Wednesday, December 28, 2005

True Biblical Fellowship

There are four important ministries and activities in the early Church (Acts 2:42) - The apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. My last posting was "The Goal of our instruction" which essentially concerns the importance of the Apostles's Doctrine. I have also posted two messages concerning the Holy Communion - "Biblical Background of the Bread and the Wine" (April, 21st 2005) and "Biblical Significance of the Holy Communion" (April, 27th 2005).

This message concerns "Fellowship". Notice that the "Breaking of bread" does not mean only the part-taking of the Holy Communion but also concerns the sharing of meals together among believers (Acts 2:46). The needs of sharing among believers, being part of fellowship, will be discussed in this message.

The Basis of Fellowship

The word "fellowship" comes from the Greek word "koinonia" which means "sharing together" or "having things in common".

Paul said, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor. 1:9, NKJV, emphasis added).

In other words, the main purpose of our salvation is to have fellowship with the Godhead. Notice the phrase "called into" indicates that fellowship is a goal (or an end) and not a means of achieving a goal. The "means" of achieving the goal of fellowship with the Godhead are witnessing and preaching the Gospel to unbelievers.

On this basis, we can define the Gospel as God's invitation to the human race to share the eternal fellowship of the Godhead.

Eternal Fellowship of the Godhead

The Godhead is eternal in nature; God is eternally the Father; He is eternally the Head of Jesus Christ and both of Them have eternal fellowhip in the Holy Spirit. All God's purposes including creation are born out of fellowship of the Godhead.

Here are some examples:

1. Creation of man is a collective decision of the Godhead in counsel:

God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; .... " (Gen. 1:26).

2. Collective decision to drive man out of the Garden of Eden:

The Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also the tree of life, and eat and live forever .... " (Gen. 3:22).

3. Collective decision to confuse men's language:

The Lord said, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech" (Gen. 11:7).

4. Collective decision to send Isaiah:

Isaiah heard the Lord said, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us" (Isaiah 6:8).

The Fellowship of Believers with one another and with the Godhead

John said, "..... that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ. And these thing we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:3, 4, emphasis added).

In other words, believers' fellowship with the Godhead makes it possible for believers' fellowship with one another. The fullness of joy comes when believers enter into fellowship with the Godhead and with one another.

God's Condition of Fellowship

John said, ".... God is light and in Him is not darkness at all. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:5, 7).

The condition of fellowshipping with God and with one another is we must walk continuously in the light. The reason being God is light. This is also the reason why believers cannot have fellowship with unbelievers because they walk in darkness before the regeneration of their spirit (2 Cor. 6:14 - 18). This does not mean, however, believers should have nothing to do with unbelievers. Believers can have friendship with them and share the Gospel with them.

The cleansing power of the blood of Jesus is also conditional. If we fail to walk in the light our sins will no be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Walking in the light is the test of our relationship with other believers. Here is a spiritual law - Out of fellowship causes the believer to be out of the light. Because the blood of Jesus does not cleanse in the dark, the believer who is out of fellowhip will continue to walk in darkness. The only way to come back into the light is by confession according to 1 John 1:9.

The protection of the blood is continuous if we continue to walk in the light and continue to have fellowship with other believers. This means that if this condition is fulfilled, it is not necessary to plead the blood of Jesus or to apply the blood in every object or situation. The important thing is not to plead the blood of Jesus but to walk in the light. If we fail to walk in the light pleading the blood of Jesus will not help us.

Fellowship is in the Realm of the Spirit

My readers should refer to my earlier postings concerning things of the spirit, soul and body.

Every man is a spirit being; he has a soul and he lives in a body. True fellowship is made possible when the man is born again by the Spirit of God. He is now able to have true fellowship with other born again believers led by the Spirit of God. His fellowship with other believers and with the Godhead is in the realm of the spirit led by the Spirit of God.

Paul said, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19, emphasis added).

All believers belong to God's family. This implies that as Christians we have horizontal and vertical relationships (fellowships). We have God as our Father and we are brothers and sisters one to another. Someone has said, you may choose your friends but you cannot choose your own family members. Therefore, whether we like one another or not we have to get along. Our soul life can be a hindrance to fellowship because we all have different temperaments. We can and will get along if we "see" one another in the spirit realm and when our soul life is under the control of our regenerated spirit led by the Spirit of God. It is the Holy Spirit that binds us together in true fellowship.

The Importance of True Spiritual Fellowship

By careful study of the New Testament Church we discover an important spiritual principle - no fellowship no spiritual birth. In other words, all spiritual births are born out of spiritual fellowship between believers one to another and with the Godhead.

Here are two examples:

1. The Birth of the First Church

I believe the Church was brought forth in a prayer meeting and not on the Day of Pentecost.

There were about 120 people gathered in a prayer meeting in an upper room in Jerusalem.

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication , with the women and Mary the mather of Jesus and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14, emphasis added).

The above verse describes a true fellowship between believers. Notice that ture spiritual fellowship always includes prayer. This is obvious because without prayer and supplication God has no part in the fellowship.

2. The First Missionary Assignment

Read Acts 13:1, 2, 3.

A group of believers including prophets and teachers were fellowshipping in the Church at Antioch. They were having fellowship with the Lord, ministering to Him, fellowshipping with one another, fasted and out of that came forth a divine purpose.

The Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2).

Notice that this divine assignment was born out of spiritual fellowship among God's people and not out of a Church Committee meeting. The end result was that they accomplished the purposes of God as recorded at the end of Acts 14.

They've got the job done because this assignment was born out the Spirit and not out of the flesh (consensus and voting) like many of our local Church programs and projects!

John said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).

Notice that "consensus and voting" in the local Church usually brings forth an "Ishmael", a product of the flesh!

John also said, "What ever is born of God overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4).

The lord of the world is Satan. Therefore what is born of God cannot be defeated by Satan. Whatever is born of God must succeed and cannot fail!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

The Goal of Our Instruction

Every Christian ministry has a goal and there are means to achieve this goal. In general, every believer is involved in teaching in more than one way - in counselling, instruction, exhortation, leading, witnessing, sharing of testimonies and preaching etc. The Bible says, irrespective of the means, the goal of our instruction (or teaching) is love.

The New American Standard is very vivid about this truth:

Paul wrote to Timothy, "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Tim. 1:5, NASV, emphasis added).

"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 13, NASV).

As a young pastor Timothy was to learn from Paul's example of ministering and teaching believers in love and sincerity. I believe any teaching or instruction of Biblical truth that does not yield love and produce loving people is missing the goal. The goal of our instruction is not only to produce knowledge but love from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. Every true teacher of the Scripture must teach in truth, faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Types of Doctrine

This message concerns the teaching of Bible Doctrine. There are two types of doctrine:

1. The Apostles' Doctrine

James said, "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (james 3:1, NKJV).

The word "teacher" comes from the Greek word "didasklos" which describes many types of instructor - communicator, doctor, master and teacher of doctrine. In the context of the above verse James was talking about teachers in general. God places great responsibility and accountability to teachers. They receive a stricter judgment because God's judgment is according to the measure of light and knowledge given to His people (Matt. 11:20 - 24). The teacher of Biblical doctrine, in particular, recieves stricter judgment because other believers' faith depends on hearing the correct or incorrect doctrine from the teacher.

When three thousand believers were added to the Church after they have heard Peter's first sermon - "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayers" (Acts 2:42).

Notice that, of the four activities of the early Church, the most important one is the learning, obeying and applying the apostles' doctrine continuouly with steadfastness. This is understandable because Paul also places great importance of the correct doctrine for new believers:

".... you are .... members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2:19, 20, emphasis added).

If believers fail to uphold the apostles' doctrine, the very foundation of their faith will be greatly weakened and thus open themselves to Satan's deceiption. Therefore I believe whenever a local Church has departed from the apostles' doctrine it will inevitably ends up in trouble and failure. In fact the average contemporary Church has already departed from the apostles' doctrine in various degrees!

2. The doctrines of demons

The counterfeits of God's Doctrine (apostles' doctrine) are the doctrines of demons:

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1).

Paul's prophecy is being fulfilled in our days - we are living in the last of the last days. Notice that demons have many doctrines which have their roots from deceiving spirits. Christians who depart from the Christian faith will be deceived by deceiving spirits and they might even "continue steadfastly" in upholding the doctrines of demons without being aware of their problem. I believe one of Satan's major tactics against the Church of Jesus Christ is to produce erroneous doctrines.

In the next two verses (1 Tim. 4:2, 3) Paul lists some of the symptoms of obeying the doctrines of demons - speaking lies in hypocrisy, having no conscience, forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from various types of food that are sanctified by God.

The Importance of the Apostles' Doctrine

Paul advised Timothy, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4:16).

In other words, Paul was saying, if you are wrong in your personal life the right doctrine would not accomplish what it should. But, if you continue to live right and preach the right doctrine then you will do well - you will save yourself and those who hear you. The reverse is also true. If a Bible teacher does not live right and preaches the wrong doctrines (doctrines of demons) he brings death (spiritual first and followed by physical) to himself and death to those who hear him!

The apostle John gave some good advice to a Christian (elect) lady concerning false teachers of doctrine:

"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (2 John 9 - 11, emphasis added).

What radical statements and what a solemn warning!

Notice that the "doctrine of Christ" means the "doctrine taught by Christ and His apostles" which is the apostles' doctrine steadfastly followed by the early Church.

John pointed out that a teacher who does not teach the correct apostles' doctrine is not a true Christian (one without the Father and the Son) and we must neither greet him nor welcome him in our home or we will share his evil deeds. We must have nothing to do with such a fake "christian" but we usually greet a non Christian and welcome him in our home because he is unlikely to deceive us.

It is good that Christians today heed John's advice. The local Church must be very very careful when inviting preachers to teach the congregation of believers. A preacher who draws a large congregation of hearers does not necessarily mean his doctrine is correct. In fact he should be a suspect of being a teacher of wrong doctrine until he is proven otherwise. He must be tested. The genuine uncompromising apostles' doctrine is unlikely to attract many hearers. It is more likely that many will run away the Church.

The Apostles' Doctrine as a Reproductive Ministry

Teachers of Bible doctrine can be divided into two levels - those who initiate and those who reproduce. The apostles' doctrine is initiated by all the apostles. True Christians are all reproducers of this doctrine.

Paul said to Timothy, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

Notice that there are four generations of teachers of the apostles' doctrine - Paul taught Timothy; Timothy taught "faithful men" in the Church; these faithful men continued to teach other Christians.

There is reproduction in the teaching of the apostles' doctrine through the overseers (bishops) also:

Paul wrote to Titus concerning the ministry of an overseer, "..... Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict" (Titus 1:9).

Paul said the overseer is expected to teach (what he was taught) to others sound Biblical doctrine so as to exhort and convict anyone who contradicts. The only sound Biblical doctrine is the apostles' doctrine. Unsound doctrine has no power to exhort and convict anyone who contradicts.

What it takes to teach the Apostles' Doctrine? - Major Requirements

1. Total commitment to the teaching of the Gospel (Col. 1:23 - 25)

Paul's commitment to be the servant of the Gospel was total. Paul's choice is clear; first a servant of the Gospel and second a servant of the Church. As true servants of God we must not do everything the Church wants us to do, and if there is anything found contrary to the Gospel or the apostles' doctrine, we must not obey the Church.

2. Have a comprehensive grasp of the whole Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)

Every Bible teacher must study and seek to understand the whole Bible if he wants to teach the full counsel of God. For example it is not enough just to study Kings but also the Chronicles. The Chronicles explain many things which are not found in Kings. Another example is in the topic of "faith and works" we need to study both Romans and James.

3. Uncompromising

Unfortunately, most of the truth of the Scripture has been obscured by compromising in the contemporary Church. To be uncompromising is a great challenge to our character. Uncompromising teaching of the Scripture can make us unpopular among believers. Not many believers would like to join an uncompromising Church. Many teachers and believers are unable to discern between compromise and love. To many, to compromise is to love and to be without compromise is to be without love. Who wants to go to a "loveless" uncompromising Church? Many believers will not endure sound Biblical doctrine because they have itching ears (1 Tim. 4:3, 4). They want preachers to preach what they want to hear and not what they need to hear!

This truth is well illustrated by the contrast in character of Moses and Aaron. Moses would not compromise in his dealing with Israel. On the other hand, Aaron compromised and pleased men; the result is the Golden Calf (Exodus 32).

In my opinion, it is not difficult to look for "Golden Calf" Churches. They have two things in common - One, they are all large local Churches; and two, they are "purpose driven" to "love" and please people but never warn people about end-time Bible prophecies. They have no eternity in mind. They lead believers into the broad way of destruction (Matt. 7:13)!

The narrow way that leads to life is found in following and obeying the apostles' doctrine in all circumstances. The choice is ours!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Understanding Biblical Water Baptism

It is impossible for every believer of Christ to understand fully the mysteries surrounding water baptism. Similarly, it is also impossible for every believer to understand fully all the commands of Christ. But we are not called to understand all the things of God; we are only called to obey. It is the will of God that every God-fearing child of God to believe and to obey every command of Christ found in Scripture. The need of water baptism is such a command (Matthew 28:19).

Moses said to all Israel, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, ....." (Deu. 29:29, NKJV).

Solomon said, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

John said all believers are made kings and priests (by Christ) to God the Father (Rev. 1:6).

In the light of the above Scripture passages it is good for us to search out the Scripture all the "secret" things of God pertaining to water baptism. We need to identify the problems and controversies concerning the need of water baptism for all believers.

Problems identified

The following are some of the commonly asked questions pertaining to the need of water baptism:

1. Is water baptism just a sacrament (or an ordinance) like the Lord's Table (Holy Communion)?

2. Is it true that a person is not born again (or saved) until he is water baptized? In other words, is water baptism a necessary condition for salvation?

3. Is water baptism simply an outward symbolic sign of an inward spiritual experience? In other words, is water baptism a means of testifying the grace of God?

4. What is the correct mode (or form) of water baptism? Does it matter?

5. What is the correct formula of water baptism? Does it matter?

6. In summary - What is the proper Scripture answer, and what is the apostolic interpretation of the practice of water baptism in all its related areas?

As this message is not a detailed study of the doctrine of water baptism, it is not necessary to have a theological definition of water baptism. It is also not necessary to study the various interpretations of water baptism as a sacrament according to various denomination Churches. We are talking about Biblical water baptism - a Biblical practice supported by the Scripture. Or water baptism according to the apostles' doctrine. Thus we only need to give Biblical answers to the above questions.

Water Baptism and the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper

The only similarity between water baptism and the Lord's Supper is both are the commands of Christ - All believers must be water baptized once, and all must part take of the Lard's Table as often as possible. In the early New Testament Church water baptism was done outside the Church building because believers must be water baptized before they were brought into the fellowship of the local Church. Ordinances (sacraments) only have meaning when these ritualistic activities are carried out in a Church service. There was no mention of the sacrament of water baptism in the early Church because all believers were already baptized. We are told that the activities of the early Church (or Christian community) consist of teaching of the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread (the Lord's Supper and sharing of meals) and prayer (Acts 2:42).

Water baptism as a sacrament is man's idea and not God's. According to Church scholars the act of water baptism seen as a "sacrament" is to relate a physical act to a spiritual reality. Thus Christian water baptism is "an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace". Salvation is a spiritual grace of God; and water baptism is a visible physical act to testify that the person concerned is saved by grace.

Water Baptism and Regeneration (Salvation)

I prefer to use the term "regeneration" rather than the term "saved" to indicate the spiritual condition of a person when he is born again by the Spirit of God. As I have explained in some of my previous messages, "salvation" is not an instant change, but a "journey" to be taken by all believers of Christ because when we are born again only our spirit is born again. We have to wait for the final redemption of our soul and body when Christ comes again.

According to the Scripture when a person is born again by the Spirit of God he needs to be water baptized. By the examples given in the Book of Acts all believers were baptized almost immediately.

The pre-requisites of water baptism in their divine order are:

1. Repentance

The first pre-requisite is repentance. Jesus said that repentance and the remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations (Luke 24:47, emphasis added).

Notice that "Repent" was the first word of John the Baptist's message (Matt. 3:2). It is also the first word of Christ's message (Matt. 4:17).

Peter said to those who had listened to his first sermon, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins; ....." (Acts 2:38, emphasis added).

Paul preached to the Ephesians elders, ".... testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21, emphasis added).

Hence, the first requirement is "repentance" which is a person's change of mind to turn away from sin and to turn toward God.

2. Believe in the Lord Jesus

As in the above verse of Scripture (Acts 20:21) the second pre-requisite of water baptism is faith toward God through Jesus Christ which also means believe in Jesus Christ.

When Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, they came to some water and the Ethiopian asked Philip if there was anything that hindered him from being baptized. Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may" and he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37).

The Philippian jailor and his household were baptized immediately after they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31 - 33).

It may be concluded that genuine repentance precedes saving faith. The one who is to be baptized must be a repentant and believing person first. Thus the divine order is - repentance, believing faith and water baptism.

The Mark 16:16 Controversy

According to most English Bible translations Mark recorded that Jesus said to the eleven apostles, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16, NKJV, emphasis added).

In my opinion, this verse of Scripture is controversial because of two reasons:

1. It appears that the conditions for a person to be saved are "belief" plus "water baptism". Many Christians presumptuously take this verse to mean that without water baptism a person will be condemned eternally. To them water baptism is a decisive act required of a believer to determine his own eternal destiny - spiritual life or death; in heaven or in hell. In other words, anyone who believes but fails to be water baptized before he dies will not be found in heaven. Seen in this "light" salvation cannot be by the grace of God only but by "works" also. A believer needs to earn his savation by the act of water baptism. He is not saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ but saved by his own choice - to be water baptized or not.

2. There is footnote concerning the 20 verses of the 16th. Chapter of Mark of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. It says:

"Some of the most ancient authorities bring the book to a close at the end of verse 8. One authority concludes the book by adding after verse 8 the following: 'But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation'. Other authorities include the preceding passage and continue with verses 9 - 20. In most authorities verses 9 - 20 follow immediately after verse 8; a few authorities insert addition material after verse 14".

Notice that, if all versions of translation of Mark 16 do not contain 9 - 20 the question of whether water baptism is a condition of salvation or not will arise. But, as it is, we cannot take Mark 16:16 out of context. In fact we need to exercise caution in the use of this verse as proof-text for the conditions (faith + water baptism) for salvation. It should also be noted that in the second half of the verse the only basis for condemnation is a refusal to believe.

Let us look elsewhere in the Bible in order to arrive at an undisputable Biblical conclusion:

1. No mention of the requirement of water baptism when Jesus said:

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18, NKJV).

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24, NKJV).

2. Paul repeats the same assurance of freedom from condemnation for anyone who believed. Again baptism is not a requirement for freedom from condemnation:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).

The truth is a true believer lives in Christ Jesus even before he is baptized. If he is condemned when he dies before he dies before he is baptized, then Jesus would be condemned with him!

3. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3). Similarly, a born again believer believes in God and it is also accounted to him for righteousness.

Faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness before he was circumcised (Romans 4:10). Similarly, a believer's faith was accounted to him for righteousness before he is water baptized.

Therefore the undisputable conclusion is "a believer will not be condemned even if he is not water baptized". The only basis of salvation and freedom from condemnation is belief (have faith in Jesus Christ).

Water Baptism is an Act of Identification with Christ

The following passages of Scripture support the fact that in water baptism a believer is identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection:

1. The believer is identified with Christ's Death:

"Or do you not know that as many of us were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3, emphasis added)?

2. The believer is identified with Christ's Burial:

"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, ...." (Romans 6:4, emphasis added).

3. The believer is identified with His Recurrection:

"..... Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4, emphasis added).

The above is logical - as Jesus became identified with us in His death, burial and resurrection, so we become identified with Him in water baptism in this same death.

The Mode (or Form) of Water Baptism

There is no controversy here. The very word "baptize" implies total immersion. The symbolism view of identification with Christ as explained above indicates that the correct Biblical mode of water baptism is by full immersion. Only full immersion adequately sets forth properly the significance of identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4 - 6).

You cannot find a single example of other modes of water baptism (pouring or sprinkling) being practiced anywhere in the entire Book of Acts. I believe other modes of water baptism are being practiced because water baptism has become a ritualistic sacrament (or ordinance) in most denomination Churches. This is very unfortunate. It might be argued that, because water baptism is a symbolic act which does not save, there is no significant difference between full immersion and sprinkling. But we must also consider the faith and conscience of the believer being baptized. By failing to minister full immersion baptism to a Christian of "weak" conscience and of little faith, the Church would cause him to stumble. Anyone who causes a brother to stumble in faith, causes him to sin against God:

Paul said, "..... whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).

Notice that Paul would not cause any of his Christian brothers to stumble on anything (1 Cor. 8:13).

The Formula of Water Baptism

What is the right formula? To be baptized "In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Christ's Command - Matt. 28:19) or "In the Name of Jesus"?

Careful study of the Books of Acts shows that everwhere without exception all believers were baptized in the Name of Jesus. Places mentioned were - Jerusalem, Samaria, Gaza Desert, Damascus, Caesarea, Philippi, Corinth and Ephesus.

In my opinion baptism into the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is the same as baptism into the Name of the Eternal Godhead. According to the apostolic interpretation, the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit is fulfilled in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Name of the Godhead Bodily.

Paul, speaking of the Lord Jesus, says, "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9).

Paul says, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Col. 3:17, emphasis added).

Water baptism involed both words and deed and thus must be carried out in the Name of Jesus.

Who are the Baptizers?

Christians often have the notion that only the pastor or elders of the local Church have the authority to administer water baptism. But I fail to find any example in the Book of Acts or in the epistles that a baptizer must be an apostle or an elder of the Church. It is true that very ofter apostles are the baptizers but it is never a necessary condition. It is common to see Bible teachers debating whether it was possible for Peter and other apostles to baptize all three believers (Acts 2:41) immediately they had received Peter's words and believed. But this is mere speculation.

Water baptism was never self administered and another believer needs to be present to bear witness of the grace of God. The Scripture seems to suggest that just the presence of the baptizer and the one to be baptized are sufficient even though more witnesses might be more desirable.

Even Jesus Himself was baptized by John who was not himself baptized (Matt 3:14). So, the baptizer need not even be someone who is baptized already.

This fact tells me three things:

1. The three thousand who believed the words of Peter baptized one another immediately.

2. The effectiveness of water baptism seems to have depended much more on the spiritual state of the baptized than the baptizer.

3. Christians who are doing evangelism work (this applies to every believer) should baptize immediately with full immersion those who have received Christ as their Lord and Savior. This I believe is the Biblical way of fulfilling the Great Commission. Notice that Matt. 28:19 applies specifically to every believer: Make disciples and baptize them. Nothing in the Bible to say that we should bring them to the Church to get them baptized by the pastor and then make them disciples! A true believer in Christ must not be deceived by this erroneus Church doctrine but uphold the apostles' doctrine at all times.

Conclusion

Water Baptism although by the act itself cannot save must be obeyed because it is a command of Christ. Through water baptism the believer will have "the answer of a good conscience towards God". It is a conscience that is stirred up by the believers' faith towards God. It is a conscience which lines itself up by submission and obedience to the infallible Word of God.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Judgment of God by His Word

I am truly amazed by the humility of God the Father and God the Son. Their divine humility is revealed by their unwillingness to judge men.

God the Father by His sovereign eternal right is the Judge of all men. But, in John 5 Jesus reveals that the Father has chosen in His sovereign wisdom to commit all judgment to the Son:

"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him" (John 5:22, 23, NKJV).

"For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man" (John 5:26, 27).

The above passages of Scripture reveal two reasons why the Father has committed all judgment to the Son.

1. The Father wants all men to honor the Son just like they honor the Father. This is made possible when the Son becomes the judge. By being the judge Jesus receives the honor due to a judge.

2. The Son being the Son of man as well as Son of God, enables Him to understand the nature of men - the weakness and temptations of the flesh, so that he is able to make allowance in His judgment by His own human experience.

Jesus the Son being gracious and merciful in divine nature, just like the Father is unwilling to administer judgment but in turn transferred the final authority of judgment to God's Word.

Jesus says, "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him, for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:47, 48).

Therefore, the final authority of all judgment is vested in the Word of God. This is the impartial, unchanging standard to which all men must one day answer.

The Principles of Judgment of God by the Word

The Scripture reveals at least five principles of the Judgment by God's Word:

1. Judgment according to truth

Jesus prayed to the Father concerning His disciples, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17, NKJV).

The standard of God's Word is the revealed truth for very believer.

Paul says, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things" (Romans 2:1, 2, NKJV).

Paul was speaking to Christians who judge other people by one standard and themselves by another standard. God's judgment is according to one standard - the revealed truth of God's Word. If we apply the truth of God's judgment to other, we must apply precisely the same truth to ourselves and our own lives.

2. Judgment according to "deeds"

Paul says, "who (God) will render to each one according to his deeds" (Romans 2:6).

Peter says, "And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct youselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17, emphasis added).

In the final Great White Throne judgment (for unbelievers) in Revelation we read:

"And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (Rev. 20:12).

God uses special "book" or scroll to record the deeds of each person so as to judge him one day.

3. Judgment according to the secret of man's heart

The Scripture makes it clear that God, in His judgment of man, takes into account not merely external actions such as can be observed by other men, but also the deepest and most secret thoughts and motives of the heart.

Paul says, "....... God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel" (Romans 2:16).

Paul says, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God" (1 Cor. 4:5, emphasis added).

The writer of Hebrews confirms that the above judgment will be by the Word of God:

"For the word of God is living and powerful, ...... is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:12, 13, emphasis added).

4. Judgment without partiality

Paul says, "For there is no partiality with God" (Romans 2:11). The King James version says, "without respect of persons".

In other words, God is not influenced in His judgment by a person's external characteristics which do not necessarily give a correct indication of that person's real character and conduct.

The Lord said to Samuel, "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).

5. Judgment according to the light made available to those being judged

Paul says, "For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law" (Romans 2:12).

In other words, each person is judged according to the measure of God's Law (moral light and understanding) made available to him. God's Law also includes God's moral standards revealed to the people throught the law of Mosses.

Jesus applied this same principle of judgment according to the light made available to the people of His days (Read Matt. 11:20 - 24).

Jesus said, the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum will be judged even more severely than Tyre and Sidon because of the higher measure of moral knowledge made available to the cities of His days.

We need to apply this principle to our generation. We will be judged by the measure of moral light and knowledge available available in our generation. I believe countries with a long history of Christianity will be judged with higher standards than countries where Bibles and and other Christian reading materials are not easily obtainable and where professing Christians are being persecuted.

We should take heed of the words of Jesus:

"For everone to whom much is given, from him much will be required, and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:48, NKJV).

Monday, December 05, 2005

Judgment of True Christians

The New Testament Scripture reveals three scenes of Eternal Judgment of God. God being the Judge of all will sit on a different seat at each scene of Judgment. The three scenes of Eternal Judgment are - the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Throne of Christ's Glory and the Great Throne Judgment.

First Scene of Eternal Judgment

The first scene of Eternal Judgment is the judgment of true Christians before the judgment seat of Christ.

"But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:10 and 12, NKJV, emphasis added).

The above passages of Scripture which contain the phrase "your brother" twice and the phrase "each of us" make it clear that Paul is speaking about judgment of Christians. Paul says it is not right for a Christian to show contempt for another Christian or to judge another with unrighteous judgment because Christ Himself will judge with righteous eternal judgment upon every one of us. Each one of us will have to answer for himself to Christ.

True Christian will be judged first

The principle that true Christians will be judged first is based on Scripture. In fact it is a great honor to be given an opportunity to be judged first because only true Christians will be judged first.

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God; Now 'If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinners appear?'" (1 Peter 4:17, 18, emphasis added).

Notice that the way Peter uses the phrase "those who do not obey the gospel of God" shows that people of this category are not necessarily be unbelievers. This category includes disobedient believers who fail to uphold the truth of the gospel of God. They are not doers of His Word. In God's eyes they do not belong to the house of God. On the basis of this truth they cannot be classified as true Christians.

Furthermore, Peter identifies three groups of people:

1. The righteous - The true Christian who has the righteousness of God imputed to him by faith. He is considered a true believer who whole heartedly obey the gospel of God. But, in the eyes of God he is only "scarcely saved".

2. The ungodly - The so-called Christian who through disobedience and unbelief is considered as an "ungodly" Christian in the eyes of God.

3. The sinners - The unbelievers.

If you should think Peter has given an extremely high standard of requirement of being a true Christian, listen to what Paul has to say!

"... the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:7, 8, emphasis added).

The two categories of people the Lord Jesus will take vengeance on are those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obviously, those who do not know God are the unbelievers. But, according to Paul (just like Peter) those who do not obey the gospel can also be disobedient believers.

The two groups of Christians (disobedient believers) who will not be judged first are:

1. The so-called Christians (Pastors, preachers and Church leaders) who through disobedience compromise the teaching of the true Gospel of God. They make the gospel messages more "acceptable" to men so as to get more people to the local Church.

2. The so-called Christians who fail to enter the narrow gate (Luke 13:24 - 27). In fact those who compromise the teaching of the true gospel messages are indirectly making God's narrow gate broader for everyone to go in. The broad way is the way to destruction (Matt. 7:13).

True Christians are not condemned

According to the Scripture the judgment of the true Christians will not be a judgment of condemnation. This assurance comes from Jesus Himself:

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).

The distinction is clear. The true believer in Christ is not condemned; the unbeliever is condemned already on the ground of his unbelief.

Later on Jesus gives the same assurance.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).

Notice that Jesus gives a threefold assurance to every believer who accepts in faith His Word:

1. Every believer has everlasting life.

2. He has passed from spiritual death into eternal life.

3. He will never come into judgment for condemnation.

Paul gives the same assurance of freedom from condemnation:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).

The true believer is living (spiritually) in Jesus and because of this fact he will walk according to the Spirit and not in the flesh. The logical conclusion is that if he is under condemnation, then Jesus will be under the same condemnation with him.

Another area of Biblical truth revealed by the Scripture is that the true believer will be judged not in respect of righteousness but in respect of service rendered to Christ. The reason being, the righteousness of the true believer is not his own but the righteouness of Christ Himself imputed to him by God on the basis of his faith.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21, emphasis added).

At the cross Jesus exchanged our sin with God's righteousness. We all received salvation on this basis of God's righteousness imputed to us. It is obviously illogical for God to judge or to call to question His own righteousness.

The Principles of God's Judgment of the true Christians

Peter says to Christians, "And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear, ......" (1 Peter 1:17, emphasis added).

In other words, God's judgment is without partiality or in respect of persons and entirely based on the worth of one's work on earth.

Paul says to Christians, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10, emphasis added).

In other words, the things which will be brought up for judgment will be "the things done in the body". These are the acts, services together with the type of attitude and behavior of every Christian during his life here on earth.

Notice that every act or service performed by a Christian during his earthly life must fall into one of two categories - either good or bad. Every act that is not performed in faith and obedience, for the glory of God, is unacceptable to God and therefore bad. There is no neutrality or grey area. Grey area is the product of compromising Bible teachers or preachers. If a believer's acts or services are good he will receive His reward. If not his works will be burn up and he will suffer loss (1 Cor. 3:13 - 15).

Jesus says, "He who is not with Me is against Me" (Matt 12:30).

Therefore, the purpose of the judgment of Christians will be to assess their rewards.

Judgment of the true believer's service to Christ

God's purpose of judging true Christians is to assess the reward due to each true believer for his service render to Christ while on earth.

Jesus says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, ...." (John 15:16).

In other words, the main purpose of our salvation is to bear fruit for Christ. Christians are chosen by God to be saved and to bear fruit in the ministry of their individual calling.

This truth is set forth by Christ in the form of two parables; the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14 - 30) and the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11 - 17).

It is beyond the scope of this message to discuss these parables in details. In both parables there are two fruitful servants and an unfruitful servant. The fruitful servants receive their their due rewards in proportion to their fruitfulness. But the unfruitful servant will be rejected and cast out from the presence of the Lord. In both parables the Lord commences his judgment of the unfruitful servant by the phrase "you wicked servant".

An important conclusion we can make out of the studies of these parables is that, by God's standard, wickedness consists not only in actively doing that which is bad, but just as much in the failure to do good when it lies within our power to do it.

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

The prophet Malachi explains how God sees the righteous and the wicked in His judgment:

"Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him" (Mal. 3:18).

In other words, by God's Standard of judgment the righteous are defined as those who serve Him and the wicked as those who do not serve Him!