Results 61 - 80 of 118
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: kin Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26643 | ||
Searcher, If you would like I would be willing to do a study on Acts 10:46-47 with you. Before this conversion, there were no Gentiles in the Kingdom of God. The Spirit came on them suddenly without warning, in the same way it came on the Apostles (Acts 11:15). Both events were to usher in the Kingdom of God, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. There is much more to be said. Let me know if you want to dig in! A study on the Spirit and baptism is indepth and involved and can't be understood unless one really wants to search(no pun intended)it out. As far as Acts 2:38, I wrote my comment in my other post. Kin |
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62 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26645 | ||
Acts 2:38 1Peter 3:20-21 (this water (baptism) saves you) Mark 16:16 Col.3:20 Rom. 6:1-10 Gal. 3:26-27 John 3:3 Kin |
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63 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26649 | ||
My "assumption" on the history of the church can be looked up by you. Don't beleive me Nolan, go look for yourself and get back to me if you want. Kin |
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64 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26651 | ||
The Sinners Prayer - Part 1: A Great Cataract of NonsenseSteven Staten - Congregational Elder: Chicago Church of Christ - Wednesday, April 11, 2001C.S. Lewis used the term "a great cataract of nonsense" to describe how people use a modern idea to construe Bible theology. One such example, perhaps the best example, is a conversion method called the Sinner's Prayer. It is more popularly known as the Four Spiritual Laws. Lewis used this term to describe what happens when someone looks backward at the Bible based only on what he or she has known. Instead, an evangelical should first discern conversion practices from Scriptures and then consider the topic in light of two thousand years of other thinkers. As it is, a novel technique popularized through recent revivals has replaced the biblically sound practice. Today, hundreds of millions hold to a belief system and salvation practice that no one had ever held until relatively recently. The notion that one can pray Jesus into his or her heart and that baptism is merely an outward sign are actually late developments. The prayer itself dates to the Billy Sunday era; however, the basis for talking in prayer for salvation goes back a few hundred years. Consider the following appeal: "Just accept Christ into your heart through prayer and he'll receive you. It doesn't matter what church you belong to or if you ever do good works. You'll be born again at the moment you receive Christ. He's at the door knocking. You don't even have to change bad habits, just trust Christ as Savior. God loves you and forgives you unconditionally. Anyone out there can be saved if they ... Accept Christ, now! Let us pray for Christ to now come into your heart." | ||||||
65 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26655 | ||
Sound familiar? This method of conversion has had far-reaching effects worldwide as many have claimed this as the basis for their salvation. Yet, what is the historical significance of this conversion? How did the process of rebirth, which Jesus spoke of in John 3, evolve into praying him into one's heart? I believe it was an error germinating shortly after the Reformation, which eventually caused great ruin and dismay in Christendom. By supplying a brief documentation of its short, historical development, I hope to show how this error has served as "a great cataract of nonsense". The Reformation Although things weren't ideal after the Reformation, for the first time in over a thousand years the general populace was reading the Scriptures. By the early 1600s, one hundred years after the Reformation was initiated, there were various branches of European Christendom that followed national lines. For instance, Germans followed Martin Luther. There were also Calvinists (Presbyterian), the Church of England (Episcopalian), various branches of Anabaptists and, of course, the Roman church (Catholics). Most of these groups were trying to revive the waning faith of their already traditionalized denominations. However, a consensus had not been reached on issues like rebirth, baptism or salvation--even between Protestants. The majority still held to the validity of infant baptism even though they disagreed on its significance. Preachers tended to minimize baptism because people hid their lack of commitment behind sayings like "I am a baptized Lutheran and that's that." The influence of the preachers eventually led to the popular notion that one was forgiven at infant baptism but not yet reborn. Most Protestants were confused or ambivalent about the connection between rebirth and forgiv | ||||||
66 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26656 | ||
The Great Awakening The Great Awakening was the result of fantastic preaching occurring in Europe and the eastern colonies during the early to mid 1700s. Though ambivalent on the practice of baptism, Great Awakening preachers created an environment that made man aware of his need for an adult confession experience. The experiences that people sought were varied. Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield and John Wesley furthered ideas of radical repentance and revival. Although there is much to be learned from their messages, they did not solve the problems of the practices associated with baptism and conversion. Eventually, the following biblical passage written to and inspired for lukewarm Christians became a popular tool for the conversion of non-Christians: "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ....Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:14-20) This passage was written explicitly for lukewarm Christians. Now consider how a lecturer named John Webb misused this passage in the mid 1700s as a basis of evangelizing non-Christians: "Here is a promise of Union to Christ; in these words, I will come in to him. i.e. If any Sinner will but hear my Voice and open the Door, and receive me by Faith, I will come into his Soul, and unite him to me, and make him a living member of that my mystical body of which I am the Head." (Christ's Suit to the Sinner, 14) Preachers heavily relied on Revelation 3:20. By using the first-person tense while looking into the sinner's eyes, preachers began to speak for Jesus as they exhorted, "If you would just let me come in and dine with you, I would accept you." Even heathens who had never been baptized responded with the same or even greater sorrow than churchgoers. As a result, more and more preachers of Christendom concluded that baptism was merely an external matter--only an outward sign of an inward grace. In fact, Huldreich Zwingli put this idea forth for the very first time. Nowhere in church history was such a belief recorded. It only appears in Scripture when one begins with a great cataract of nonsense. In other words, it only appears in the New Testament through the imagination of readers influenced by this phenomenon. | ||||||
67 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26657 | ||
Want part 2 and 3? | ||||||
68 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26663 | ||
I'm sharing something that you are unfamiliar with and you say it is another Gospel? Rom.4:3-5 is very simple. When put in context with James 2:20-24 it will make more sense to you. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. Obedience to Gods Word to “repent and be baptized..” is not a work. Kin |
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69 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26665 | ||
Searching the scriptures deeper with an open heart?:-) Kin |
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70 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26799 | ||
Where does the Bible teach that water baptism is an "outward sign"? | ||||||
71 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26805 | ||
Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48; 11:1-18) INTRODUCTION 1. Up to this point, the gospel had been somewhat limited in its outreach... a. It had spread throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria - Ac 9:31 b. But other than the Samaritans (who were half Jewish), it had gone only to the Jews 2. With the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household" the first Gentiles are saved... a. A conversion noted not only because they were the first Gentiles b. But also because of the miraculous events that precipitated the conversion a. An angel appearing to Cornelius b. Peter's vision, followed by the Spirit's instruction c. The Spirit falling upon Cornelius, his family, and close friends d. Cornelius and his household speaking in tongues 3. As in the case of Saul of Tarsus, we have more than just one account of the conversion... a. There is Luke's description - Ac 10:1-48 b. There is Peter's description, as he is called to defend his actions - Ac 11:1-18 4. Important questions are raised as we consider the events of this conversion... a. Exactly when did the Spirit fall upon Cornelius and his company? b. What was the purpose of the Spirit falling upon them? c. Were they saved when the Spirit came upon them, or later when they were baptized? [These are some of the questions I intend to answer as we examine the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household". Since we have two accounts, let's consider them together as we start with...] I. A HARMONY OF THE CONVERSION OF CORNELIUS AND HIS HOUSEHOLD A. THE ANGEL APPEARS TO CORNELIUS... 1. Cornelius, a centurion, is a very religious man - Ac 10:1-2 2. The angel appears to him - Ac 10:3-6 a. With an announcement that his prayers and alms have been noticed by God b. With instructions to send for Peter; please note: 1) The angel said, "He will tell you what you must do." - Ac 10:6 2) As Peter recounts it, "...who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved." - Ac 11:14 3. Cornelius then sends two servants and a devout soldier to Peter - Ac 10:7-8 B. PETER HAS A VISION... 1. While the three men are traveling toward Peter, he has a vision - Ac 10:9-16; 11:4-10 a. It involves a sheet descending from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures b. A voice tells Peter to "kill and eat" c. Peter objects, for he has never eaten anything common or unclean d. The voice tells him, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 2. Three times the vision is repeated C. THE SPIRIT TELLS PETER TO GO WITH THE MESSENGERS... 1. The men from Cornelius arrive as Peter contemplates the vision - Ac 10:17-18; 11:11 2. The Spirit tells Peter to go, "doubting nothing, for I have sent them" - Ac 10:19-20; 11:12 3. Peter receives the men and takes six with him as they go to Cornelius - Ac 10:21-23; 11:12 D. PETER ARRIVES AT CORNELIUS' HOUSE... 1. Cornelius has gathered his family and close friends - Ac 10:24 2. Peter deflects an attempt by Cornelius to worship him - Ac 10: 25-26 3. Peter explains his presence a violation of Jewish custom, but now understands "I should not call any man common or unclean" - Ac 10:27-28 4. Asked by Peter to explain why he was called, Cornelius recounts the appearance and instructions of the angel - Ac 10:29-32; 11:13-14 5. Cornelius and his household were ready "to hear all things commanded you by God" - Ac 10:33 |
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72 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26806 | ||
E. AS PETER BEGINS TO SPEAK, THE SPIRIT FALLS UPON THE LISTENERS... 1. At this point, we need to carefully note the actual sequence of events 2. Luke's record gives attention to the sermon first, and then the Spirit coming upon the Gentiles - cf. Ac 10:34-44 a. But Luke also says that "while Peter was still speaking... the Holy Spirit fell" b. From this we do not exactly when the Spirit fell c. It could have been at the beginning, in the middle, toward the end, of his sermon 3. Peter, however, explained what happened "in order from the beginning" - Ac 11:4 a. He describes the events as they happened b. He says "as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them" - Ac 11:15 4. So we learn from Peter that the Spirit actually came upon the Gentiles at the BEGINNING of the sermon! 5. With the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles, they began speaking with tongues, which amazed Peter and his Jewish companions - Ac 10:45-46; cf. Ac 2:4,6,8,11 F. PETER'S SERMON TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF CORNELIUS... 1. He begins with a full perception that God shows no partiality - Ac 10:34-35 a. A perception started with the vision of the sheet and unclean beasts b. A perception continued with the Spirit's instruction to go with the messengers c. A perception made clear with the Spirit falling upon the Gentiles - Ac 11:15-17 2. Peter then proceeds to proclaim Jesus Christ - Ac 10:36-43 a. As Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power - Ac 10:36-38 b. Who was killed, but then raised from the dead and seen by eyewitnesses who knew Him well - Ac 10:39-41 c. Who has commanded the apostles to proclaim Him as ordained by God to be the Judge of the living and dead - Ac 10:42 d. Through Whom remission of sins is offered to those who believe - Ac 10:43 G. PETER COMMANDS THEM TO BE BAPTIZED... 1. How could anyone forbid water to those who had received the Spirit just as the apostles did? - Ac 10:47; cf. 11:17-18 2. So Cornelius and his household were commanded to be baptized in the name of the Lord - Ac 10:48 [The events surrounding this conversion are certainly remarkable. They evidently were intended to convey important truths. As we endeavor to glean what those truths were, here are some...] |
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73 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26807 | ||
II. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THIS CONVERSION A. RELIGIOUS PEOPLE NEED TO BE SAVED... 1. Many people believe that if you are religious, you will be saved a. That if you go to church, do good, etc., you have a hope of heaven b. That you will have earned the right to enter heaven 2. Yet, though Cornelius was a man who... a. Was a devout man b. Feared God with his whole family c. Gave alms generously d. Prayed to God always ...he still needed to be told "words by which you and all your household will be saved" 3. Clearly, being religious isn't what saves you (it's the blood of Christ!) B. THE GOSPEL IS FOR ALL... 1. Peter perceived that God is no respecter of persons - Ac 10: 34-35 2. Indeed, God desires that ALL men be saved - cf. Jn 3:16; 1 Ti 2:3-6; 2 Pe 3:9 -- Therefore He has not predestined some to be saved and others lost! C. THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT FALLING... 1. Some presume that the purpose was to save Cornelius and his family a. That therefore they were saved before obeying the command to be baptized b. But the Spirit came upon them as Peter "began to speak", before they could hear words by which they could be saved! - cf. Ac 11:14-15 2. The purpose of the Spirit can be gleaned from the following: a. The effect it had on the Jewish brethren who were present, and Peter's response - Ac 10:45-47 b. The reaction of the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem when Peter told them what happened - Ac 11:17-18 c. Peter's explanation at the council held later in Jerusalem - Ac 15:7-11 3. The purpose of the Spirit falling on them was therefore to show Jewish brethren... a. That God was no respecter of persons - Ac 10:34-35 b. That God was willing to grant them opportunity to repent and have life - Ac 11:18 c. That Gentiles could be saved in the same way as Jews... 1) By faith, repentance, and baptism - Ac 15:9,11; cf. 2:38 with 10:48 2) Which faith comes through hearing the word of God - Ro 10:17 D. THE POINT AT WHICH CORNELIUS WAS SAVED... 1. Remember that Cornelius was told to send for Peter, who would tell him: a. "what you must do." - Ac 10:6 b. "words by which you...shall be saved." - Ac 11:14 2. From this, and from what we have already seen in other conversions... a. Cornelius was not saved until he heard the "words" (i.e., after the sermon) b. Cornelius was not saved until he obeyed what he was told to do c. What were the words he was told to do? 1) Certainly they were told to believe, as implied in Ac 10:43 2) Clearly they were told to be baptized, as commanded in Ac 10:48 3. Thus Cornelius and his household were not saved until they "believed and were baptized"! - cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 8:12,13 |
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74 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26808 | ||
1. So while miraculous events surrounded the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household", their salvation was no different from what we have already seen... a. They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ b. They were taught to believe and be baptized -- Thus they were saved "in the same manner" as all those previously 2. As Peter said at the council, it is "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" that both Gentiles and Jews are saved - cf. Ac 15:11 a. We are saved by grace, not works - cf. Ep 2:5,8; Ti 3:4-5 b. For it is not enough to be religious... 1) Who could be more religious than Cornelius? 2) Or even the 3000 at Pentecost, or the Ethiopian eunuch? 3. The grace of God which saves does require a response, however... a. A response of faith - Ac 10:43 b. A faith in Jesus that comes by hearing the gospel - Ac 10:42 c. A faith which expresses itself in obedience - cf. He 5:9 1) E.g., repentance and baptism - cf. Ac 2:38; 3:19; 10:48 2) Not as works of merit, but as acts of faith by which one receives God's grace Those of us who are not descended from Israel can rejoice in what God revealed with the conversion of "Cornelius And His Household". As properly concluded by the Jewish brethren in Jerusalem: "...God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." (Ac 11:16) |
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75 | is the bible the inerrent word of God? | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26809 | ||
OK. I ended up with the post in my email. Sorry. Kin |
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76 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26813 | ||
To understand conversion one has to understand the book of Acts. All the letters were written to churches; christians. Of coarse you won't find the details of conversion in the letters because they were written to people that already knew how to be converted. This explains why it doesn't always mention repentence, but it is essential to salvation. Does the lack of mentioning repentance nullify the need to repent? No. It is the same with baptism. So, again I say, look to the book of Acts. There you find baptism everywhere! I have wrestled with this subject from both points of veiw for the past 6 1/2 years and the scripture proves again and again when taken in context, that Gods command to be baptized is essential to salvation. Have you sincerely looked at this issue from both points of veiw without any preconceived notions? Can it hurt? If I didn't care I wouldn't keep this up. Kin |
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77 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26840 | ||
The point being made was that baptism isn't a work but it is an act of obedience to Gods command. I don't preach two gospels but one. Rightousness in the old test. was obtained through the same faith that saves us in the new test. but with different conditions. Gen. 12 God called Abram to leave his country. His faith was shown from the very beginning through his obedience. The new test. commands us to be baptized (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16:Matt. 28:18-20). Your faith is reflected in your obedience to Gods command. Kin |
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78 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 26842 | ||
Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21 This water now SAVES you Acts 2:38 |
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79 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 27292 | ||
The old test. sacrifices were animals and couldn't completely cleanse. Jesus is the new "condition". Completed at his death. The curtain of the temple was ripped in two. Signifing the end of the old covenent and the beginning of the new. Baptism is "being buried with him in his death..."Rom 6:1-10. No one was buried in Jesus death in the old test. He came, died and estalished it at "the proper time." God changed the "conditions" because The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God."First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Kin |
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80 | what is baptism | Bible general Archive 1 | kin | 27544 | ||
I like to use the example in 2 Kings 5. Although it has nothing to do with salvation, it has a lot to do with faith and illustrates a good point. Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife.She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elishas house.Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, Wash and be cleansed!" So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant." Point to make is this: Naaman went on the word of the servant girl to be healed. When arriving at the prophets house he didn’t get what he expected and went off in a rage. Would he have been healed if he didn’t go to the Jordan and dip himself seven times as he was instructed? Was it the water that healed him? Or was it faith, accompanied by obedience that healed him. It was his faith that the prophet could heal him and his obedience to go into the water that healed him. It is the same with baptism. Does the water save you? Or is it the faith accompanied by obedience that saves you? It is the faith that Jesus is the Son of God and obedience to the command to be baptized that saves you. Without faith your just getting wet; without obedience you are disobeying God. As John states “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says I know him but does not do what he commands is a liar and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4 Or as Paul states in Col. 2:12-“Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead.” Rom. 6 is the potrayal of what happens to the person at baptism. That is why he address the Christians, Don’t you know? Of course they do, baptism was a given back then. Kin |
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