|
Sermon/Lesson Title
|
|
Blessings Of Being Born Again
The apostle Peter
is sometimes called “The apostle of hope.” He often uses the word
“hope” in 1 Peter, a letter written to those who had been born again
(Christians) and had experienced the new birth. Notice his
description of them in his introduction (1 Peter 1: 1- 2).
Peter described
Christians as pilgrims—sojourners—temporary residents on earth. This
is a reminder that their citizenship was in heaven. Peter also
described Christians as the elect—or chosen ones. They had become
the chosen ones when they answered the gospel's call as the
Thessalonian Christians had ( 2 Thessalonians 2: 13, 14 ). Their
sanctification began when they were born of water and the spirit in
obedience to the spirit's teaching.
Lesson text:
1 Peter 1: 3-9. Peter now describes the many blessings that those
who have been born again enjoy. |
|
|
Acceptable Baptism
Baptism is
essential to salvation, but not every baptism is acceptable to God. Acts 19
shows that correct action, understanding, and purpose are required. This
lesson examines what the Bible teaches about true baptism—its form, faith,
and purpose—so we can be certain our obedience meets God’s standard. |
|
The Ark and
the Church
God, in His infinite wisdom, left information in the Old Testament which
helps us gain a deeper understanding of the teachings in the New
Testament that pertain to us. One method He chose was the use of types
and antitypes. The Word of God reveals that there were people and
things in the Old Testament that symbolized people and things in the New
Testament. The types were in the Old Testament and the antitypes in the
New Testament. For example, Adam was a type and Christ the antitype.
(Romans 6:14) There were similarities. Our text today, I
Peter 3:20-21,
says the water of the flood was the type and baptism is the antitype.
We will also see from this passage that the ark was a type and the
church is the antitype.
Text:
I Peter
3:18-21
|
|
One Baptism
A goal for 2011 was to read and study good books, especially
those written by faithful Christians. One I mentioned was
Voyage of Faith by
Frank Chesslr. It was published in 2010 and I intended to bring two
lessons from it.
|
|
The
Paralytic
Bobby Stafford |
|
The Baptisms of
the New Testament
Bobby Stafford
 |
|
What is Baptism?
The word Baptize is a
transliteration of the word "baptizo". Transliteration was a process whereby
the translators who rendered our first English Bible dealt with words which had
no direct English equivalent. Examples of transliterated words would be the
words Leviathan & Behemoth" found in Job 40 and 41. The word "Baptizo" has
English equivalents, but was transliterated into the word "baptize" to avoid
persecution from local church authorities who routinely practiced "water
sprinkling and/or pouring" as a method of water baptism. They would have
completely rejected a translation that advocated immersion into water in direct
conflict with their form of water baptism. |
|
New Testament Baptism
The
New Testament gives a number of illustrations of baptism which show beyond any
doubt that those who had been baptized were fully submerged in water. By
following the pattern as given in scripture and as employed by the early New
Testament church, we are assured of God's acceptance of our baptism.
|
|
Is Baptism a Work?
The truth is, most denominational folks have
little difficulty in acknowledging that both faith and repentance are
requirements for the remission of sins, even though they are classified as works
in the Scriptures (Acts 26:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:11). The real point of contention is baptism. Some feel that if it
were conceded that baptism is essential to salvation, this would be equivalent
to arguing that forgiveness is earned. Baptism, it is charged, is a work of
human merit. Under this assumption, it is thus (by many sincere people) excluded
as a requirement for salvation.
|
|
Gift of the Holy Spirit?
Bobby Stafford |
|
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
There are two instances in the Bible of
Holy Spirit baptism. Once for the Jews on the day of Pentecost,
Acts 2.
Once the Holy Spirit fell upon those assembled, Peter started preaching in verse
14. The arrival of the Holy Ghost came before anybody started preaching.
This is significant in that there was no way anybody could have had anything to
believe prior to anything being said. Those in the denominational world
teach that at the moment of our belief in Jesus, we are baptized by the Holy
Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the Jews on the day of
Pentecost happened prior to any spoken word whatsoever. |
|
Which Baptism?
There is more than one baptism mentioned
in scripture. How does the diligent Bible student know for sure which one
applies to us? A careful study of scripture reveals the answer to this
question beyond any doubt whatsoever.
In the great commission, Jesus commanded
us to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:",
(Matthew
28:19). Jesus specifically commanded that every nation on earth be
baptized, so we know from this scripture that Baptizing is required in order to
be obedient to Jesus Christ.
|
|
I Never Knew You
Pat Cowden |
|
Why A Second Baptism?
Bobby Stafford |
|
Baptism Is
What does the Bible say about
Baptism? Where in the Bible can I find verses on baptism?
Scriptures on Christian baptism have been assembled and published here.
The Bible is always its own best commentary. When considering the topic
of Christian baptism, it is important to note that we do not learn
everything about it and what its significance is from any single
context. To gain a thorough understanding we must consider all of
what the inspired writers taught about baptism and put it all together
into a single doctrinal teaching and then apply it correctly to our
lives. All scripture references are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
Baptism is…
Baptism is commanded:
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts
10:48).
Baptism is urgent:
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
(Acts 8:36). And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
|
|
Nicodemus and the New
Birth
Don Cope |
The
church of Christ
