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NASB | 1 John 2:4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:4 Whoever says, "I have come to know Him," but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. |
Bible Question: How do these passages relate 1 John 2:4 and Mark 16:16. |
Bible Answer: Hi Grace and Truth, I compared Mark 16:16 with 1 John 2 and found that to my mind it relates more to verse 7. "Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard." I think that the important verses for us are verse 2 and 6 of 1 John 2. They speak of Jesus being the satisfaction for our sins and the fact that we should walk as He walked. Jesus did it all for us, we can't do a thing for making ourselves righteous. He is the righteous, 1 John 2:2, "and He (Himself) is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." By this we know that we are in Him: 1 John 2:6, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as (He) walked." In regard to your interest in the topic of baptism it could be pointed out that Jesus fulfilled our baptism as well as dying for our sins. Matthew 3:15, "But (Jesus) answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My *Beloved Son, in whom (I) am well pleased." Parentheses are mine for comparison. If we are to walk as He walked, certainly it is important to be baptized especially for its significance for the testimony before men. I would think that God would be well pleased with our water baptism ceremonies, also. But we were baptized with Him also in His death and resurrection; He did it all for us. I would go along with John the baptizer and say that "I have need to be baptized by You." The baptism of our churches are important, but I would say that we need to be baptized by the holy spirit and fire. John the baptist says in Matthew 3:11, "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the *Holy *Spirit and fire." Romans 4:4, "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in (Him) who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." So we are saved by faith and belief in Him. He is able to perform it all. Romans 4:22, "Therefore also 'It was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" Galatians 3:2, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"...Abraham believed (God), and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." From the heart, Ray |