by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: My monthly editorial reviews a current controversy that is troubling Filipino brethren, namely, "Is it necessary that baptism be administered by a faithful Christian?"
In April of this year, brother Ron Halbrook and I labored together for three weeks in the Philippines. It was an enjoyable and productive trip. As a follow-up, the theme section of the July issue of Truth Magazine is devoted to the Lord's work in the Philippines.
I have asked several Filipino brethren with whom we recently worked to submit articles. These men are seasoned and mature—devoted laborers in the Lord's vineyard. American brethren will benefit from their insights and observations.
My monthly editorial reviews a current controversy that is troubling Filipino brethren, namely, "Is it necessary that baptism be administered by a faithful Christian?" I am adapting the sermon, "The Message, Not the Messenger," that I presented at Binan, Laguna on April 28, and again at the Kapitbahayan church on April 29.
Sometimes people put too much stock in the messenger and too little emphasis on the message. Recently in social media, someone said, "Preachers should be handsome, not ugly. An ugly preacher might cause someone to lose their faith and turn away from God."
How foolish! Stature and physical attractiveness do not correlate with spirituality. King Saul was physically imposing, but lacked character (1 Sam. 10:23–24). The Messiah is described as having "no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him" (Isa. 53:2). Furthermore, do they not know that what matters is the message—not the messenger?
When God called Moses to return to Egypt, and command Pharaoh to "Let my people go!" he sought to avoid responsibility, by claiming that he was slow of speech and tongue. The power was with God, not the prophet (Exod. 4:10-17). Paul correctly understood that the power was in the message instead of the messenger. He trusted, not in his persuasiveness or great gifts of communication, but in the revelation of Christ that was made known through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:1-5). The testimony of Jesus was of far greater importance than the angelic messenger who communicated it to John (Rev. 17:1; 19:9-10).
The role of an evangelist is that of an insignificant servant who is charged with the responsibility of preaching the truth. Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth" (1 Cor. 3:1-9). As a mere servant, the messenger is unimportant. The message is all important. Evangelists should humbly seek to help wherever they can.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12, NASB).
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Pet. 1:22-23, NASB).
The sower went out to sow his seed (v. 5). Please note that no emphasis is given to the sower. It did not matter if he was tall or short, fat or skinny, white or brown, or for that matter, a good man or one with character deficiencies.
The seed is the word of God (v. 11). Imagine two farmers, one wicked and one good. If both sow the seed, what will be the result? In either case, the seed will sprout and grow
A fundamental rule of nature is that a seed reproduces after its kind. This is true for all living things: plants, fish, fowl, and animals (Gen. 1:11-12, 21, 25).
This principle also applies in the spiritual realm. If the seed of the gospel falls into a good and honest heart, it will produce a Christian. However, if you plant a different seed, it will produce different fruit. If you plant the Roman Catholic catechism in a person's heart, they will become a Catholic. If you plant the message of John Calvin, you will produce a Calvinist. If you plant the Book of Mormon in a person's heart, it will produce a Mormon. If you plant the doctrine of the Watchtower Society in the heart of a man or woman, they will become a Jehovah's Witnesses. However, if you preach and teach nothing but the gospel of Jesus Christ, the result will simply be a Christian.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:16-17, NASB).
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18, NASB).
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Cor. 1:22-25, NASB).
Hilkiah, the high priest, found a copy of the book of the law in the temple (2 King 22:8; Deut. 31:24-26). Shaphan, the scribe, read it in the presence of King Josiah (2 King 22:10). Realizing that Israel had incurred God's wrath through disobedience, the king was deeply grieved (2 Kings 22:11-13). Huldah, the prophetess, pronounced judgment upon the nation of Israel because of their apostasy (2 Kings 22:14-17). She also pronounced a blessing upon King Josiah, because his heart was tender and he humbled himself before God (2 Kings 22:18-20). After reading from the book of the law, King Josiah made a covenant with the people to obey the word of the Lord (2 Kings 23:1-3). Then the king instituted a variety of sweeping reforms (2 Kings 23:4-24). As a result, he is praised as a faithful king (2 Kings 23:25). Unfortunately, the nation had gone so far into apostasy that they would not be spared (2 Kings 23:26-27).
What lessons can we learn from this passage? First, recognize that the Old Testament was written for our learning (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11-12). Second, we should obey God while there is time and opportunity (2 Cor. 6:1-2; Heb. 3:13-15). Third, if we find we are in sin, how can we make things right? If an unbroken succession of faithful priests was necessary for Israel to perform the priestly service scripturally, they were without hope, because the line of faithful service had been broken. However, the power is in God's law, not in the spokesman, the priest or the people.
In like manner, those who argue that baptism is valid only if administered by a faithful Christian make the same mistake. Such would require an unbroken chain of faithful disciples all the way back to the apostles.
Roman Catholics make the same argument regarding apostolic succession. According to Catholic teaching, there is an unbroken line of succession for those who would serve as bishops. One cannot serve in this capacity unless they have received the laying on of hands from a duly appointed bishop, who was also appointed by someone duly recognized, etc., etc.—going all the way back to the apostles. We know this is false. Yet, the same argument is advanced regarding baptism!
The solution is not an unbroken chain. Like Israel of old, we must go back to the Bible (Isa. 8:19-20). The power is in the pattern, not the preacher. Follow the pattern of God's inspired word (2 Tim. 1:13-14). In humility, we should receive the implanted word, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21-25).
If the messenger hopes to benefit from his message, he must pay attention to himself as well as his teaching (1 Tim. 4:16; cf. 1 Cor. 9:26-27). If the messenger hopes to be saved, he must apply the word to his life. He must avoid hypocrisy, evil actions, corrupt speech, and sinful attitudes.
However, the power of salvation is in the message, not the messenger. If the messenger has a bad attitude, engages in gossip or slander, or is hypocritical in his conduct, he will not share fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, if such a person preaches the truth, there is reason to rejoice because Christ is being proclaimed (Phil. 1:12-18).
Finally, I offer a personal comment that I shared with one brother in the Philippines who is causing division on this issue: "I would like to share a word of advice that is commonly voiced by Christians in America: 'Let us remember, in matters of doctrine, let us seek unity; in matters of opinion, let us grant liberty; in all things, let us manifest charity.'
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn Mayberry have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. In addition to his local work, Mark serves as the editor of Truth Magazine. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
