Category: Baptism
Subject: Baptism
Invitation: Baptism in Water
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The texts of 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 8:36 show clearly that baptism for the remission of sins is baptism in water.
Invitation: One Way to Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
The world tries to convince us that there are many ways to reach heaven. In this lesson, Josh reveals the one way to be saved.
In the News: Baptism Permits?
In a Fox News (internet) story from August 30, writer Todd Starnes reported:
“The National Park Service began enforcing a policy recently that required churches to obtain special use permits in order to baptize in public waters. As part of the same permit process, the NPS also mandated that churches give the Park Service 48 hours advance notice of pending baptisms.” (story link here)
Missouri Baptists complained vociferously about the restrictions, as it impacted their practice (for generations) of baptizing in area rivers.
Invitation: Tension then Rejoicing
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
It is easy to see the point at which the penitent achieved reconciliation with God in the New Testament. In examples such as the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8), Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9) and the Philippian Jailor (Acts 16), those who heard the gospel and were convicted of their sin were concerned, showing immediate desire to respond to God’s commands. Having done so, and finally being baptized for the remission of their sins, they “went on their way rejoicing.”
The Patternists: The Five Steps to Salvation
The question is as old as the Kingdom itself, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (cf. Acts 2:37). When confronted with the reality of sin, those convicted of their guilt desire to know what they must do to be saved from condemnation.
An examination of God’s word reveals five things to be done for a person to be saved. So, Christians have often referred to the five steps to salvation. This phrase has been ridiculed as simplistic, legalistic, PATTERNISTIC. What it is, is scriptural.
- HEAR. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
- BELIEVE. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…” (Romans 10:10).
- REPENT. “Repent…for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).
- CONFESS. (That “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Acts 8:37) “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
- BE BAPTIZED. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
The process of passing from death to life begins when an alien sinner hears the good news of Jesus Christ, and is completed when he arises from the waters of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
For those who object to such a listing of steps to salvation, we ask two simple questions. Are any of the listed steps unnecessary? Did we leave any steps out? In reality, this teaching approach has led to the salvation of multitudes. The gospel is sublime, but simple.
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Sermon: Divergent Views of Baptism
The conversion of Lydia and her household (Acts 16) is contrasted with a modern, evangelical example of Baptism.
Sermon: What About the Thief on the Cross
When a discussion centers on what a man must do to be saved, it is commonly asked “What about the thief on the cross?” Does Jesus’ pardon of the thief, recorded in Luke 23, have any bearing on what He expects of us as we respond to the gospel?
Invitation: The Road to Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson
Josh uses the Paul’s epistle to the Romans to talk about the road to salvation. He emphasizes the need for salvation, how salvation is obtained, the need to remain on the road, and how that can be done.
Sermon: Age of Accountability
Sermon by Marc Smith.
In this lesson Marc answers from scripture the often troubling question, “When do children become accountable for sin, before Almighty God?” Scriptural principles give parents guidance on the question.
Examine Yourselves – Are You Saved?
It is an unfortunate truth that many are deceived in their belief that they are saved. While they may sincerely believe such to be true, their view is based upon their own subjective feelings in the matter, rather than the objective reality that they have satisfied the requirements given by the Holy Spirit in scripture.
Others may be unsure of their standing before God. This can be beneficial if it brings a careful examination of their faith before Him. However, constant questioning can undermine the faith, bring anxiety and unhappiness, and have a negative affect on the spiritual growth of the Christian. With this in mind, we ask the following questions as a means to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Sermon: Salvation and the Man from Ethiopia
Sermon 5 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster
The conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) is examined, to determine what did and did not happen in the conversion. The lesson’s application contrasts what men teach and what the Bible reveals that a man must do to be saved.
Invitation: Physical VS Spiritual Cleansing
Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson
We take baths each day to cleanse ourselves physically, and yet so many are unwilling to wash in water to cleanse ourselves from the filth of sin. Why is that? Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Sermon: The Ephesian Disciples
In Acts 19:1-7, Paul came across some disciples in Ephesus that knew only the baptism of John. An examination of the text allows us to refute some common religious error regarding the reception of the Holy Spirit, and the nature of authorized Christian baptism.
In the News: Criticizing the Five Step Plan
I recently was sent an article titled, “Do We Have A Catechism?”, written by Ken Green. The form the article took, and the comments following, indicate that brother Green had posted it to his Facebook page.
Though brother Green gave no specifics in the article, it was critical of the preaching and attitudes of Christians in the past. Notice the following two quotes:
We do not have catechism classes that insist on the rote learning of the proper responses to various questions about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, faith, baptism, worship, and other doctrines. But, by and large, our people have done quite well in memmorizing (sic) things they can recite on a moment’s notice, while, too often, having little understanding of the material and never really growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
But there was a stretch of many years when at least a couple of generations grew up in our churches without hearing much about love, grace and forgiveness and how we’re supposed to treat each other, and it had some devastating effects.
Brother Green took issue with the call made for “distinctive preaching” and said that what was meant is that we should be “reciting the catechism.” It is becoming fairly common to hear a rather dismissive attitude towards the faith and practice of earlier generations of Christians. This is unfortunate.
Continue reading “In the News: Criticizing the Five Step Plan”
