Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

When should a person be baptized? When he understands and accepts the gospel of Christ in his heart, or some time later?

Infants and young children should wait. The Bible does not teach infant baptism. The Great Commission says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Faith must precede baptism, but infants and small children do not yet have the ability to understand — much less believe the gospel. 

At some age, we reach an understanding of right and wrong and we have the ability to make a moral choice between the two. It is not merely a matter of choosing to obey our parents, and receiving their approval, or to disobey them, and receiving their disapproval. It is a matter of choosing in a deeper sense, making a moral choice between right and wrong. When a person reaches that age of responsibility and chooses to break the commandments of God, he becomes guilty of sin. Thus, the Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

Christ died to save us from the guilt and condemnation of our sins. His death provided a perfect sacrifice for sin: Sin was punished in such a way as to offer pardon to the sinner. He died for our sins, but he did no sin. This is the basis of salvation rather than any merit in ourselves (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8).

Salvation is offered to all men but not forced upon anyone. The conditions upon which we make the choice to receive or to reject salvation include faith in Christ, repenting of sin, confessing Jesus as God’s Son, and being immersed in water by his command (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:10). There is no merit in man when he accepts these conditions, but he throws himself upon God’s love, mercy, and grace by yielding to these conditions. 

When we accept the truth of the gospel in our mind, should we delay our baptism until later? No, we should be baptized immediately! Just accepting the truth in our hearts will not save us, for we are not saved by faith alone (Jas. 2:24). We must immediately repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), immediately confess Jesus as God’s Son (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10), and immediately be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38-41). 

In Acts 2:40-41, the sinners were baptized “the same day” when they believed the truth — they did not wait. In Acts 8:35-38, the eunuch was baptized as soon as he believed the gospel and confessed Christ — he did not wait. In Acts 16:32-34, the jailer was baptized “the same hour of the night” — he did not wait. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” — he did not wait. 

Why did they not wait? Because until they were baptized, they were still lost in their sins. If they died before being baptized, they would have been lost forever! When a person learns his house is on fire, does he leave immediately or does he wait until a later time to leave? He leaves immediately because he does not want to risk his life! When a person learns the truth of the gospel and knows he is lost in sin (his spiritual house is on fire!), he needs to obey immediately — without delay! We do not know when our life may end through disease or sudden accident, nor when the Lord will return. To obey the gospel is urgent! 

The denominations delay baptism because they teach that a person is saved the moment he believes in Christ, but such teaching is from Satan. We are saved by faith, but only when faith acts to receive forgiveness in baptism. We are not saved by faith only (Jas. 2:24). Dear sinner friend, flee the denominations with their “faith only” doctrine. Obey the original gospel of Christ — be forgiven through the blood of Christ — let him add you to the church of Christ — receive a home in heaven at the side of Christ!

3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, Kentucky 40165-6954)

By John Isaac Edwards

The average American life span is 76.5 years. According to the National Institute on Aging, “currently no treatments, drugs, or pills are known to slow aging or extend life in humans.” The Bible, however, discusses some things that can add years to your life.

1. Respect for God. The wise man said, “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (Prov. 10:27). Ever wonder why some live longer than others? It may be that some have more respect for God than others.

2. Keeping the Commandments of God. Poetry literature says, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee” (Prov. 3:1-2). Been keeping the commandments?

3. Honoring Your Parents. Paul penned, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3). No telling how many young people have been sent to an early grave because they failed to show proper respect for their parents.

Remember it’s not how long, but how well one lives that counts!

By Steve Wallace

God is the Creator of us all and all men would do well to keep him constantly in mind. Why is it especially important for the young to heed the wise man’s counsel? 

1. The decisions of youth often influence the course of one’s life. Paul’s manner of life from his youth caused him to put God first in his life (Acts 26:4-7). Timothy had a godly mother and grandmother who taught him the scriptures (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15). His choosing to follow the Lord as a child led to a spiritually stable adulthood (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim. 3:10-11). We will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). Remembering our Creator helps us make wise decisions so that our lives will be built on the firmest possible foundation (Matt. 7:24-27; Ps. 119:9).

2. Youth is a time of folly for the best of men. Job and David, both highly esteemed in the sight of God (Job 1:8; Acts 13:22), confessed to sins in the time of their youth (Job 13:26; Ps. 25:7). What was true for them will certainly be true for all of us. Do not trust your own thoughts and desires or the opinions of friends. Such leadings will make you “void of understanding” and vulnerable to the temptations of youth (Prov. 7:7; 2 Tim. 2:22). Remember your Creator in the days of your youth in order to overcome the foolish inclinations of this time of life.
        
3. Youth is the time of one’s highest vitality and energy (Prov. 20:29). The “evil days” spoken of later in  Ecclestiastes 12:1 have reference to the infirmities and inconveniences of old age and are in contrast to the vigor of youth. If one is to put this vigor to proper usage, guidance is necessary (Jer. 10:23). We need only look at prisons, broken homes, homes for unwed mothers, etc., to find the many examples of people who were guided by folly or popular sentiment in their youth. Remembering your Creator in the days of your youth will lead you use your abilities and energy wisely.

Conclusion

Remembering our Creator in the days of our youth will make memories of which we will not be ashamed in the future. It will build experience that will be valuable in the future course of our lives as well as in counseling others. Remembering your Creator in the days of your youth is the best way to prepare for the future, both here and hereafter. 

2103 Rexford Rd., Montgomery, Alabama 36116

By Larry Ray Hafley

The Bible teaches that sin is not static. Rather, it is always on the move, always growing and developing “unto more ungodliness” (2 Tim. 2:16-18). It does not recede on its own. It is very aggressive, determined, and pervasive. It only gets worse (2 Tim. 3:13). 

Facts and statistics from Paul K. Williams in South Africa show the insidious growth of sin.  

    Item #1 — 30% of pregnant women in Kwazulu-Natal are HIV positive.
    Item #2 — One in three women in South Africa either have been or will be raped.
    Item #3 — CGU Insurance Ltd. has just announced a “Rape Survivor” insurance policy. To the rape victim it offers HIV tests, AZT treatment, rape and aids counseling, etc.

Imagine how frequently the sin of fornication must be committed for the items above to be true?! If that many are being affected and infected, consider how many are guilty of sexual sins that will doom their souls in hell (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph. 5:3-11; Heb. 13:4)!

Such conditions existed in the days of Noah and in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 6:5, 11, 19). Is America far behind? The plants of “lust unlimited,” as sown in magazines and movies, will produce a corrupt crop. Much of modern media, from television to the theater, can be summed up in three words: lewd, crude, and nude. And the end is not yet. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).

What are we to do? Acceptance and acquiescence are not options! “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,” we must “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:12, 13). “Only let your conversation (manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). Place your living hope in the living God, and teach others the way of righteousness. Trust him. Teach them.    

4626 Osage, Baytown, Texas 77521