Truth Magazine

By David Dann

In the book of Acts, the inspired historian records that, “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Therefore, the name “Christian” refers to a disciple of Christ who has been forgiven of his sins and brought into a peaceful relationship with God. It is obvious from the context of Acts 11:26 that a Christian is one who is a faithful member of the Lord’s church in a given location. From time to time, the question of whether or not there are faithful Christians among the various denominations is brought before us. This question is nothing new, for in 1837 Alexander Camp- bell wrote:

I observe that if there be no Christians in the Protestant sects, there are certainly none among the Romanists, none among the Jews, Turks, Pagans; and therefore no Christians in the world except ourselves, or such of us as keep, or strive to keep, all the commandments of Jesus. Therefore, for many centuries there has been no church of Christ, no Christians in the world; and the promises concerning the everlasting kingdom of Messiah have failed, and the gates of hell have prevailed against his church! This cannot be; and therefore there are Christians among the sects (Millennial Harbinger 411 [1837]).
We are living in a time in which those who advocate tolerance and acceptance of diverse and contradictory religious views are considered noble. Since religious tolerance and acceptance is currently looked upon with such favor, the most popular answer to the question under consideration would certainly be the same answer as that given by Campbell.

However, It is important that we base our views upon the word of God, rather than on the popular opinions of men. When pondering the answer to this important question, we need to consider:

Jesus In Relation To Denominations

1. Jesus did not die for any denominations. Prior to his death and resurrection, Jesus made the statement, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). The Lord’s church was brought into existence on the Day of Pentecost following his resurrection (Acts 2:47). Paul assures us that, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). Paul also encouraged the Ephesian elders to, “to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The Scriptures clearly establish the fact that Christ gave his own life and blood to purchase his church. Since there were no denominations in existence in the first century A.D., we can be sure that Christ did not give his life for any of them.

2. Denominationalism is against Scripture. The very spirit of denominationalism is one of division and sectarianism. In direct opposition to this, Jesus prayed for his followers, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). The apostle Paul condemned the spirit of denominationalism in the church at Corinth by writing, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).

What Is Required In Becoming A Christian

1. The New Testament clearly states what one must do in order to become a Christian. In speaking to the saints at Rome concerning their conversion to Christianity, Paul writes, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). Obviously, men are expected to obey the gospel message in order to become Christians. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

2. Denominations teach error on this subject. Many denominational groups teach that one is made a Christian and is saved by faith in Christ alone. On the other hand, James says that man is justified, “not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Some groups have replaced true baptism, which is immersion in water, with sprinkling. Others have neglected the need for true repentance in conversion (Acts 2:38). It doesn’t take long to realize that what the Bible requires of individuals to become Christians is a far cry from what is required by the creeds of denominationalism.

What It Means To Be A Christian

1. The term “Christian” literally means, “Christ-like.” Those who would properly wear the name “Christian” must be of the disposition to live as Jesus lived. This is most clearly defined by Jesus’ attitude toward the will of the Father. In regard to this, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). In other words, those who claim to be Christians must be disposed to always do those things that are pleasing to God.

2. Denominations prevent individuals from living like Christians in the true sense. In various forms and in various ways, denominations teach and practice error with regard to salvation, sin, and the work and worship of the church. To many denominations, the Bible is regarded as an outdated antique that has been replaced by human opinion. Little regard is given to the authority of God’s word, and little effort is made toward truly doing those things that please the Father. As a result, it is impossible for those who are involved in such groups to truly live as Christians (2 John 9).

Conclusion

While it is possible for a person to truly obey the gospel in a denominational setting, such would surely be the exception to the rule. If we wear the name of Christ, then we are expected to obey Christ. “‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,’ saith the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). 

2121 Rathburn Rd. East, Apt. 106, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 2X3
ddann@idirect.com

By Wayne S. Walker

There is a theory that has been gaining a degree of popularity in come circles among brethren recently which claims that everything taught by Jesus during his personal ministry on earth pertained only to the Jews under the Old Testament and thus has no application to us under the gospel as an expression of God’s will for us today. This is a relatively new doctrine to me, although it may have been around longer than I am aware. Unfortunately, there are some among “conservative” churches who have apparently accepted it, perhaps altered or adapted it to suit their own needs, and are now teaching it too.

The claim is made that Jesus did not personally reveal or establish New Testament doctrine during his ministry to Israel as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and that only the teaching found in Acts 2 through Revelation 22 is the new covenant of Christ and the basis for our faith, salvation, and worship. Therefore, I wish to present a short series of articles to examine this issue in more detail.

One argument made is that a person’s will does not come into force until after he is dead, and we all recognize that this is true. “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives” (Heb. 9:16-17). Therefore, it is alleged that nothing which Jesus said before his death can be an expression of his will for mankind today because that did not come into force until after the cross.

To begin with, we do recognize that the Old Testament went out of force when Jesus died on the cross. At the time Jesus shed his blood, he broke “down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances” and did so “through the cross” (Eph. 2:13-16). In fact, Paul writes, “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). In its place, he established a new covenant (Heb. 8:6-7). And, as we have already seen, the New Testament could not go into force until after Christ died. So the issue is not when the Old Testament law went out of force or when the New Testament went into force. We agree that Jesus lived and died under the Old Testament law.

However, some expressions of the content of Jesus’ New Testament were definitely made known before his death. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you” (John 14:23-25). Here, Jesus told his apostles, before he died, that at least some of the words which he had already spoken to them while present with them would be the basis upon which both he and the Father would come into a person and make their home with him and therefore must be kept.

Consider some examples. Jesus promised to build his church (Matt. 16:18). Is the building of the church a New Testament concept or is this merely an explanation of the Old Testament law? Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper (Mark 14:22-25). How could Jesus say, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many,” if only those things stated after Pentecost can pertain to the new covenant? And Jesus taught about the new birth (John 3:3-5). Is this applicable only to the Jews, or is this an expression by Christ during his lifetime of something that would apply after his death? The answer to this question is found in 1 Peter 1:23. Peter said that what Jesus taught about the new birth would be applicable under the New Testament.

Some reply by saying that this is like Old Testament prophecies of the church. If the Old Testament could predict the church, but we are not under the Old Testament law, then Christ could talk about building his church, or the coming Lord’s supper in the church, or being born again into the church, and yet the words of Christ before his death are not necessarily law for us. However, this overlooks the fact that God makes a big distinction between hearing the words of Old Testament prophets and hearing the words of Christ. In Matthew 17:1-5, when Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah before Peter, James, and John, God himself said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” We are to hear Christ, rather than Moses and Elijah. But that would not be true if what Christ said pertained only to the Jews, because what Moses and Elijah taught pertained only to the Jews too. Hence, what Christ said, even while on earth, is implied to be different.

Thus, this helps us to understand how God speaks to us today. God speaks to us by his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). Therefore, because God has chosen to speak to us by his Son, it would seem that what the Son himself had to say is important. What did the Son have to say? “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15). Did that which was spoken by the Lord pertain only to the law of Moses? No, what was spoken by the Lord pertained to the gospel which both the Jews then and all people ever since then must believe.

Therefore, the teachings of Jesus, spoken while he was alive and recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, do express some of the terms of his will or testament, even before those terms actually came into effect. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35). If this theory is correct, then the words of Jesus did pass away at the cross! “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Yet, how can what Jesus said judge us at the last day if what he said pertains only to the Jews under the Old Testament?

The argument has been stated that if Jesus actually revealed any of the terms of his will before he died, then the people to whom he spoke were under two testaments at the same time. But this is simply not true. A person makes up his will before he dies, and may even reveal some or perhaps all of the terms, including any conditions that may have to be met, of that will while still alive, even though the will does not actually go into force until after his death. I guarantee that this will never happen, but to illustrate, suppose that my father called me and said, “Son, I have several thousand dollars and am stating in my will that this money will be yours if you bury me in a certain place after I die.”

There is absolutely nothing that I can do about this request now, because the will is not in force. But my father has stated something that is in his will and must be adhered to after his death to gain the benefit. And so it is with Christ and his will or New Testament. The fact that it had no power while the Testator lived necessarily implies that it did exist in some form while the Testator lived. Christ’s will may not have been fully revealed until later, but it did exist, and may well have been expressed, before his death, even though it did not actually come into force until after he died. And this is exactly what I believe to be the case.

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Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p22 February 17, 2000

By Kenneth E. Thomas

When you see the three letter word “one,” what comes to your mind? Do you immediately think of multiple choices or do you think in the singular? If you are of sound and sane mind it is obvious that you think in the “singular.” One means one! It doesn’t mean two, three, four, five, or thirteen hundred and one! In the spiritual realm unless there is reason to interpret it otherwise, words are to be taken as literally meaning exactly what they say. Paul writing by divine inspiration in Ephesians 4:1-6, says there is “one body” (v. 4). This agrees perfectly with what Jesus stated to the Jews of his day, when he said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this (Jewish, ket) fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd” (John 10:16). There are as many shepherds as there are folds or bodies. How many is that? “One.” 

God’s Platform For Unity

The passages in our text for this study have been referred to as “God’s seven plank platform for religious unity.” Look at it again. (1) One body, (2) One Spirit, (3) One hope, (4) One Lord, (5) One faith, (6) One baptism, and (7) One God and Father. We shall develop this article based on this particular context. We will use others in the process of developing this study but always come back here for the source of our thoughts.

Christ’s Prayer for Unity

Who is so insensitive, as to disregard the prayer of Jesus Christ as it were in the very shadow of the cross, who prayed fervently for his apostles and then for all of those who would believe in him through their word, “. . . that they all may be one; as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:17, 20-21)? I find it difficult to believe that a true lover of Jesus Christ would disregard that which meant so much to him, and for which he fervently prayed to his Father and ours, the unity of his followers on the word of the Apostles! In spite of this prayer there are religious folks who will thank God for the many churches (thereby approving of the opposite to Christ’s prayer) so they can find the one that suits them! How about the one that suits the Lord? The church of our Lord was planned by God from eternity (Eph. 3:8-11). Christ is called the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 5:6). The blood that he shed as the Lamb of God is the purchase price for the saved, his church (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25).

One Body — The Church

As we speak of the church is this vein of thought, we speak of a relationship, not an organization per se. It is the “house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). We should notice only briefly that there is organization in the New Testament church, but it is the local congregation (Phil. 1:1-2; Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). In this lesson we are speaking of the church in its “universal” sense, the rule of Christ in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. There is no earthly head or headquarters for this relationship. It is the kingdom of God under Christ the king (1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 1:9; 17:14). Reconciliation unto God can be found nowhere else but “in one body by the cross” (Eph. 2:11-17). God is glorified through Christ in no other relationship but his church (Eph. 3:21). Christ himself is the founder of this one body, his church (Matt. 16:13-19).

“. . . No Differing Denominations Existed . . .”
The above is a partial quote from page 22 of the Standard Manual for Baptist Churches by Edward T. Hiscox, D.D. Here Mr. Hiscox acknowledges the fact stated already in this lesson concerning the one body or church that Jesus built, then makes the fatal admission to follow which is a death blow to human denominations of any and every type or name.

It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism,” and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, “baptism was the door into the church.” Now, it is different; and while the churches (Southern Baptist, ket) are desirous of receiving members, they are wary and cautious that they do not receive unworthy persons. The churches (local Southern Baptist Churches, ket) therefore have candidates come before them, make their statement, give their “experience,” and then their reception is decided by a vote of the members. And while they cannot become members without baptism, yet it is the vote of the body which admits them to its fellowship on receiving baptism. 

We take issue with some of this quote, but for the most part it properly represents how it was before man changed things. We do not believe that a “convert” is to be baptized. This suggests that one is first converted and then baptized. This has the “cart before the horse” as we will show in greater detail as we progress to that part of Ephesians 4:1-6 which speaks of the “one baptism.”

For the first few hundred years after Christ’s church/kingdom was established one was either a Christian, and as such a member of Christ’s church or a citizen in his kingdom, or one was yet lost and a citizen of Satan’s kingdom. Through a process of departures from “the faith” once delivered, there grew out of Christ’s one true church what, when fully organized in A.D. 606, became known as the Roman Catholic church. This was the first human denomination. Then following this in 1054 a division in the Roman church led to the formation of what we know today as the Greek Orthodox church. Later after many more departures from God’s New Testament teachings causing such good men as Martin Luther and others to rebel against Roman Catholicism, the “Protestant Reformation” was born in about 1530. All Protestant churches are less than five hundred years old. Like the Catholic church, they came into being hundreds of years after Jesus had established his church exactly as he wanted it to be regarding its name, organization, worship, mission, etc. Uninspired men cannot improve on God’s plan for humanity. Any attempt to do so results in the formation of doctrines and organizations unknown to the New Testament and those who so act stand condemned before God for departures from the ancient faith of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:6-11; 2 John 9-11; Rom. 16:16-18; Rev. 22:18-19; Ps. 127:1; Matt. 15:13). 

One Spirit

To have unity of revelation, we must have a common source from which to drink spiritually speaking. That one source is the Holy Spirit. Both Peter and Paul affirmed to speak or write as they were “guided by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:12-21; 1 Cor. 2:1-16; Gal. 1:11). Jesus promised that he would send the Spirit to guide those whom he chose into “all truth” (John 16:12-13). We believe He did exactly as he promised. This means that “all spiritual truth” is found solely in the New Testament for those who desire to follow and to please our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:25). For one today to depart from New Testament authority is to depart from Christ and to stand condemned for so doing (Gal. 1:6-9; Rom. 16:17-18). Peter quoted from Moses’ promise to Israel (and the world) concerning “another prophet like unto Moses to whom men must submit or be destroyed from among the people.” (See Deut. 18:18-19; Acts 3:22-23.) Add to the thoughts found in those two contexts the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-4). God speaks to man today only through Jesus Christ, his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). His Son chose the people to whom he sent the Holy Spirit and as we have seen they were “guided into all truth.” If Christ is guiding your beliefs and practices today, he is doing it as you follow “the apostle’s teaching” (Acts 2:42; 15:24b). Jesus said to his apostles, “He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despises Me despiseth Him that sent Me” (Luke 10:16).

It is an “all or nothing at all” proposition. You have not the right with God’s approval to choose to accept some things Christ through his apostles has bound on mankind and reject something else. To reject anything taught in the apostle’s doctrine is to reject both the Father and the Son. Hence we read in 2 John 9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 

When men write creeds, articles of faith, catechisms, disciplines, etc. to which they appeal for their beliefs and practices in religion, since they all differ one with the other, and since every one of them disagrees with plain New Testament teaching, you can readily see why it is impossible to obey the prayer of Christ for unity, or the teaching of inspired men that we should “all speak the same things . . . and that there be no divisions among you”(John 17:17, 20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Just as long as these uninspired barriers exist, that’s how long religious division will be perpetuated. Men must learn to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Men must learn that they must not “think of men above that which is written” (1 Cor. 4:6).

One Hope

Many people differ as regards that for which they hope at the end of this age or the end of their life here on earth. The New Testament holds out only “one hope” to mankind. What is that hope? Christ said it was to inhabit the mansions he has even now gone to prepare and will give to those who love and obey him (John 14:1-6). Peter spoke of a “living hope” in 1 Peter 1:3, and said this hope is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (v. 4). Some take what Peter wrote in his second epistle and make it contradict what he plainly said here which agrees with the hope Christ himself offered to sorrowing disciples in the passage above. Great numbers of would be followers of Christ are taught that the “new heavens and the new earth” (2 Pet. 3:13) are here on this planet which has been cleansed by fire. No, no! Peter would not say in the first epistle it was incorruptible and reserved in heaven if it was a physical worldly habitation on this earth thereby totally contradicting himself! If man’s rewards are on this earth then they aren’t in heaven as Jesus said. 

The premillennial doctrine contradicts not only these passages, but makes Jesus’ statement “My kingdom is not of this world . . .” (John 18:36) meaningless and contradictory also to what he promised just before leaving his apostles and disciples to return to the Father in heaven. He said that he would come again, and “receive you (which would include the rest who are faithful) unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). The reward is where he now is. Where is he? Stephen saw him “standing at God’s right hand” in heaven (Acts 7:55). Peter placed Jesus “on David’s throne at God’s right hand” on Pentecost (Acts 2:30-36). Premillennialism would take Christ off David’s throne in heaven and place him on the footstool earth! What a demotion of the Son of God! The Premillennial “hope” is a vain hope. It will never be realized by anyone. The doctrine of only 144,000 inheriting heaven is likewise a perversion of the Bible’s teaching, created by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, not by a proper interpretation of the word of God. 

The Bible rather teaches “whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17; 7:9). No inspired writer ever held to the doctrine limiting the number who are offered heaven as a reward. The number who will inherit heaven is limited to the obedient (Rev. 14:13; 22:14). It is those who “do His will.” It is those who “die in the Lord.” Do you have this biblical hope? You do only if you have obeyed the gospel and have been reconciled unto God in one body by the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; Eph. 2:13-16). 

One Lord

Who would deny that Jesus Christ is the “one Lord” in the above text? Surely no Bible believer. This being true, there is one who has the authority to command us and from whom we must have leave or authority before we may act in a manner pleasing to him. Paul said this in Colossians 3:17. Jesus himself said, “All authority is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23). This promotes unity of authority. All who abide in his teaching, as we have seen, have “both the Father and the Son.” Those who do not act by his authority, sin (1 John 3:4; Matt. 7:13-28). Many desire to have Jesus as their Savior, but refuse his authority over their lives! This can’t be! He asked some of his day, “And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46, see also John 14:15, 21, 23). Why some folks think they can be pleasing to God while rejecting the teachings, hence the authority, of Christ over their lives is a mystery to anyone who knows anything about the teaching of the New Testament.

One Faith

This leads to unity of doctrine. There are “many faiths” on the religious scene even among those who profess belief in Jesus as “the Christ.” Each of these many “faiths” is found inscribed in some creed, catechism, discipline, manual, etc. We said something about this under the heading of “unity of revelation” given by the Holy Spirit. We will simply reinforce this idea that there is “one faith” found in the New Testament. This faith is called by several things. It is called “the faith” (Acts 6:7; Jude 3). It is called simply “faith” in (Gal. 3:23). It is called “the gospel.” It is called the “word of truth.” In other words there is only one body of divine truth and it is found in the entire New Testament (John 16:12-13; Jas. 1:25; 2 Pet. 1:3; John 12:48). When rightly divided and applied it will save all mankind who submit in love to Christ’s teachings. This doesn’t mean that the Old Testament is without use for the follower of Christ. No, not at all! It is to be used as examples for those of us living this side of the cross of Christ (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6-13). Some religious folks are as apt to attempt to find “authority” for their beliefs and practices (if they seek authority at all) from the writings of Moses and the other prophets of the Old Testament as they are what Christ caused to be written! To seek justification by the law says Paul, is to “fall from grace” (Gal. 5:4). Again let me remind you that on the mount of transfiguration God said of Christ, “hear ye Him” (Matt. 17:5). 

One Baptism

If folks understand and practice the “one baptism” mentioned here, there would be unity of action as well as design in this matter. Actually one cannot be baptized by sprinkling or having water poured or dabbed on them. No, baptize is a verb denoting only one action. The action denoted is a “burial,” a “planting,” a “resurrection.” It involves going to the water and going “down into and coming up out of the water” (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:38-39). It would be as silly to say that one is baptized by sprinkling or pouring as it would be for me to say that I walked by flying! Those are two different verbs denoting different actions. If you have been baptized, you have been immersed! The Greek word baptizo, translated properly means only one thing,  to immerse! 

What About The Design of Baptism?

The “design” means the “purpose.” For what purpose were believers baptized in the biblical record? Was it said to be “an outward sign of an inward grace”? Was it said to be “the way you confess to the world that you have received Christ”? Was it simply something that was “symbolic”? Were they “baptized” to “join the local church”? Were they baptized “because they were saved”? All of the above and other reasons are often said to be the “design” for baptism. What do the Scriptures say? 

That, after all is what really matters, isn’t it? Yes it is! Paul said, “Yea, let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). What did Paul mean by such a strong statement? Simply that when man (any man) disagrees with what God says in his word about a matter under consideration, man, not God is in error! I could not count the times that people have said one of the above is the design of baptism. What saith the Scriptures?

• For the Remission of Sins (Acts 2:38)
• For Salvation (Mark 16:16)
• Saves Us (1 Pet. 3:21)
• Into Christ (Rom. 6:3)
• Put on Christ (Gal. 3:27)
• Born of Water and Spirit (John 3:5)
• Washing of Regeneration (Tit. 3:5)
• Into One Body (1 Cor. 12:13)
• To Have Sins Washed Away (Acts 22:16)
• Bodies Washed in Pure Water (Heb. 10:22)
• Washing of Water by the Word (Eph. 5:26)
• Repent and be Converted (baptized) (Acts 3:19)
• Go teach baptize into name teach (Matt. 28:18-20)
• Repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:45-47)

On the birthday of Christ’s church to believers who asked “what shall we do?” Peter said, “. . . Repent and be baptized . . . for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), and later to another audience, “Repent and be converted” (Acts 3:19). It appears that conversion to Christ has only been accomplished after one has been baptized. Peter uses the words “be baptized” and “be converted” interchangeably. If therefore you were baptized believing yourself already converted, your baptism isn’t the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5. Paul wrote in Romans 6:17-18 that they were made servants of righteousness after they had “obeyed from the heart that form of the doctrine they were delivered. It was then that they were made the “servants of righteousness.” Saved and then baptized? Hardly! 

If folks would only read the Bible itself with an open mind, there’s no way one would conclude that baptism was any less important in the scheme of redemption than are faith, repentance, and confession of faith in Christ. It is because of the creeds of uninspired men, written to defend some particular denominational position, that the confusion and perversions of truth exist.

One God

This promotes unity of the object of worship. It is essential that we have the right object of our worship. The Athenians worshiped God ignorantly and consequently their worship was not acceptable (Acts 17:22-31). There are “lords many and gods many” said Paul, but to us there is but “one God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him” (1 Cor. 8:6). When Satan tried to get him to worship him, Jesus said, “It is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Matt. 4:10). Not only must we worship the right God, we must be in the right relationship to the church (Eph. 3:21; 2:16) and worship him in Spirit and in truth through the one mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; John 4:23-24).

Where are you spiritually speaking? No more important question could possibly be asked. 

Some Cases of Conversion

• Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47).
•  Some at Samaria (Acts 8:12-13).
• The Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-39).
• Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-6; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-5).
• Cornelius (Acts 10:1-2; 11:13-14; 10: 43-47, 48).
• Lydia (Acts 16:12-15)
• Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:30-34). What about you?

Peter said, “A word to the wise is sufficient.”

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7017/pekin_ch.html
Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p16  February 17, 2000

By Bill Reeves

This is the proper name, abbreviated to SBH, given by educators to a certain problem some students are having in school. Being interpreted, it actually means: “having big trouble with authority,” and the reason for this is that said students never had any authority over them in the home; they were never taught authority! Now they are having a severe problem dealing with authority from the teachers.

The humanistic educators want to relegate such problems to some kind of “handicap,” “disease,” or “deficiency.” How convenient! The student himself has no responsibility in the matter because he is handicapped by his deficiency which he got, who knows where! No, he is not behaving (obeying instructions) because his rearing has been one in which he was not taught to respect authority. This is no new problem: “disobedient to parents” (2 Tim. 3:2). A child who starts out life being allowed to disobey his parents, will continue such ungodly conduct throughout his life outside of the home, because he has learned that he gets by with disobedience and accomplishes his goals by rebellion. He was not restrained, as were not Eli’s sons (1 Sam. 3:13).

Jesus was an obedient child, “subject” to his parents (Luke 2:51). Was he “lucky,” being free of SBH? Was subjection to parents in his genes, and so he escaped SBH?

The humanist wants to give a fancy name to different phenomena (from the Greek word meaning, “a happening, appearance, or event”), a name to cover for the person so described, but what he refuses to do is to go to the cause of the problem and deal with that! Often, when listening to the news, I note that the news media describe what has happened, but do not touch the subject of why (the cause or causes) it happened!

Return discipline and authority to the schools and the problem of SBH will all but disappear. In the cases in which a student insists on rebellion to authority, let him be summarily dismissed from the privilege of public education (which he now no longer deserves), and that will be a deterrent for others who might be contemplated catching the “disease” of SBH! Then there will be tranquility again in our public schools.

When I was in grammar school (in the 30s) there was one “bully” (no one knew that he had “SBH”) but he wasn’t a hero. He was often in the principal’s office for corporal punishment. Today, the bully is a hero among his fellow students. Then there was peace in the schools (to say nothing of prayer and Bible reading which were also there), but now there are shootings, metal detectors, and police officers, but no peace, prayer, Bible reading, and corporal punishment. The humanist does not want the solution; he simply wants to create a euphemistic name for the problem, which will give the patient more benefits and attention than ever.

The humanist denies the God who said: “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him,” and, “The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother” (Prov. 22:15; 29:15). A “child left to himself” will .

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Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p9 February 17, 2000