Are we missing something?
Or Why today's church is so weak! Part 1
Matthew 28:16-20 (NASB) 16But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
I am going to do a series of teachings on some of the things I feel are missing in the body of Christ today. As a young Christian I grew up in a fundamental Bible thumping and hell preaching non-denominational church. At the time I did not notice that the one thing missing was the power of the Holy Spirit. They had come to the "theological" decision that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had passed away with the original Apostles. But that is in another teaching coming soon!
Today I want to look at Jesus' words and see how old slue foot has softened or changed them to fit his devious purpose. Even though the fundamental Christian church I attended had missed the target on the workings of the Spirit in today's world, they were right on when it came to "Biblical" baptism. But, in the thirty plus years of my being a worker for Christ I have seen so many perversions of the scriptures on baptism. Yes, perversions. Why, do I say this? Show me one scripture, just one scripture that describes an infant being sprinkled with water and referring to it as baptism. Just one that is all I ask! The Greek word here means to totally cover or immerse. Matthew 3:16 (NLT) 16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. The Greek here means exactly that "up" out of. Please explain to me how Jesus came up out of the water if John sprinkled his holy water on Jesus? Along those lines someone please explain to me how an infant can be baptized for the remission/forgiveness of its sins Acts 2:38 "…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."? One of my other pet peeves are the pastors that love to put off a person being baptized until a convenient time or worse never worry about it. Jesus felt it so important that He would or could not start His ministry until He was baptized. Should we be baptized as soon as possible? What example does the word give; Acts 8:35-39 (KJV) 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36And 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? 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Yet, Christians today look upon baptism as some bible extra that we can take or leave. No wonder today's church and average Christian has no power in their lives. While we are on my pet peeves, this one really gets my dander up. It is the Pentecostals who put all the importance on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and send water baptism to the back pew or worse the broom closet. I have attended, worked in and pastured so many Pentecostal churches that were so focused on the baptism of the Holy Sprint that they did not even have a baptistery in their church. Let's see what Peter said about this, Acts 10:44-48(NLT) 44Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message. 45The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. 46And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, 47"Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" 48So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. I don't know about you, but, it sure seems that Peter thought it important that these new converts be baptized.
It is strange in a way but I can still remember my baptism as if it just happened. I was baptized in a small Christian church in Colorado by an old pastor about half my height. I went down in that water and came up a different person. The water was not cold, the sanctuary was not cold, but I could not stop shivering. It was not the shiver of being cold but of being a new person, a new person in Christ, having the Holy Spirit in me. No I do not mean the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That is totally different and again another teaching in this series.
So what do I mean? The verse that most every true Christian knows, Acts 2:38 (NLT) 38Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Did you get that "THEN" ? If I have learned one thing only in my years as a pastor and worker for Christ it is that God did not put it in the Bible if it was not important for us to know. Baptism was so important that Jesus gave it to us as the "great commission". Matthew 28:19 (NLT) 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. But more important than that was that Jesus had to be baptized before the Holy Spirit descended on Him and his ministry began. Matthew 3:13-15 (NKJV) 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 15But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. Did you get what Jesus was saying here? Jesus told John that He was doing it to "fulfill all righteousness." He was doing according to the Greek what was right, what was right in whose eyes? God's eyes, His Fathers eyes. Matthew 3:16 (NLT) 16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
Here is a Bible trivia question. How did John the Baptist know he should be baptizing people for the remission of their sins? Where in the Bible does it tell us that John was to come before Jesus and baptize? Guess what you cannot find it. Yet, John whom Jesus said was the spirit of Elijah coming in the wilderness before Him knew what was needed to "fulfill all righteousness." John did not have some old testament prophecy to show him that he was to come before Jesus and baptize souls for the remission of their sins. No that had to be a direct communication from the Father in heaven. When it was John's time he knew exactly what he had to do and how to do it. Matthew 3:11 (KJV) 11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: If we believe that Malachi 3:1 is a prophecy about John we have to note that there is no reference to him Baptizing. Where did John's knowledge of how important baptism was come from? For that answer we go to Jesus; Matthew 21:23-27 (NLT) 23When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and other leaders came up to him. They demanded, "By whose authority did you drive out the merchants from the Temple? Who gave you such authority?" 24"I'll tell you who gave me the authority to do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. 25"Did John's baptism come from heaven or was it merely human?" They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe him. 26But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed, because the people think he was a prophet." 27So they finally replied, "We don't know." And Jesus responded, "Then I won't answer your question either." So you decide!
So let me give you just a few scriptures that support this old pastors belief in the importance of being baptized as soon as possible after our conversion. Romans 6:3-4 (NLT) Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Wow! According to Paul when we are baptized we become one with Christ. So if you have never been baptized or were baptized as a baby please explain how you can have a fruitful relationship with Jesus. Paul said it not me, were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus. Gives you some real insight as to why the "we love them into the church" churches are powerless. Oh, yes some of them may be mega-churches but they are self serving mega-churches. You just do not see the overwhelming majority of their members out working in the trenches. Did you get the second thing? "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives" do you see many Christians today that truly live new lives? Do they change or do we just tell them, "it is all right we all fall down and we all get up!" Paul phrased it slightly different in Galatians 3:27 (KJV) 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. But, I really love how the New Living translations puts it. Galatians 3:27 (NLT) 27And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him. Never been baptized or was baptized as a baby? Then please explain how you can fulfill this scripture.
I can never understand how so many different religions have come up with so many different versions of being baptized or not being baptized. Paul again said it best. Ephesians 4:3-6 (NLT) 3Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. 4We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. One, what ever happened to being one in Christ?
I am going to leave you with one very scary thought. It comes from Peter one of the Lords trusted Apostles, who proved many times he was human like you and I. 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT) 18Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19So he went and preached to the spirits in prison -- those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience. In this old humble pastors mind this scripture can mean only one thing. That being baptized is very, very important to your salvation. Now, do not get on my case, trying to give me reasons this cannot be or the old what if scenarios. I believe with all my heart that Peter was trying to express just how important being baptized into Christ is. You may want to argue, you may want to disagree but I did not say it Peter did. You know where I am coming from. As I have said many times "if it is good enough for Jesus it is good enough for me!" Are you willing to risk being in open disobedience to God by not being baptized? Study the scriptures and you decide. As for me and my household we will follow Christ's example to the death.
God Bless
