From Gary... Beauty, power and re-creation

THE MEANING & SYMBOLISM OF
CHRYSANTHEMUM

With a history that dates back to 15th century B.C., chrysanthemum mythology is filled with a multitude of stories and symbolism. Named from the Greek prefix “chrys-“ meaning golden (its original color) and “-anthemion,” meaning flower, years of artful cultivation have produced a full range of colors, from white to purple to red. Daisy-like with a typically yellow center and a decorative pompon, chrysanthemums symbolize optimism and joy. They’re the November birth flower, the 13th weddinganniversary flower and the official flower of the city of Chicago. In Japan, there’s even a “Festival of Happiness” to celebrate this flower each year.

A symbol of the sun, the Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of the chrysanthemum’s petals to represent perfection, and Confucius once suggested they be used as an object of meditation. It’s said that a single petal of this celebrated flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.   http://www.teleflora.com/about-flowers/chrysanthemum.asp

Some things just seem to make an impression and this picture fills the bill.  The contrasting colors, the dewdrops and that impressive "sun" in the middle make for a feast of the eyes; something that just makes you want to look, and look harder and then just take in the beauty- forever!!!  And the realization that it took a lot of effort to cultivate such a regal flower just adds something to the mix. 

Some may say: So what, its just a flower. And of course they are correct- it is a flower. But, the point is this: You as a human being can appreciate this creation. You can feel, think, contemplate and just plain wonder at its beauty.  You can modify, classify and imagine even greater things than this wonder before us.  You are special; unlike any other creature upon this orb- You are a creation of God; and what a creation indeed!!!!

Now, consider the best man who ever lived!

Matthew, Chapter 8 (WEB)

 23  When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.  24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.  25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!” 

  26  He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. 

  27  The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

What kind of man, indeed...

Colossians, Chapter 1 (WEB)

9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;  12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;  13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;  14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;  15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  16 For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.  17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.  18 He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;  20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

If you and I as mere human beings can appreciate the beauty of a flower, then what about ourselves as a creation? Furthermore, what about our re-creation in Christ? To my knowledge, there is no other species which has the opportunity to be "born again"- to literally be spiritually re-created. And this is beautiful; beyond anything a mere flower could ever be!!!!

You know, I missed something- I should have picked a Rose instead!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading February 14

Bible Reading 

February 14

The World English Bible

Feb. 14

Genesis 45

Gen 45:1 Then Joseph couldn't control himself before all those who stood before him, and he cried, "Cause every man to go out from me!" No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

Gen 45:2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.

Gen 45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Does my father still live?" His brothers couldn't answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.

Gen 45:4 Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. "He said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

Gen 45:5 Now don't be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Gen 45:6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.

Gen 45:7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

Gen 45:8 So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Gen 45:9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don't wait.

Gen 45:10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children's children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.

Gen 45:11 There I will nourish you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have." '

Gen 45:12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

Gen 45:13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here."

Gen 45:14 He fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.

Gen 45:15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.

Gen 45:16 The report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

Gen 45:17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this. Load your animals, and go, travel to the land of Canaan.

Gen 45:18 Take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.'

Gen 45:19 Now you are commanded: do this. Take wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

Gen 45:20 Also, don't concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all of the land of Egypt is yours."

Gen 45:21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

Gen 45:22 He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing.

Gen 45:23 To his father, he sent after this manner: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.

Gen 45:24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed. He said to them, "See that you don't quarrel on the way."

Gen 45:25 They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.

Gen 45:26 They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart fainted, for he didn't believe them.

Gen 45:27 They told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them. When he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived.

Gen 45:28 Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Feb. 14, 15

Matthew 23

Mat 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,

Mat 23:2 saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses' seat.

Mat 23:3 All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don't do their works; for they say, and don't do.

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.

Mat 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,

Mat 23:6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

Mat 23:7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi' by men.

Mat 23:8 But don't you be called 'Rabbi,' for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.

Mat 23:9 Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.

Mat 23:10 Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.

Mat 23:11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.

Mat 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mat 23:13 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

Mat 23:14 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don't enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.

Mat 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves.

Mat 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.'

Mat 23:17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

Mat 23:18 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?'

Mat 23:19 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

Mat 23:20 He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it.

Mat 23:21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it, and by him who was living in it.

Mat 23:22 He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.

Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

Mat 23:24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!

Mat 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness.

Mat 23:26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.

Mat 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Mat 23:28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Mat 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,

Mat 23:30 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn't have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'

Mat 23:31 Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.

Mat 23:32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.

Mat 23:33 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?

Mat 23:34 Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;

Mat 23:35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.

Mat 23:36 Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Mat 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!

Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate.

Mat 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' "

From Mark Copeland... Wasn't Paul Sent To Preach, Not Baptize?

                              "BAPTISM"

                Wasn't Paul Sent To Preach, Not Baptize?

INTRODUCTION

1. Another objection commonly raised concerning the necessity of 
   baptism is based upon Paul's statement to the church at Corinth...
   a. This argument is taken from 1Co 1:14-17
   b. Special note is made of Paul's statement:  "For Christ did not      send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." - 1Co 1:17
   c. From which some conclude baptism must not be essential to 

      salvation

2. However, when one takes into account...
   a. The context of verses 10-13
   b. The context of Paul's preaching in Corinth as recorded in Ac 18:1-8
   ...it becomes apparent that Paul preached baptism, and his comments
      should not be taken as suggesting it was not essential

[In this study, let's take a closer look at the context in which Paul's
statement is found.  First, we notice that...]

I. PAUL WAS ADDRESSING A PROBLEM AT CORINTH

   A. WITH THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD PREACHERS...
      1. They were divided - 1Co 1:10-11
      2. Their division was a result of "preacher-itis" - 1Co 1:12
         a. They were claiming, "I am of Paul", "I am of Apollos", etc.
         b. As Paul expounded later, they were thinking too highly of the different preachers
            1) Their attitude was a mark of carnality - 1Co 3:3-4
            2) Preachers were simply fellow servants - 1Co 3:5-9
            3) Thus they were not to boast in men - 1Co 3:21-23

   B. IT APPEARS RELATED TO WHO BAPTIZED THEM...
      1. As indicated by Paul's rhetorical questions - 1Co 1:13
      2. E.g., "Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
      3. The implication is that those who were baptized were claiming
         to be disciples of those who personally baptized them

   C. WHICH IS WHY PAUL WAS GLAD HE PERSONALLY BAPTIZED FEW...
      1. Thankful that he baptized only Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas
      2. Lest any should say that he was baptizing in his own name - 1Co 1:14-15

[So Paul was addressing a problem at Corinth.  Are we to construe from
this that Paul didn't preach baptism, or didn't think it necessary?

To the contrary...]

II. PAUL'S PREACHING HAD RESULTED IN MANY BAPTISMS

   A. LUKE RECORDS PAUL'S WORK AT CORINTH...
      1. How he worked with Aquila and Priscilla - Ac 18:1-3
      2. How he reasoned in the synagogues, testified that Jesus is the
         Christ, and persisted despite rejection by unbelieving Jews - Ac 18:4-7

   B. LUKE RECORDS THE SUCCESS OF PAUL'S PREACHING...
      1. Crispus, ruler of the synagogue, and his household believed on
         the Lord (and whom Paul personally baptized) - Ac 18:8; cf. 1Co 1:14
      2. But also "many" of the Corinthians believed and were baptized - Ac 18:8

[Though Paul personally baptized few, his preaching resulted in many 
baptisms! Baptism must have played a significant role in his preaching.
That is one reason why we must not twist Paul's words to the church at
Corinth as implying that it was not necessary.

As we return to 1Co 1:13, we should also note that...]

III. PAUL'S WORDS DEMONSTRATE THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM

   A. NOTE CAREFULLY PAUL'S REASONING...
      1. For one to call himself after Paul (or any other man) required two things:
         a. Paul would have to be crucified for the person - 1Co 1:13
         b. One would have to be baptized in the name of Paul - 1Co 1:13
      2. Neither had happened, of course, which is why they should not
         be calling themselves after men

   [But consider what Paul's argument means positively...]

   B. TO BE CALLED AFTER CHRIST, TWO THINGS ARE REQUIRED...
      1. Christ would have to die for the person (which He did)
      2. The person would have to be baptized in the name of Christ!
         a. Have you been baptized in the name of Christ?
         b. If not, then you cannot rightfully be called a Christian!

[In the very context of a passage which many use to claim that baptism
is not essential, Paul implies one cannot be called a Christian unless
they have been baptized in the name of Christ!

How then are we to understand Paul's statement:  "For Christ did not 
send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..."?  The answer is easy...]

IV. PAUL WAS EMPHASIZING HIS ROLE AS AN APOSTLE

   A. PAUL WAS SENT TO PREACH, NOT BAPTIZE...
      1. As an apostle (which means "one sent"), Paul's role was to proclaim the gospel
         a. As explained to the Ephesians, he was given the task to 
            preach "the unsearchable riches of Christ" - Ep 3:8
         b. Which he did by inspiration - cf. Ga 1:11-12
      2. Though his preaching resulted in baptism (cf. Ac 18:8), it was
         not imperative that he do the baptizing
         a. Others could easily do that task (such as his traveling companions)
         b. Which evidently happened at Corinth, for while many were
            baptized, he personally baptized only a few

   B. PAUL USED A SEMITIC STYLE OF SPEAKING...
      1. Notice the words of Jesus in Jn 6:27
         a. "Do not labor for the food which perishes"
         b. "but for the food which endures to everlasting life"
         -- Jesus was not saying one should not work, but rather was
            emphasizing the importance of seeking after spiritual food over physical food
      2. Paul used similar style of speaking in 1Co 1:17
         a. "For Christ did not send me to baptize"
         b. "but to preach the gospel"
         -- Paul was not saying he was not to baptize, but that his 
            role as an apostle to preach the gospel was more important!

   C. HOW OTHERS HAVE UNDERSTOOD PAUL...
      1. "That is, not to baptize as my main business.  Baptism was not
         his principle employment, though he had a commission in common
         with others to administer the ordinance, and occasionally did it." - Barnes (Notes, on 1Co 1:17)
      2. "According to Semitic idiom, 'not so much to baptize, as...'.
         The word 'sent' involves the meaning 'made me an apostle'. The
         primary function of an apostle was 'to bear witness'." - Farrar (Commentary on 1Co 1:17)
      3. "Baptism was not his principal work, not the main business for
         which Paul was sent, it was part of his work, otherwise he
         would not have baptized Crispus, or Gaius, or 'the household
         of Stephanas,' but preaching was his principle work." - Poole (Annotations, 1Co 1:17)
      4. "...bearing mind Paul's other utterances about baptism, v.17
         is to be interpreted in the light of the Semitic manner of
         laying stress on an issue:  Christ sent Paul to preach the
         gospel rather than to baptize.  But this is no depreciation of
         the value of baptism." - Beasley-Murray (Baptism In The New
         Testament, p.181)

CONCLUSION

1. When one considers all the evidence we have about the situation at Corinth, we learn...
   a. That many were baptized as a result of Paul's preaching - Ac 18:8
   b. Paul was glad that he did not personally baptize many of them,
      because of the problem that later arose in Corinth - 1Co 1:14-15

2. In the passage so many use to say that baptism is not important...
   a. Paul was simply emphasizing his role as an apostle - 1Co 1:17
   b. Paul used reasoning which implies the necessity of baptism (to be
      called after Christ, one must be baptized into the name of Christ) - 1Co 1:13

Can you rightfully be called a Christian?  Yes, Christ was crucified 
for you; but have you been baptized in the name of Christ?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Mark Copeland... Baptism Is A Work, We Are Not Saved By Works!

                              "BAPTISM"

             Baptism Is A Work, We Are Not Saved By Works!

INTRODUCTION

1. A popular objection to the necessity of baptism involves 

   salvation and works...
   a. People often say, "Baptism is a work, and we are not saved by
      works!"
   b. Support for this objection is made by appealing to passages 

      like Ep 2:8-9

2. Certainly baptism is a thing done, and as such is a "work"...
   a. But is it a work of merit, by which one earns salvation?
   b. Or is it a work of faith, by which one receives salvation?

3. In considering the work involved in baptism, who is truly the one "at work"?
   a. Is it the man or woman who submits to being immersed?
   b. Or is it God who forgives and regenerates through the blood of Jesus and working of the Holy Spirit?

[When one carefully considers what the Bible teaches, there is no 
contradiction between the idea that we are saved by faith and not 
works, and at the same time saved by baptism.  

In this study I hope to make that clear.  Let me begin by pointing out
that...]

I. BAPTISM IS A WORK OF FAITH, NOT MERIT

   A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF "WORKS"...
      1. There are works of "merit"
         a. These are works done to "earn" something
         b. Those who have done such works believe they "deserve" 
            something; e.g., those who believe they will be saved:
            1) Because they kept the Ten Commandments
            2) Because they went to church, did good deeds, etc.
         c. It is these kinds of works Paul has under consideration in Ro 3:27-28; Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5a
            1) There is no way we can "earn" or merit" salvation!
            2) All the good we might do cannot outweigh even one sin!  - cf. Jm 2:10
      2. There are also works of "faith"
         a. These are things done to "receive" something
         b. Those who have done such works believe they "deserve" nothing!
            1) They understand their obedience did not earn or merit their salvation
            2) They understand their salvation rests upon God's mercy 

               and grace, not because God owes it to them!
         c. Such works can rightly be called "works of God"
            1) Of which faith itself is called by Jesus - Jn 6:28-29
            2) Other works of faith commanded by God include repentance 

               and confession - cf. Ac 17:30; Ro 10:9-10
         d. Though such works as faith, repentance and confession are commanded...
            1) They are not meritorious works; we do not earn salvation through them
            2) They are works God has ordained we do to receive His salvation
            -- When all is said and done, salvation is still by God's grace and mercy!

   [What is said of faith, repentance, and confession may also be said
   of baptism...]

   B. BAPTISM IS A WORK OF FAITH, NOT MERIT...
      1. Baptism requires faith
         a. The necessity of faith was emphasized by Jesus - Mk 16:16
         b. Philip made it a prerequisite to baptism - Ac 8:36-37
      2. Baptism is an act of faith by which one receives (not earn)...
         a. The forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit  - Ac 2:38
         b. Union with Christ in His death, raised with Him to new life - Ro 6:3-4; Ga 3:27
      3. That baptism is not a work of merit is emphasized in Tit 3:4-5
         a. While God saves us "through the washing of regeneration and
            renewing of the Holy Spirit" (an allusion to baptism)...
         b. He does not save us by "works of righteousness", i.e., by works of merit
      -- Thus baptism is clearly is not some work of righteousness done to earn or merit salvation!

[Nowhere does the Bible suggest that baptism is a work of merit, by
which God owes us salvation upon the basis of our baptism.  Like faith,
repentance, and confession, baptism is simply an act of faith by which we receive salvation.  

And why is this so?  Because...]

II. BAPTISM INVOLVES THE WORKING OF GOD

   A. GOD IS AT WORK IN BAPTISM...
      1. We are buried and raised with Christ "through faith IN THE WORKING OF GOD" - Col 2:12
      2. It is God who does the work, not man! - Col 2:13
         a. Man is dead in his sins
         b. But God makes him alive, forgiving him of sins
      -- Thus it is God who saves us, not we ourselves, which He does
         through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Tit 3:5

   B. THINK OF BAPTISM AS A "SPIRITUAL OPERATION"...
      1. An operation in which the "Great Physician" does His work
      2. When one needs physical surgery, it requires faith in the 
         skills of a physician to submit to the operating table
         a. When the surgery is over, have I "earned" or "merited" my healing?  No!
         b. It required both faith in the doctor and a willingness to submit to him!
      3. So my faith in God and in the death of His Son for my sins
         prompted me to submit to the "spiritual operation" of baptism,
         in which God did His wonderful work of cleansing by the blood
         of Jesus and regeneration by the Holy Spirit!

CONCLUSION

1. When we understand that baptism...
   a. Is a work of faith, not a work of merit
   b. Is a working of God at which time we receive salvation, not earn salvation
   -- We will not reject the necessity of baptism under the mistaken
      idea that it is some work by which we try to earn salvation

2. Sadly, many people reject baptism because they see it as something you DO...
   a. In reality, baptism is the most PASSIVE act of faith required to
      receive Christ and the blessings He provides
   b. I.e., "believe", "repent", "confess Christ", are all things we DO
   c. On the other hand, baptism is something DONE TO US

3. Consider this...
   a. "Faith," "repentance," and "confession" are all ACTIVE acts of 
      faith on our part
   b. "Baptism" is but a PASSIVE act of faith in which we submit to the
      working of God in our lives (cf. Col 2:12)
   -- To object to baptism because it requires man to "do" something
      would require one to object to "faith," "repentance," and 
      "confession," for they also require man to "do" something!

4. Even Martin Luther, who coined the phrase "salvation by faith only",
   understood that salvation by grace through faith did not preclude
   the necessity of baptism:
   a. In answer to the question, "What gifts or benefits does Baptism
      bestow?", Luther replied in his Small Catechism, "It effects forgiveness of sins."
   b. He also wrote concerning the sinner:  "Through Baptism he is
      bathed in the blood of Christ and is cleansed from sins."
   c. Again, he wrote:  "To put it most simply, the power, effect,
      benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save."
   d. Responding to those who call this a kind of works-salvation, he 
      said "Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for 
      salvation.  Baptism, however, is not our work but God's." -- (as
      quoted by Jack W. Cottrell in Baptism And The Remission of Sins, College Press, 1990, p. 32-34)

So to those who say, "Baptism is a work, and we are not saved by works", I would reply:

      "Baptism is a work of God, and we are saved by faith in the
      working of God!"

Have you submitted to the working of God in baptism?  If you believe
that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, have repented of your sins
and are willing to confess your faith in Him as the Son of God, you can
receive the working of God in your life today!

   "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash 
   away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Mark Copeland... Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism!

                              "BAPTISM"

              Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism!

INTRODUCTION

1. Another objection to the necessity of baptism involves making a
   distinction between baptism in the Spirit and baptism in water;
   this view proclaims...
   a. "The baptism which saves is a baptism in the Spirit at the 

      point of faith"
   b. "Passages like Ro 6:3-7, Ga 3:27, etc., refer to Spirit 

      baptism, not water baptism"

2. Those upholding this view point out...
   a. There are many different types of baptisms in the Bible
   b. We should not assume that water baptism is always the subject
      under consideration

3. As expressed by one proponent of this view...
   a. "There is a way to distinguish between water baptism and Spirit
      Baptism in those scriptures which do not specifically tell which
      type is being discussed."
   b. "That way is this: if the passage is talking about being placed
      into Christ, then it is talking about Spirit Baptism, not Water
      Baptism, for Spirit Baptism is how we are placed into Christ."
   c. "...in Romans 6, for example, it is obvious that the context is
      being placed into Christ and the passage dwells on the believer's
      identification with Christ, with His death, and with His
      resurrection. In this passage, the believer is not baptized into
      WATER, but into the death of Christ." - Baptism and Salvation,
      Charles T. Buntin
   -- Of course, this argument presumes the very point to be proven

[There are several problems that I have with this effort to explain
away the necessity of baptism in water for the remission of sins.  To
begin with, the Bible teaches...]

I. THERE IS ONE BAPTISM

   A. THE BIBLE DOES DESCRIBE MANY BAPTISMS...
      1. At the very least there are six...
         a. The baptism of Moses (Israel) - 1Co 10:1-2
         b. The baptism of John, a baptism in water - Mk 1:4-5
         c. The baptism of the Holy Spirit - Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16; Ac 1:5;2:1-4; 10:44,45; 11:15-16
         f. The baptism of fire (judgment) - Mt 3:11; Lk 3:16,17
         d. The baptism of suffering (persecution) - Mt 20:20-33; Lk 12:50
         e. The baptism of the Great Commission, which was a baptism in
            water - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 8:12-13,35-38; 10:47-48; 22:16
      2. Some include two more...
         a. The baptism of Noah, metaphorically speaking, which involved water - 1Pe 3:20
         b. The baptism of Jesus, which involved water and the Spirit - Mt 3:16-17

   B. THERE IS NOW JUST ONE BAPTISM...
      1. In describing the unity of the Spirit...
         a. Paul proclaims there is one baptism - Ep 4:3-7
         b. Just as there is only one Lord, one faith, one hope, etc.
      2. To which of the six (or eight) baptisms was Paul referring?
         a. I believe we can safely rule out all but two
         b. The issue boils down to this:  Is the one baptism of Ep 4:5...
            1) The baptism of the Holy Spirit?
            2) The baptism of the Great Commission?
            -- Or might there actually be a connection between these
               two, with the end result there being one baptism with
               two elements:  water and the Spirit?

[Whichever, we cannot have two or more baptisms; there is only one
baptism!  Now let me explain why regarding the one baptism...]

II. IT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

   A. WHY THE BAPTISM OF THE GREAT COMMISSION...?
      1. This is the baptism...
         a. Commanded by Jesus
            1) For people of all nations - Mt 28:19
            2) For every person in the world - Mk 16:15-16
         b. Commanded by the apostles in response to the gospel
            1) As proclaimed to the Jews at Pentecost - Ac 2:38
            2) As commanded by Peter to the Gentiles - Ac 10:48
         -- Indeed, every example of conversion described in detail in
            the book of Acts involves this baptism!
      2. If there is only one baptism...
         a. It must involve this one, for it is commanded of all who would come to Christ!
         b. Otherwise we must throw it out (as some have done)

   B. WHAT ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...?
      1. This is a difficult subject, about which the Bible actually says very little...
         a. John promised that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit - Mt 3:11
         b. Jesus promised that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit - Ac 1:5
         c. But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is then explicitly mentioned in just three places
            1) At the conversion of Cornelius - Ac 10:44-45; 11:15-16
            2) Which reminded Peter of Pentecost - Ac 11:15-16; 2:1-4
      2. This has led to much confusion about what the baptism of the Spirit is...
         a. Some say that it was an event that occurred only twice
            1) On the day of Pentecost, and only upon the apostles - Ac 2
            2) At the conversion of Cornelius and his household, the first Gentiles - Ac 10,11
         b. Some say it is an event that occurs at every conversion
            1) When a person is saved, they are that moment "baptized" with the Holy Spirit
            2) Occurs to all who become Christians, and no miraculous manifestations need be present
         c. Others say it is an event that occurs after conversion
            1) A "second work of grace" that must be sought diligently
            2) Many people understand "speaking in tongues" to be a
               sign of this "baptism of the Holy Spirit"
            3) Some even say that it is necessary to be truly saved
      3. I am persuaded the baptism of the Holy Spirit...
         a. Refers to the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:1-21
         b. Was a one-time event, but with ramifications lasting throughout the gospel age
            1) In which the Holy Spirit is now available in some way to
               all whom God calls through the gospel - 2Th 2:13-14; Tit 3:7
            2) For those who receive the Spirit, the Spirit then
               empowers whom He wills to the degree He wills - 1Co 12:4-13
               a) For the servants of God used in the revelation and
                  confirmation of His Word, the Spirit imparted
                  "spiritual gifts" (this work of the Spirit was
                  temporary, and ended once God's revelation was completed)
               b) For all of the servants of God, the Spirit serves as
                  the "instrumental agent" by which God strengthens and From Mark Copeland... 

                  Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism! blesses them (this work of the Spirit 

                  continues today, and will until Christ returns)
         -- This view presumes that one receives the Spirit at baptism
            (see below) - Ac 2:38-39; 1Co 12:13; Tit 3:5-7
      4. So while at first there may be have been two baptisms spoken of by Jesus...
         a. The baptism of the Great Commission - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16
         b. The baptism of the Spirit - Ac 1:5
         ...once the Spirit was poured out, only "one baptism" remained,
         which was that baptism commanded of people in every nation!

[Having declared the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" a promise that was
fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, let me emphasize concerning the
"baptism of the Great Commission"...]

III. IT INVOLVES BOTH WATER AND THE SPIRIT

   A. THAT IT INVOLVES WATER...
      1. Is evidenced by conversion of the Ethiopian - Ac 8:35-38
      2. Is made clearer by the command of Peter - Ac 10:47-48
      3. Is alluded to by Paul and Peter in their epistles - Ep 5:26;

         From Mark Copeland... Spirit Baptism 

         Saves Us, Not Water Baptism! 1Pe 3:20-21

   B. THAT IT INVOLVES THE SPIRIT...
      1. Is indicated when Jesus declared that one must be "born again" - Jn 3:3-5
         a. To be born "of water and the Spirit"
         b. Not two births, but one birth with two elements (water and Spirit)
      2. Is made clearer when Paul wrote to Titus - Tit 3:5-6
         a. God saved us "through the washing of regeneration and
            renewing of the Holy Spirit"
         b. That washing (a clear allusion to baptism) involved a
            regeneration and renewing of the Spirit!
      3. Is seen in Paul's remarks to the Corinthians - 1Co 12:13
         a. By the Spirit were we baptized into the one body
         b. In baptism, the Spirit not only regenerates, but
            incorporates us into the body of Christ!

[The baptism of the Great Commission is more than just an immersion in
water.  At the moment the penitent believer is lowered into the water,
the Spirit is very much at work in renewing, regenerating, and
incorporating us into the Body of Christ.  In other words...]

IV. IT HAS SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

   A. IT INVOLVES A BURIAL INTO THE DEATH OF CHRIST...
      1. As Paul explains in Ro 6:3-7
         a. Baptism into Christ is a burial into His death
         b. In baptism we are crucified with Christ
         c. In baptism we thus die to sin, and rise to walk in newness of life
      2. Some contend Paul is teaching what water baptism symbolizes...
         a. That it pictures what took place when we were saved before baptism
         b. That it depicts the Spirit baptism which occurred at the moment of faith
         -- But if so, then we have two baptisms, and Paul taught there was only one!
      3. Others say Paul is describing Spirit baptism...
         a. That water baptism (i.e., the baptism of the Great
            Commission) is not even under consideration
         b. That this passage is depicting what happens before water baptism
         -- Again, we would have two baptisms, not one!
      4. This passage describes what happens when a person is baptized into Christ...
         a. Since there is only one baptism, it must be referring to that baptism
         b. Since the one baptism is the baptism of the Great
            Commission, Paul is describing the spiritual significance
            of what takes place when one is baptized in water!

   B. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS OF SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE...
      1. The one baptism (of the Great Commission) involves...
         a. A cutting away of sin - Col 2:11-13
         b. A putting on of Christ - Ga 3:27 From Mark Copeland..Spirit Baptism Saves Us, Not Water Baptism!

      2. Again, some contend these passages are describing...
         a. "Spirit baptism" at the point of faith
         b. Not the baptism of the Great Commission
         -- But this makes two baptisms, when there is only one!
      3. Since the baptism of the Great Commission involves both water and the Spirit...
         a. There is no reason God (i.e., the Spirit) could not be at
            work when a person is immersed in water
         b. God has chosen to use baptism in water to be the point in
            time in which His Spirit does His work of regeneration and renewal! - Tit 3:5; Ac 22:16

CONCLUSION

1. Some people want to "have their cake and eat it too"...
   a. They want to say passages like Ro 6:3-7; Ga 3:27; Col 2:11-13 are
      describing "Spirit baptism", not "water baptism"
   b. But then appeal to these passages when they seek to describe
      "water baptism" as symbolic of "Spirit baptism" which has already occurred

2. Note well:  If these passages are not discussing "water baptism"
   (i.e., the baptism of the Great Commission)...
   a. We have no Scripture that tells us what is the true significance
      and meaning of the baptism commanded by Christ and His apostles!
   b. The Lord has commanded water baptism, with no explanation as to what it means!
   -- Any explanation as to the meaning and purpose of the baptism of
      the Great Commission is pure conjecture and without any scriptural basis!

3. The "unity of the Spirit" proclaims there is only one baptism...
   a. Not two baptisms, one of the Spirit at the time of salvation, and
      one later for some unexplained reason
   b. But one baptism, involving both water and the Spirit, in response
      to the preaching of Christ and His apostles

4. This one baptism...
   a. Is a rebirth involving both water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5
   b. Is for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38; 22:16
   c. Is a baptism in water - Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
   d. Involves the Spirit incorporating us into the body of Christ - 1Co 12:13
   e. Is a burial into the death of Christ in which we are crucified with Him - Ro 6:3-7
   f. Clothes us with Christ - Ga 3:27
   e. Is a spiritual circumcision, in which our sins are cut away - Col 2:11-13
   f. Is a washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, who
      was poured out as promised by Jesus - Tit 3:5-7; Ac 1:5; 2:1-4
   g. Saves us, not through some physical cleansing, but by the resurrection of Jesus! - 1Pe 3:21

Should we be surprised that the Great Commission of our Lord contains a
great command having great significance?

   "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
   them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
   Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded
   you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Mt 28:19-20)

   And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel
   to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
   but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mk 16:15-16)

   'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash
   away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (Ac 22:16)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011