God and the cross of Christ are tied to baptism and the church as cause is to effect. If anything, they are more tightly bound and intertwined than the examples cited (Rom. 4:25; 6:3,4; 2 Cor. 8:9). J.W. McGarvey, commenting on 1 Corinthians 2:2 said:

Paul here asserts that the subject-matter of his preaching was selected from choice, or fixed design. He does not mean to say that every sermon was a description of the crucifixion of our Lord, but that all his teaching and preaching related to the atonement wrought by Christ upon the cross. This atonement, through the sacrifice of our Lord, was recognized by Paul as the foundation of the Christian system, and he here means to say that he handled no doctrine or theme at Corinth without remembering and recognizing its relation to that foundation.

Sympathy for error pulls the teeth from truth. It renders it weak and makes it apologetic in nature. Those vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind offer excuses for their less enlightened brethren who would preach the whole counsel of God. They do this with disdain and disgust for their “Neanderthal” brethren who have a “gunslinger’s mentality, always wanting to fuss and fight.” N.B. Hardeman, speaking of the need to “fight the good fight of faith” and to expose error, said:

If Jesus had but preached the truth, he would have been living till this very hour, all other things being equal. Let me tell you the fact: because Jesus Christ condemned error and exposed the wrong, those very chief priests, and scribes and Pharisees whom he had denounced went to old Caiphas and said: “That man must be killed.” Jesus Christ suffered on the tree of the cross, not for preaching the truth, but for exposing and condemning error (Tabernacle Sermons, Vol. IV).

I am called upon to be a fellow-soldier, and the very word soldier carries with it the idea of fighting. Remember I am not only to put on the whole armor of God for self protection, but I am to carry the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God to enable me to fight the enemy. That soldier who goes on the battle field with an unloaded gun, or one who never shoots his gun, or one who is begging all not to shoot so as to hit the enemy is a disgrace to the army.

Yet I go to many places where many of my brethren claim to be soldiers, but they have not shot a gun at the enemy in ten years, and begin to plead with me as soon as I get there, and beg me to be careful not to shoot any gospel gun toward Baptists or Methodists, or “outsiders,” for if I do and a gospel shot hits one, they claim it will hurt his feelings and make him mad and he won’t come to church again. Many church members are more fearful of hurting the feelings of their sectarian neighbors, and regard their friendship and love far above that of God in whose army they claim to be fighting.

Brother, do you belong to this class? Then can you claim you are in fellowship with God, when you refuse to teach the gospel to those who are the Lord’s enemies, who are not only building on the sand, but are spending their time and talent in cultivating the human plants, or human churches that Christ states shall be rooted up? (J.D. Tant, The Gospel X-Ray, p. 159)

Afflicted with the spirit that desires worldly wisdom and reknown and covets acceptance from the wise of this world, compromise declares another fault and failing of “the Church of Christ as we know it.” (See chart on the next page)

1. Acts 8:5 (ChristGrace); 8:12 (ChurchBaptism): In Acts 8:5, Philip “preached Christ unto” the Samaritans. This is the only preaching that will save the souls of men! What did it include? What did Philip preach?

First, his preaching overthrew the people’s confidence in Simon the sorcerer as “the great power of God” (Acts 8:9-11). Critics of the church do not want preaching that “attacks” false teachers. They do not want the Pope or a well known Protestant preacher (Billy Graham, etc.) to be named and his doctrines rebuked and refuted. No, they are too sweet, too loving for such preaching. They say that “it drives people away.” Again, remember their problem; they do not want popular evangelical, denominational preachers exposed because they crave the limelight of the “doctors” of theology, and they feel comfortable with the loose philosophies and doctrines of men that allow participation in the evil and errors of the world. Some are misguided. Philip’s preaching destroyed confidence in Simon as a religious leader. Shall we have such preaching today? There are those in the church who say we should not have it, and if they have their way, we will not have it. What say ye?

Second, Philip preached “the kingdom of God” (Acts 8:12). He preached “the sovereign rule of God,” but in order to do this he had to preach Christ as “the head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22). Christ has a kingdom over which he reigns as “Lord,” or “head” (Acts 2:36; Heb. 1:8). The redeemed are “translated into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13). One is baptized into the kingdom On. 3:3-5). One is baptized into the church, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22,23). From Philip’s preaching, the Samaritans learned about the kingdom, the church, and they were baptized into it (Acts 8:12; Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13). If we “preach Christ” as Philip did, we will preach “the kingdom of God” and tell people how they may “enter” it. In short, we will preach baptism and the church when we preach Christ. Those who say that such preaching “ignores” the “central items” of the gospel will have to take up their complaints with Philip and the Holy Spirit. We know what Philip preached. Shall we follow Philip’s ex-ample in our preaching, or shall we listen to our critics and “take away” preaching about baptism and the church (Rev. 22:18, 19)? What say ye?

Third, Philip preached “the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12). To preach the name of Jesus Christ is to preach the authority of Jesus Christ. When God raised Jesus from the dead, he gave him “a name which is above every name: (Why did God do this?) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:9-11). The bowing of the knee is the premier manifestation of the power of one over another; hence, “the name of Jesus Christ” is the power, the authority of Jesus Christ. Our text sights in on the sovereign rule of God when it refers to “the name of Jesus Christ.”

Do you want an explanation of the two paragraphs above? Here it is: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye 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” (Matt. 28:18-20). That is the grand theme of what Philip preached when he preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ.” The Samaritans were exhorted to believe that Jesus now has “all power,” all authority. Expressing their belief, they wanted to know how to be brought under the name, rule and power of Prince Immanuel (cf. Acts 2:37; 8:36; 16:30). They were “commanded” to be baptized in water into the name, body and kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus the Christ (Acts 10:48; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:13).

In preaching Christ, Philip preached, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). If one does not preach faith, repentance and baptism, he is not preaching Christ as Philip did! Nothing is said about Philip’s preaching of the grace of God, the love of God or the blood of Christ. Should we say that men may preach Christ without those things? No; but they are not mentioned in Acts 8:5! Jesus said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Lk. 24:47). In preaching “the name of Jesus Christ,” did Philip preach “repentance and remission of sins” unto the Samaritans? Would any dare to say that he did not? Obviously, Philip preached “repentance and remission of sins” through the “name of Jesus Christ,” and when he did, he preached baptism, for baptism is “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38).

After Philip “preached Christ” in “the city of Samaria,” the record says “that Samaria had received the word of God” (Acts 8:14). What is the significance of this statement? What bearing does it have on what it means to “preach Christ”? First, Acts 2:41 says, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” The word they received included the command to “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Did those in Acts 2 “receive” the same “word” as those in Acts 8? Did Peter and Philip preach two different, diverse messages? You know that they did not (1 Cor. 15:11)! Thus, the reception of the word in Samaria included the reception of the word regarding baptism.

Second, Acts 11:1 says “that the Gentiles. . . received the word of God. ” The word they “received” contained “words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved” (Acts 11:14). These “words” included the command to (A) believe, (B) repent, (C) and be baptized in water, “in the name of the Lord,” “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; 10:43,47,48; 11:18). The Gentiles were purified “by faith”; they were saved through “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:7-11). Did the Gentiles receive the same word as did the Samaritans? Both “received the word of God” (Acts 8:14; 11:1). This “word” included faith, repentance and baptism. If one preaches Christ, he will preach these things. Shall we lower our emphasis on baptism and the church as we are advised to do? Or shall we preach as Peter and Philip did?

As we see from the example of Philip, it is impossible to preach Christ without preaching baptism and the church. Critics re-define, according to their own lusts, what it truly means to “preach Christ.” If we allow them to define the preaching of Christ, we will have to exclude the preaching of baptism and the church, but we are not willing to let them define the truth! Do not be deceived by their sentimental, superficial protestations of piety. Brethren, they will pervert the truth and change the church if we give in to them. If you own a white flag of surrender, burn it!

2. Acts 8:35 (ChristGrace); Acts 8:36-39 (ChurchBaptism): Hear J.W. McGarvey as he speaks to the point of modem critics and observe that brother McGarvey was hearing the same things one hundred years ago that we are hearing today. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.

I have had people say, “Brother McGarvey, I would like your preaching better if you would just preach Christ crucified and not of baptism so often.” Well, I like to gratify my friends, but I can’t get along that way. When Philip was preaching Christ to the man, it seems that baptism was part of the sermon. Indeed, it is impossible to preach Christ fully to a sinner and leave baptism out of the sermon (emphasis mine  LRH). You have to mention baptism early in the story of Jesus…. It is a mutilated gospel that leaves baptism out of the sermons addressed to sinners (McGarvey’s Sermons).

Acts 8:35 says that Philip “preached . . . Jesus” unto the Ethiopian eunuch. Critics say that we need to do this, but that we should emphasize Christ more and baptism less. This concept does not square with Acts 8. What did the eunuch know after hearing “Jesus” preached? First, he knew Jesus was the object of Isaiah 53; he knew, therefore, of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and exaltation (vv. 7-12). From Isaiah 53, he heard the declaration of Christ’s incarnation and coronation (vv. 2, 3, 10-12). Second, he knew he should believe in Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 2:36; 8:37). Third, he knew about baptism. What did he know about it? He knew it was in “water.” He knew he should be baptized (Acts 8:36). How did he know all of this? He knew it from hearing “Jesus” “preached unto him” (Acts 8:35).

Popular, prominent Protestant preachers (like Billy Graham) claim that they proclaim and “preach Jesus.” They lie; they do not preach Jesus! Men today do not learn what the eunuch learned when they hear these men preach; hence, they are not preaching “Jesus” as Philip did. Shall we preach Jesus as Philip did, or shall we listen to our critics and delete baptism from our preaching of Jesus? Shall we diminish grace and the cross in the gospel story? God forbid! Philip did not (Isa. 53). Shall we lighten our emphasis on baptism? God forbid! Philip did not (Acts 8:12, 36-39).

3. Acts 16:30-32 (ChristGrace); Acts 16:33 (ChurchBaptism). “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And then he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:30-33). Though nothing is said about the grace and love of God or the blood of Christ in the text above, we know these things had been preached in Philippi (Phil. 2:5-11; 3:3-10), and so must they be preached today!

Critics of the Lord’s church say that we should preach “the word of the Lord” unto sinners and not preach so much on baptism and the church. However, from the text above we learn: (1) the sinner wanted to know what he must do to be saved. He was not told that there was nothing he could do to be saved (Acts 2:40). (2) He was told to “believe.” How can he “believe”? “Faith cometh by hearing” the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, (3) “they spake unto him the word of the Lord” so he could believe. (4) Evidently, the jailer repented, for he washed their wounds. (5) He was immediately “baptized.” How did he learn to be baptized? He had only heard “the word of the Lord,” so how did he know to be baptized? “The word of the Lord” includes baptism. If not, how did the jailer know, and why was he baptized at such an inconvenient hour?

Some in the church today say we should not stress baptism; they say we should preach the word of the Lord and not baptism. Shall we preach their concept of the word of the Lord, or shall we preach it as Paul preached it? Shall we preach baptism as a natural, integral part of the word of the Lord, as Paul did, or shall we set it aside as our critics advise? What say ye? Paul told the Philippians to “do” as he had done; he told them to follow his example (Phil. 3:17; 4:9). Paul preached baptism as the word of the Lord (Acts 16:32, 33). If we “do” as he did, we will not “diminish ought from it.”

Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). The jailer believed and was baptized. That is “the word of the Lord” that Paul preached. Though nothing is said about grace, the cross and blood of Christ in the account, we are not going to say that we should ignore or give less emphasis to those things. The “whole counsel of God” must be preached and that includes grace, Christ, baptism and the church (Phil. 1:1; 2:5-11; 3:3-10). (Chart #9 will be concluded in the next issue.)

Chart:

Whats Wrong With The Church of Christ?

“Need more preaching about grace & Christ

Need less about Church & Baptism”

Christ  Grace Church – Baptism

Acts 8:5 Acts 8:12

Acts 8:35 Acts 8:36-39

Acts 16:30-32 Acts 16:33

1 Cor. 2:2; 4:15; 15:1-4 Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:13; 12:13

Acts 20:24 Acts 20:21, 25, 28

Gal. 1:6 Gal. 3:26, 27

Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 9, p. 9-12
May 5, 1994