March 12–14
By Bob Jackson
We, here at Tabernacle Baptist Church, are already excited about what the Lord is going to do during our 46th annual conference. Our conference in 2006 was certainly a blessing to us, and it was especially exciting for our family since it was our first conference here as the Pastor and family of this historical church. We have already sent out email invitations to those for whom we have addresses, and we have quickly received some positive responses. It appears that there will be many of the preachers who have been regularly coming to Lubbock for this conference, and it also appears that there will be some different preachers gathering with us this year as well. We are anticipating the blessing of God on this meeting as we meet together around the Word of God.
Please consider this article as your invitation to meet together with us at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas on March 12–14. It will be easy to remember the week of our conference this year, because the government has changed the day for the beginning of daylight-saving time this year. Yes, daylight-saving time will begin during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 11 this year. I was shocked when I saw that date recorded on a 2007 calendar, but that is how it is going to be now. So, it is easy to remember that our conference begins the Monday evening following the beginning of daylight-saving time this year. For those in the eastern time zone, this means that when you get to Lubbock, you will be back on the time it was at home before daylight-saving time occurred. Everyone else will just have lost an hour on Saturday night. At least it will be easy to remember when our conference will meet.
Speakers Chosen From Those Present
The Missions Bible Conference at Tabernacle Baptist Church is a combination missions conference, fellowship meeting. We have 16 speaking slots to fill, not counting Sunday, with preachers who attend the conference. Bro. E. L. Bynum, the retired Pastor of 44 years of Tabernacle Baptist Church, will begin the Monday evening session by preaching the first message of the conference. Bro. Bynum always brings a good message from the Word of God, and we know he will get our conference off to a great start. We have definitely filled only one other speaking time, so please come prepared to preach the Word. Our theme this year is taken from Acts 9:6, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” All preaching from the pulpit of Tabernacle Baptist Church is only from the King James Bible, and there will be no exceptions allowed.
We also invite those who enjoy singing for the glory of God to come prepared to share your music with us during the conference. Please inform Bro. Jerry Jackson, our Assistant Pastor of your desire to sing during the conference. Only homemade, pre-approved background tapes may be used, or you may use an accompanist of your choice. We use only godly, spiritual music, no CCM, “Christian rock,” or other worldly types of music.
Our goal is that every guest who attends our conference will receive warm, friendly West Texas Christian hospitality. Tabernacle Baptist Church will furnish one good meal a day at a local restaurant. Plan to meet us at the church building on Monday at 4:30 PM to go together for supper at a local restaurant. We are recommending a specific motel that offers our guests a special rate, but there are many motels in every price range in Lubbock from which to choose should you desire. We cannot in this article give the specific price for our conference motel, but you may obtain that information by contacting us at 806–744–4443, or you can email Pastor Bob Jackson.
Preachers Challenging Us From the Word of God
We all need to be challenged in our Christian lives and in our ministries over and over again. Our human nature is prone to resist following the will and the Word of God. We all know how much we personally need to be challenged afresh from God’s Word. Our Missions Bible Conference is a wonderful opportunity to come together and receive this needed challenge once again from God. We need so much to hear good, sound, Bible preaching. Remember, too, that this is a Missions Bible conference, and we always need to be challenged in the area of scriptural mission work. What a blessing it is to gather with other like-minded preachers and church members around the preaching of the Word of God. We have no other purpose, no ulterior motives, no group to promote, just being challenged from the Word of God by men of God for the purpose of being more surrendered to do the work of God.
This conference also offers a good opportunity to renew fellowship with preacher friends and members of other churches, and also to meet other preachers and church members who have the same scriptural convictions. What a blessing and a benefit this is to our Christian lives and to our service for God. Please make your plans to join us at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX March 12–14. We are looking forward to your presence here with us.
By E. L. Bynum
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (1–11–07), carried a front page article containing the pictures of former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton joking at a Baptist ecumenical meeting in Atlanta. The following caption was printed under the picture:
“Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton share a joke Tuesday at a news conference in Atlanta. Carter and Clinton met with leaders from 40 moderate Baptist groups who pledged to work on 21st century social and environmental issues.”
You might well know that any religious organization backed by Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton would be liberal and corrupt. It would be amusing, if it were not so sad. They both claim to be Baptists, but consider the facts.
Clinton the Paragon of Purity
We should remember what an example of purity he exhibited while president. He became a role model for holiness and a purifier of the oval office. I say all this with tongue in cheek, for we remember Jennifer Flowers, Monica Lewinsky, and a host of other women that he was involved with. I cannot imagine any Baptist organization lowering their standards enough to feature Clinton at a national meeting. This is an example of how low many Baptists have sunk in our day.
Carter an Example of Apostasy
Carter has a good reputation for morality, but his religious beliefs are apostate. Note the following quote: “President Jimmy Carter agrees with SBC Evangelist Billy Graham that other religions worship the same God as do Christians. NBC’s Today interview by Katy Couric aired Carter saying other religions worship the same God as Christians.” (NBC Today, 10/27/99)
This makes all missionary work unnecessary and it makes Jesus a liar when he said: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The Bible teaches that all men without Jesus Christ are lost and on the road to hell.
Several years ago Carter made a five-day trip to Cuba. He became the first U.S. president since Calvin Coolidge to set foot in Cuba. He dined with Castro, praised his “superb systems of health care and universal education,” and called for the lifting of the 40-year-old U.S. embargo of the communist country. By doing this he gave aid and comfort to a Communist thug who enslaved millions of people and killed huge numbers of patriotic, decent Cubans.
We published the following in the PBC. “Rick Warren. Jimmy Carter and Tony Campolo were all going to the 100th Anniversary of the Baptist World Alliance in Birmingham, England, July 27–31, 2005. The BWA is a conglomerate of theologically and politically left-wing Baptists who embrace the social gospel and minimize any form of separation.”
Many Southern Baptists will have nothing to do with this apostate convocation endorsed by Carter and Clinton. Certainly no Independent Baptist will touch it. The SBC withdrew from the Baptist World Alliance and this really hurt the BWA financially. Southern Baptists were the largest givers to this apostate organization. They should have bowed their heads in shame for ever supporting it in the first place. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship the left wing group of the SBC, has been mourning this ever since. Now they are trying to bring, all the apostates and any evangelical suckers they can for support.
Jimmy Carter is a left leaning ecumenical compromiser. The BWA met in Birmingham, England and Jimmy Carter was one of the speakers. Here is part of what he said.
“I would describe fundamentalism as, first of all, a movement led almost invariably by authoritarian males who consider themselves to be superior to others and who have an overwhelming commitment to subjugate women and to dominate their fellow believers. Second, fundamentalists draw clear distinctions between themselves, the true believers, and others. They are convinced that they are right, and that anyone who contradicts them is inferior and beyond the purview of God’s full blessing.”
“Third, fundamentalists are militant in fighting against any challenge to their beliefs, are often angry and sometimes resort to verbal or even physical abuse against those who oppose the implementation of their agenda. Finally, they tend to make their self-definition increasingly narrow, to isolate themselves, to demagogue social and emotional issues and to view change, cooperation, negotiation or other efforts to resolve differences as signs of weakness.” (End of quote.)
This gives you an idea of the hateful attitude that Jimmy Carter has to those who believe in the fundamental truths of the Word of God.
Carter Criticizes SBC Conservatives: for Adverse Effects on Amy (his daughter), & Mormon Evangelism —Former President Jimmy Carter said his daughter Amy is seldom in church anymore, and says her “participation in an organized church has been adversely affected, in a major way, by the theology of the [conservative] leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, who condemn the equal role of women in the church...” (11/22 H. Times). He also said that So. Baptists are wrong to believe that Mormon doctrine is essentially non-Christian and that Mormons are in need of evangelization (11/25 Ind. Bapt.).
BGCT Supports the Atlanta Meeting
“Leaders of the Baptist General Convention of Texas are on record as supporting the move, part of an effort supported by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, both Baptists; to build a new alliance across all Baptist denominations” (LAJ). Sadly this is possible because the SBC has tolerated modernism for over 70-years out of toleration of evil and softness on separation. Their house is badly divided and will never be healed. Separation from false doctrine is the only path to theological purity. Toleration of apostates will always mean slow surrender to the promoters of modernism.
This shows just how far to the left the leaders of the Southern Baptists in Texas really are.
What this Is All About
The liberals in the SBC and other liberals are mad because the SBC cut off funds to the Baptist World Alliance. The upcoming meeting in Atlanta is backed by the Baptist World Alliance, American Baptist Convention, National Baptist Convention USA, Canadian Baptist Ministries, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and other groups. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship represents the extreme left wing of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The BWA was organized in 1905, and has continued to drift leftward for more than 100 years. It is a liberal Socialist left wing group of Baptists from around the world. Southern Baptists have provided huge sums of money to perpetuate this Antichrist organization. In 2004 the SBC withdrew from the BWA, much to the consternation of the left wingers.
This meeting is a bald-faced attempt to woo back as much support as they can from the SBC. Make no mistake about it, the liberal wing intends to take over the SBC again, and if they cannot, they intend to split the Convention. There are some signs that they are making headway, and the outcome is in doubt.
The first meeting of the second phase of international conversations between the Baptist World Alliance and the Catholic Church took place December 10–15, 2006 at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. A first phase of international conversations had taken place in 1984–1988, resulting in a report in 1990 entitled “Summons to Witness to Christ in Today’s World.” Guess whom Samford University is affiliated with? The Southern Baptists.
The great C. H. Spurgeon started Spurgeon’s College to teach the truth of the Bible. More than 100 years later, the president of the College is a former president of the Baptist World Alliance. May God help us to wake up to the insidious nature of liberalism and compromise. Why not get some backbone and stand up for truth in these evil days?
I have gathered material for this article from the Lubbock Avalance-Journal, Dallas Morning News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, back issues of PBC, and the Internet.
By Jerry Jackson
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Galatians 3:22
According to God’s Word, everyone has sinned. That means that you have sinned before a holy God. Your sin stands as a barrier between you and God, so that you cannot have a relationship with Him nor can you hope to enter heaven. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).”
Because of this separation between God and man, something must be done. But the question is: “What will you do about your sin?”
You Can Ignore Your Sin
Many people today simply ignore their sin. They may acknowledge that they have committed sin at some point in their lives, but they refuse to consider the consequences of sin. Many of these will stand at the Great White Throne Judgment, to receive the just reward of their sin. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15).”
There are others who ignore their sin by refusing to admit that they have ever done wrong before God. These people may live good, moral lives, but they are still sinners before God. In fact, the very act of refusing to admit sin is a lie people tell themselves and an insult to Almighty God. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (1 John 1:8, 10).”
Simply ignoring sin cannot help us. Something must be done with all the sins that each individual has committed.
You Can Attempt To Bear Your Own Sin
Some people consider themselves able to remove the stain of sin from their own lives. To accomplish this purpose they go about doing good, helping the poor and needy, and going to church. While all of these things are good things in which to be involved, they cannot do anything about the sin that has already been committed.
Still, there are those who seek to erase their sin by doing good and being good. But the fact is, God has told us that the very best we can do is totally unacceptable to Him. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6).” Also, by seeking to bear their own sin through good deeds, these people have ignored what God has provided for them. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3).”
There are those who consider their church attendance and the work they have performed for their church to be sufficient to remove their sin. Jesus told of these people in Matthew 7:21–23. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” We can consider the people referred to as being faithful church members, having been baptized, partaking of communion, and attending many church services. However, none of these things helped them as the Lord calls them people “that work iniquity.” So, in all that they do, these people cannot remove their own sin through religious efforts.
You Can Allow Christ To Bear Your Sin
The whole purpose of Jesus’ coming to this earth was to bear your sin. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).” “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).”
All that Jesus suffered on the Cross was to free you from your sin, so that you could be at peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans 5:1, 8–10).”
Jesus has already suffered the penalty of sin for you, so that you can be free from sin through Him. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:25).” “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).” “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:10–12).”
Today Jesus calls you to come to Him for forgiveness of all your sin and life through His death on the Cross. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18).” “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:14–16).”
If you choose to allow Christ to bear your sin, there are two things that God requires of you.
1. You must turn away from your sin and faith in yourself, your religion, and your ideology. You must realize that your sin is the cause of your separation from God (Isaiah 59:1), and that none of these other things can help to relieve you of your sin or bring you closer to God (Ephesians 2:8–9). This means that you must repent. “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13).” “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15b).”
2. You must also place all of your faith in Him as your only hope for salvation from your sin. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference (Romans 3:22)...” You must then call upon Him, asking Him to take the load of your sin. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9–10, 13).”
The choice is yours to make. What will you do about your sin?
This article is available as a tract: see tract C–418.
By Bob Jackson
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:37–42
This subject of scriptural baptism is a subject that is dear and important to every true Baptist church, to every Baptist preacher, and should be so to every born again Baptist believer. This subject has had much written about it over the course of church history, beginning with our Lord Himself, throughout all the ages since then, and until today. We have recently included articles in the Plains Baptist Challenger about the subject of baptism that show us in what kind of times we are now living, as many who use the name Baptist depart from the faith that true Baptists have held since the time of Christ Himself.
Recently we had a lady come to us desiring to become a member here at Tabernacle Baptist Church. After discerning that this lady had been saved, we inquired as to her baptism. She was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Lubbock just after she was saved. Realizing that many Southern Baptist churches have changed in their doctrine and practice regarding baptism, we called to speak with someone at this church about their church practice as to baptism. The assistant to whom we spoke had been at this church for 20 years or so, and the receptionist connected me with him because of his knowledge of the recent history of this church. We inquired as to when First Baptist Church had changed their practice and had begun to receive people as members who had baptism from other churches than Baptist churches. The assistant told me that they had a church conference about this subject in 1986, and that they had changed their practice to receive immersion administered by churches other than Baptist churches at that time. He said they had even received a few people as members who were baptized in a Church of Christ, but these people had not been baptized to wash away their sins, etc.
Comparing the time that our prospective member was baptized at the First Baptist Church with the time that First Baptist Church had changed their policy regarding receiving baptism from different types of churches, we concluded that our prospective member needed to receive Scriptural Baptism in order to become a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. God was leading in this lady’s life, and she willingly submitted to scriptural baptism administered by Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Years ago when I was the Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, we discovered that a lady who had been a member of that church and had moved to another church had not actually received scriptural baptism. We discovered, by listening to this very person speak about it, that she had been baptized by immersion in a Methodist church. Later she went to a well known “independent, fundamental Baptist” church in the Cincinnati area. She was received into the membership of this “Baptist” church without having to be scripturally baptized. Her Methodist immersion was accepted by this church, and she became a member there. Salem Baptist Church had received this lady by letter from this so-called Baptist church before our family ever moved there. We discovered this in the early 1970's. Things have not improved regarding the subject of scriptural baptism since that time. In fact, things have gotten much worse since then.
There are four basic requirements to accomplish true scriptural that is Biblical, baptism. These four requirements are all essential to accomplish scriptural baptism. Three out of four is not enough to accomplish scriptural baptism. Each and every one of these requirements are essential. If we lack any of these requirements, we cannot have scriptural baptism.
The Right Person
The first of these requirements for scriptural baptism is that it must be the right person who is being baptized, Acts 2:38,41. A person must be redeemed in order to be qualified to receive scriptural baptism. This means that this person must have already repented toward God from sin, Acts 2:38; 3:18; 20:21. Notice the comma after the word “repent,” in verse 38. This comma separates the word “repent” from the phrase “and be baptized every one of you . . .” This tells us that repent and be baptized are not equal. If these two things were equal, there would be no need for a comma after the word repent. A compound subject of two things that are connected by the word “and” does not require a comma. They are equal things, and they, therefore, do not need a comma to separate them since they are connected by the word “and.” God gives lost sinners the grace and power to repent, 2 Timothy 2:25. God desires that every lost sinner come to repentance and salvation, 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4.
A person must be redeemed from sin through the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ in order to be qualified for scriptural baptism, Revelation 1:5; 1 John 1:7. It is the shed blood of Jesus Christ that washes away our sin, Revelation 1:5; Titus 3:4–7. This cleansing is accomplished as we receive Jesus Christ into our heart as our personal Savior, Romans 10:9–13. The act of baptism pictures this internal cleansing, but baptism does not accomplish this cleansing, Romans 6:4–5; 1 Peter 3:20–21. As the ark of Noah floating on the waters of the flood pictures eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, so baptism pictures salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “the like figure...” 1 Peter 3:21. A person is ready to receive scriptural baptism only after he has been redeemed by Jesus Christ, Acts 8:36–38; Ephesians 1:13.
Any person who has not already been redeemed is unqualified for scriptural baptism, Acts 2:41. Since the act of baptism itself does not save, it accomplishes nothing in the life of the unredeemed, Mark 16:16. It is clear in Mark 16:16 that it is believing (on Jesus Christ as our own personal Savior) that makes the difference. A person who is baptized in his lost condition is still lost after he has been baptized. It is true faith that makes the difference not baptism. Genuine salvation is not a religious ceremony, but it is receiving Jesus Christ into our heart as our own personal Savior. It is having our sins cleansed through the blood of Jesus Christ, Acts 16:30–31; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8–9. Since a person must believe on Christ with all his heart before he can be scripturally baptized, infants are not qualified for baptism, Acts 2:41; 8:36–37. Sadly, some people rely on their baptism for salvation; therefore they are condemned eternally because they have never received Christ as their own personal Savior, Mark 16:16; John 3:18; Colossians 1:27.
The Right Procedure
The second of these four requirements for scriptural baptism is that the baptism must be done according to the right procedure, Acts 8:38–39. Baptism by definition is only immersion scripturally, John 3:23. The Greek word translated “baptizing” in John 3:23 means “to make whelmed i.e. fully wet.” This word is translated baptist, baptize, and wash. It is clear in the Bible that baptism was by immersion, Acts 8:38–39. Both Phillip and the eunuch had to go down into the water to accomplish the act of baptism, and then they came back up out of the water. That would be a ridiculous statement if baptism were nothing more than sprinkling. Baptism shows us a picture of being buried like Christ was buried after His death on the cross, Romans 6:3–5. The gospel, which Jesus Christ accomplished for us, is pictured in the act of baptism, 1 Corinthians 15:1–4.
Because of the heresy of baptismal regeneration (that baptism is required for salvation) that crept into some of the ancient churches, the mode of baptism was changed by these heretics to accommodate infants, invalids, etc. Baptism, however, means to completely cover like being buried, 1 Corinthians 10:1–2. The Israelites were baptized unto Moses by a combination of the cloud and the sea. They were completely covered to the eye of any beholder during their time of walking across the Red Sea on dry ground. Historically, there was no mode of baptism used except immersion, Acts 8:38–39. We as believers are to follow God’s will in baptism as well as in anything else. We are not free to choose our own way to do something that God clearly tells us what and how to do, Acts 2:41; 8:36–39; Romans 6:4–5.
The Lord Jesus Himself commanded His churches to baptize believers “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19b. Therefore, the right procedure for baptism includes following this command as we baptize a scriptural candidate. This obviously means that we cannot accept baptism performed by the “Jesus only” crowd as scriptural.
The Right Purpose
The third of these four requirements for scriptural baptism is that it must be accomplished for the right purpose, Matthew 3:13–15. Jesus told John the Baptist that they should do this “to fulfill all righteousness.” A person should be scripturally baptized to fulfill the will of God in His life and in the ministry of the church, Acts 2:41. The command of God is, for those who have believed the gospel, to be baptized, Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:19–20. This is the first step of Christian obedience taught in the Bible, Acts 2:38,41; 8:34–38; 10:47–48; 16:30–33.
A redeemed person should be baptized to be identified with his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 6:3–5; Galatians 3:27. Following the Lord in scriptural baptism demonstrates that we are not ashamed of our Saviour before others, Romans 10:11; Galatians 3:27. We show forth a picture of the gospel in the ceremonial ordinance of baptism, Romans 6:4–5; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4. When we follow the Lord in scriptural baptism, we are thereby stating that the intention of our lives is now to follow the will of God, Romans 6:4–6.
When we are scripturally baptized, we become a fellow member of the church that authorized that baptism, Acts 2:41. New believers are added as members of that particular church through the act of scriptural baptism. It is so clear that this is the meaning of Acts 2:41. Many people are confused as to the lack of teaching in the Scripture concerning joining a church. The fact is that those who were saved in New Testament days followed the Lord in scriptural baptism, and they were added to the membership of that church at that time. There are a few references about going to another location and joining a church in that location, but that is the only other thing we see about this subject in Scripture. Folks who got saved followed the Lord in baptism and continued in the fellowship of that particular church. This is the example we see in the Word of God, Acts 2:41–47; Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 14:21–23.
To be baptized to save our soul or to complete our salvation is a false, unscriptural purpose for baptism, Acts 10:47–48. Therefore anyone who has been baptized for this purpose has not received scriptural baptism, even if this baptism was done by immersion. Also, a “church” that baptizes people for this purpose is not providing scriptural baptism, no matter what mode of baptism is being used. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from our sins, 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Hebrews 9:12–14,22. To trust in baptism to wash away our sins is a false hope, Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21. These verses may be confusing to us, but we must put all of the Bible teaching about baptism together to come to the truth of God on this subject. Mark 16:16 still tells us that a person who has not believed on Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour is lost, no matter whether he has been baptized or not. The teaching that baptism has any part in saving us is false teaching, 1 Peter 3:20–21; Matthew 3:7–9,13–15. The Lord Jesus Christ had no sins to wash away, but He told John that they must do this act to fulfill all righteousness, Matthew 3:13,15; 1 Peter 2:22. The act of baptism is symbolic of the cleansing of our sins, but this act itself cannot cleanse us, Matthew 3:7–8; 1 Corinthians 1:17. To be scriptural, baptism cannot have the purpose of saving us, Acts 2:41.
The Right Power
The fourth requirement for scriptural baptism is that this baptism must be given by a church that has scriptural authority, Matthew 3:13. The only scriptural authority to baptize in the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist was given to John the Baptist. Those that were his disciples and had received his baptism followed his ministry, John 1:6–7; 4:1–2; Matthew 3:1–2,5–8; 16:18; Acts 1:21–22. Jesus Christ Himself walked more than thirty miles to be baptized of John the Baptist, no one else could have baptized Him scripturally, Matthew 3:13. There are so many misconceptions about baptism. Some people, had they been in Jesus’s shoes, would have gotten one of their own disciples to baptize them, and not had any thoughts about the baptism being unscriptural. Jesus then used men that had been baptized and discipled by John the Baptist to begin His first church, Acts 1:22; 2:41; John 1:35–41; 1 Corinthians 12:28. John the Baptist was given this scriptural authority to baptize. This authority was given directly to him from God Himself. This authority was transferred to this first church which was begun by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself during His earthly ministry. John the Baptist was a unique man in the work of God. No other individual ever received authority to baptize from God as John the Baptist had. Once Jesus began this first church, the authority to baptize rested in that church and then to those churches begun through that church.
This first church that Jesus started during His earthly ministry began other scriptural churches (not denominations) that did God’s work and had the authority to baptize, Acts 2:41; 8:1,4; 10:44–48; 11:19–26; 13:1–4; 14:21–23; Matthew 28:19–20; 16:18. This authority to baptize was given to these churches that had been begun through the ministry and authority of that first church that Jesus Himself had established.
Today scriptural churches are recognized by their heritage. In other words, they are recognized by whom they were begun. In God’s scriptural work, churches start other churches. This is why missionaries must be sent through the authority of a scriptural church to do the work of God, Acts 13:2–3; 14:23. Today scriptural churches are also recognized by their doctrine, 2 Timothy 4:2–4; Matthew 3:7–9; Acts 19:1–5. To have scriptural authority to baptize, a church must be correct in these areas, Acts 19:3–5. The possibility exists for a church to lose its scriptural status, and therefore its baptism would no longer be scriptural, Revelation 2:5; 3:1. This is exactly the case with the First Baptist Church in Lubbock. No doubt, they once followed the truth and had a scriptural beginning. However, when they begin to receive baptism as acceptable that does not meet the requirements for scriptural baptism, we can no longer accept their baptism as scriptural. They certainly are not following like faith and order as that of Tabernacle Baptist Church. If we can no longer accept their church letter, how could we accept their baptism? If the letter is unacceptable, how could the baptism be acceptable?
These four aspects of baptism must be correct for the baptism to be scriptural, Acts 19:3–5. The sincerity of the baptismal candidate cannot overcome errors in any of these requirements. We hear this excuse used many times. A person was baptized in a church that does not teach correctly about baptism. They baptize to save a person or to complete a person’s salvation, yet the person baptized there did not get baptized for that reason. This idea cannot change the purpose of the church that performed the baptism.
Scriptural baptism is not administered by an individual Christian, but it is administered by the authority of one of the Lord’s churches, Acts 10:44–48; 6:5–6; 8:5,26–30,36–38. People try to tell us that Philip was baptizing on his own authority when he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. However, it is clear that Philip was given authority to do God’s work by the church in Jerusalem, Acts 6:5–6. Into what then was this eunuch baptized who had believed on Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour? Why would we think that he was baptized into anything other than the church in Jerusalem, the church that had authorized the ministry of Philip? If we understand the way the Lord uses His churches to do His work and to send forth His ministers, it is not difficult to understand about the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch.
A church that is careful to receive only scripturally baptized people as members will be more apt to stay pure in their doctrine and practice for the Lord, Revelation 2:14–16,20.
Edited by E. L. Bynum
(Editor’s Note: In our News & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote.)
Atheist Fed Up With Religion. Now, at a TX evo-atheist conference, Dawkins says, “I am utterly fed up with the respect that we all of us, including the secular among us, are brainwashed into bestowing on religion.” (Nov 21, 2006; New York Times) Fellow evo-atheist Neil deGrasse Tyson said, “Science is a philosophy of discovery; intelligent design is a philosophy of ignorance.” Evo-atheist Steven Weinberg said religion was “like a crazy old aunt.” “She tells lies, and she stirs up all sorts of mischief and she’s getting on, and she may not have that much life left in her, but she was beautiful once,” he lamented. “When she’s gone, we may miss her.” Dawkins responded, “I won’t miss her at all,” he said. “Not a scrap. Not a smidgen.” (NYT, 11/21/06) ‘Sounds like he’s already bought the casket. Pray — his heart needs Jesus badly! Dr J - Points of Origins “It is absolutely safe to say that, if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid, or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that).” (Richard Dawkins, New York Times, 4/9/1989, sect 7, p34)
TBN Cancels Criticism of Islam. A long-running weekly TV program “Zola Levitt Presents,” which is often critical of the jihadist ideology within Islam, has been canceled by the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), producers say, because of efforts by TBN to cater to its growing audience in the Arab world. The cancellation of this show makes it the second program cancelled by the largest Christian broadcaster because of sensitivities about Muslim content. In January, 2006 Hal Lindsey’s “The International Intelligence Briefing” notified TBN he would not be back because of what he considered to be efforts to muzzle his opinions about radical Islam. —Christian News, 9/18/06. This is about what I would expect from these fat cats of the cooky charismatic crowd represented by TBN. —ELB
British Hospital under Fire for Burning Aborted Babies in Trash Furnace. A British hospital is coming under fire for burning the bodies of babies killed in abortions in the furnace used to incinerate trash the hospital produces. Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has admitted using the hospital’s incinerator to burn the bodies and says it’s because it can’t afford the fees charged by a local crematorium. An unnamed woman who had an abortion there learned about the hospital’s policy and said she was appalled after finding out how Addenbrooke disposed of her baby’s body.... “I am furious and very hurt,” the woman told the Cambridge Evening News. “Imagine my horror when I discovered that my baby was incinerated in the same furnace as the hospital rubbish.” —lifenews.com —Via Sword of the Lord. It is horrible to burn babies, but it is also horrible to abort them. —ELB
Iraq less Violent than Washington D.C. Despite media coverage purporting to show that escalating violence in Iraq has the country spiraling out of control, civilian death statistics compiled by Rep. Steve King, R-IA, indicate that Iraq actually has a lower civilian violent death rate than Washington, D.C. Annualized Iraqi civilian death rate of 27.51 per 100,000. 45 violent deaths per 100,000 in Washington, D.C. Detroi t - 41.8 per 100,000; Baltimore - 37.7 per 100,000; Atlanta - 34 per 100,000; St. Louis - 31.4 per 100,000; New Orleans before Katrina - 53.1 deaths per 100,000 - almost twice the death rate in Iraq. (They’ve already had to call back the National Guard to New Orleans.) —GOPUSA Forum —NewsMax, 5/30/06 —ELB
Federal Judge Rules Bankrupt Worshipers Cannot Tithe. Judge Robert E. Littlefield, Jr., of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York reluctantly ruled in August that charitable contributions are not a necessary living expense for those filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, so tithing must take a backseat to debt repayment, Religion News Service (RNS) reported. Littlefield said the 2005 law overrides the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act, which allowed tithing under the bankruptcy code. Henry Sommer, president of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, said the law favors creditors at the expense of religious liberty. ... Observers say the decision in New York could lead creditors in other states to demand similar treatment. —Charisma Rule 1: Tithe because it is taught in the Bible. I venture to say that not many tithers go bankrupt. Rule 2: Keep your finances in order by not spending more than you make. It is that simple. —ELB
Teacher Fails Girl for Stand on “Gays.” Fly me to the moon? No thanks, said a 13-year-old girl who refused, because of her faith, to write an assignment for her health and physical education class about being the only heterosexual in a lunar colony with 10 homosexuals.... According to the Brisbane Sunday Mail of Australia, students were told that details of the assignment were to remain in class and they weren’t to discuss it with their parents. —WorldNetDaily.com
“Five Pillars of Islam” Taught in Public School. Another school has been “teaching” Islam by having students study and learn Muslim prayers and dress as Muslims; and a lawyer who argued a previous dispute over this issue to the US Supreme Court, said such methodologies wouldn’t “last 10 seconds” if it were Christianity being taught.... “It is imperative that our instruction includes an understanding of and insight into all cultures and a tolerance for the diversity found in the world,” said Peggy Green, the Byron Union School District superintendent, at that time. —WorldNetDaily.com The two above articles on schools reveal the terrible condition of education in the Western World.
When Intelligent People Prove They Are Stupid. Quite touching: “[Saddam Hussein’s] mind would have been a unique resource for historical, political and psychological research: a resource that is now forever unavailable to scholars... [I]n a small way his execution represents a wanton and vandalistic destruction of important research data.” —atheist Richard Dawkins —From the Patriot Post
Islam Immigration — “Some think that France will be the first European country in modern times to be taken over by Muslims due to her very large, violent immigrant population and effeminate native populace. Others point to the Netherlands, from which native Dutch people are beginning to flee in the face of hostile Islamism among the immigrants in that densely-populated nation.” (LifeSiteNews, 12/21/06) Those who feel Islam to be a peaceful religion should ask the Dutch. Be sure whereever the Muslim populations overtake Christianity, Christians will suffer greatly, regardless of the grammatical praise of the value of Jesus made by the Iranian President. Psalm 36:4 is a good description of such. “He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.” —(William W. Mosley, hereafter WWM)
Feeling Is A Sign of Life — The ACLU has attacked congressmen promoting H.R. 6099. The bill warns a mother seeking abortion, there is “..substantial evidence the process of being killed in an abortion will cause the unborn child pain.” (ACLU Website) The ACLU calls this “the dissemination of misleading information.” Their obvious solution would be a sedative for the unborn. If anyone should recognize ‘disseminate misleading information’ it would surely be the ACLU. They claim if the mother knew this, it would interfere with doctor/patient relationship. Do they not care what the other person involved might say if they could? The ACLU have not read of the excitement of John when Mary addressed his mother, Elisabeth. (Luke 1:41,44) —WWM
Conservative In Name Only — “The highest legal body in Conservative Judaism, the centrist movement in worldwide Jewry, voted yesterday to allow the ordination of gay rabbis and the celebration of same-sex commitment ceremonies.” (New York Times, 12/7/06) This ‘legal body’ needs to be educated about conservatism. They should at least read the pleading of Abram, the first Hebrew, in behalf of sinful Sodom. Four of the rabbi’s resigned from this body in disagreement over the issue. The entire group need Christ as Savior. —WWM
Pope Prays in Mosque — Istanbul, Turkey – “Pope Benedict XVI joined an Islamic cleric in prayers under the towering dome of Istanbul’s most famous mosque Thursday in a powerful gesture seeking to transform his image among Muslims from adversary to peacemaker. The pope’s minute of prayer was done in silence, but the message of reconciliation was designed to resonate loudly nearly three months after he provoked worldwide fury for remarks on violence and the Prophet Muhammad.” (Edited by DCB, AIBN, 12/06)
A Wake Up Call — “Christians are the last bastion of hope for our nation, and if we resign our charge to influence and impact the culture in which we live, we will, ...have dealt falsely with our God.” (An excerpt from an article by columnist Joe Murray, AgapePress, 9/7/06.) Only a small segment of true Christianity are willing to separate themselves from their golden egg to help missionaries on the godless shores of our globe, including America. Few others will take a stand at the polls to elect God fearing leaders. But all will reap the feel of the whirlwind of destruction when godlessness overcomes godliness in America. “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:15) —WWM
Victory or Vice? — “While we continue to push the New Jersey Legislature to do the right thing by the many same-sex couples in New Jersey and pass a marriage bill, civil unions are a giant step toward greater fairness for same-sex couples,” said Deborah Jacobs, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey. “Same-sex couples throughout the state will now have access to hundreds of family protections that were previously available only to straight couples.” Although Ms. Jacobs sees this as a victory she need look through Abraham’s eyes toward Sodom. (Gen. 19) All that flashes brightly is not golden. —WWM
Upcoming Wannabees — Watch closely the myriad of new politically aspiring disorients in the next few months. Many can change colors more rapidly than a chameleon lizard. Former ultra liberals may be romancing conservative religious establishments soon, And learning a language of religious terms to lure unassuming individuals into their web of deceit. A double minded man (or woman) remains unstable in every way. (Ja. 1:8) Forget about spouting ‘separation of church and state’ dogma until the ballots come in. “....I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses,” (2 Kings 3;7), got Jehoshaphat in trouble. At least he asked for a real prophet’s advice. —WWM
ACLU Silent on This? — Two workers “for the University of Texas at Arlington....were recently fired...” (AgaapeNews, 12/26/06) The reason? “...for praying after work for an absent colleague.” Yet Muslim prisoners must be furnished a prayer rug or discrimination will be shouted from the courthouse. If these two workers had been Muslims praying to ‘Allah’ bells would have been furnished. Christianity remains spoken against. (Acts 28:22) —WWM
Beware!! — Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad sent an urgent message to the Pope for him to have “greater understanding between religions.” Along with questioning Israel’s right to be on this planet, the Iranian Pres. upholds the Nazi extermination camps for Jews. He would also like for Pres. Bush to be “more pious.” Ahmadinejad has written several letters to the U.S. public urging troops to leave Iraq. He is careful not to admit his aspiring ambition to religious domination by Islam. —WWM
Is This Religious Understanding? — An attack by radical Islam left a Indonesian Christian girl with a “machete chop scar that runs from her cheek bone across her face down onto her neck.” From a report by VOM. (WorldNetDaily, 12/21/06). This is the understanding of the Muslim religion toward others. Die or convert to Islam is their theme. David said this about those who wrongfully rejoiced over him: “For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.” (Psa 35:20) —WWM
Eye Opening — “Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified their parents’ generation – from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers.” This minuscule quote by author David Kupelian exposes the spiritual free fall of America the past few decades. This is indeed serious. Will enough dare to take a stand? (Joel 1:2) “Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?” —WWM
Good News? — A “...study also reports that 72 percent of adults and 63 percent of born-again Christians have never heard of Rick Warren, megachurch pastor and author of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life.” (AgapePress, 1/2/07) This may or may not be good copy. It at least reveals two things. One, not many Christians are interested in the salesmanship of RW, two, he may not be nearly as impressive as he thinks. There are likely other reasons if the 72% above were asked that question. —WWM
Civil Union Backers — “The governor of New Jersey signed a civil union law into effect December 21, making the Garden State the third state to adopt legal recognition of civil unions.”(BayAreaReporter, 12/28/06) The governor of Oregon made a similar move in his state on the same day. When liberal politicians gain footing on national levels, their immoral siblings are sure to follow. (Psa. 12:8) “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.” —WWM
Parent Teaching — “The 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled last week that a public high school may not bar a gay-straight alliance from advertising its meetings through the same means used by other student groups.” (BAR,12/28/06) It is stated that the parents of said students filed this lawsuit in behalf of their children. (Prov. 22:6) “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” It is also likely if a child is trained up in a way he should NOT go, he will not depart from it. Only by the grace of God’s intervention. Keep preaching and praying. —WWM
Consider The Source — Those who rely on the Guttmacher Institute in NY for accurate reporting on morality might be wise to look to other sources. Baptist Press News, 12/22/06 stated that GI “is the research arm for Planned Parenthood.” There could be bias in their reporting if it would give credence to PP, who is leader in providing abortions. (Amos 3:3) “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” —WWM
Christian Doctors Acting — Christian Medical Assoc. CEO Dr. David Stevens said, “The scientific findings in this (Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act) are clear and compelling. Women deserve to know exactly what an abortion involves for their baby. Imagine the heartbreak a woman would experience after being led to believe that her 22-week developing baby is simply a ‘blob of tissue’ only to learn after an abortion that her baby likely experienced excruciating pain. This bill sets the record straight and makes sure women are provided with the facts.” (Christian Medical &Dental Assoc., 1/2/07)
Psychology’s Flaws — “Nine same-sex couples are suing the state of Maryland, claiming that its ban on same-sex ‘marriage’ has caused them legal, financial and emotional harm. The American Psychological Association (APA) agrees, and is asking the state psychologist group to file a brief in support of the couples.” (Citizen, 1/07) Since psychology is a study of mental behavior, and behavior is the resulting activity of mental status, it seems the APA have bogged down in their own mire. They certainly have not consulted the mind of God in their findings. They have “tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.” (Psa. 78:56,57) —WWM