Baptism for Forgiveness of Sins

Inspired to Obey

Ken

One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me explain. 

The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us: 

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV). 

Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us. 

Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit. 

Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit? 

Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit. 

That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.  

“I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38. 

Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit? 

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). 

But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant? 

Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us. 

It is Jesus that saves us. 

What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost 

Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.

By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts: 

“And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). 

Did you notice that?

Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  

But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was: 

“I’ll put My Spirit in you” 

 and 

“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” 

What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them.  It meant

The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God. 

Praise God! 

When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation. 

I have come to the conclusion that

The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience. 

Hallelujah! 

Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything! 

Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

May you be inspired to obey God! 

Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.

What Angers God?

Ken

“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). It is only fair to warn, God is a just God and does become angry with the wicked so that He will execute irreparable judgment, if He must. We have been rightly taught, “God is love” (1John 4:8, 16), but He is also a holy God. 

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). 

UCRT Cross Reference note on Hebrews 12:14:

“Holiness is an absolute requirement for salvation in this life.” The Greek verb underlying ‘holy’ does not occur in the future tense in the New Testament. Therefore, complete sanctification or holiness is a requirement in this life, not the other side of the grave (cf., Malcolm L. Lavender, The Fallacy of the ‘Sinning Christian,’ p. 95, and Lavender’s New Testament: A Literal Translation).

God’s anger is completely justifiable against wickedness, but humanity’s frustration about holiness is also recognizable. 

If we have been taught humankind is inescapably sinful, then only the grave would cure sin. However, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Cleansing from all unrighteousness is then present holiness. 

If we have been taught that flesh is sinful, then again, only the grave can cure that. However, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 3:21). Baptism does not represent taking a bath for our flesh, but a good conscience toward God, which saves us. 

If we have been taught that obedience to God is a good work, then we are not saved by good works. However, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:21-24). Dead works and the works of faith must be carefully distinguished to walk in complete sanctification and holiness. 

After the Cross, the greatest discovery is to find the Promised Spirit of the New Covenant is for the express purpose of inspiring us to walk in obedience to the Living God. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Now, Peter’s inaugural sermon for the Church becomes more apparent. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). The Spirit of Christ inspires — not forces — us to obey God. Once forgiven, we again can walk with God. 

Father, we are so desirous not to make You angry. We understand our obedience is not a tribute to us, but homage to You that You work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). May we learn to walk in Your Spirit to Your glory and to put to flight the enemy. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen. 

earth

What Is Baptism for the Dead?

Ken

I’m not Mormon, yet Paul did say, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29 KJV). Baptism depicts: “we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is a Loyalty Oath of confessing ‘Jesus is Lord’ before the world, required by those who do the baptizing, so the convert can have the understanding they are now saved. “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NET). 

[This is a longer entry. Scan ahead to see how long.]

Mormons believe, “With a few exceptions everyone will be redeemed” — kind of a universalism — but first, Mormons will go to Paradise, everyone else will go to Spirit Prison, where “Righteous spirits” will preach to them, giving them a chance to repent. Meanwhile, on earth, Mormon faithful will consent to be “baptized or confirmed by proxy for (in behalf of) someone,” which would be done in Mormon temple worship, i.e., being baptized for the dead. But, before dealing with Baptism for the Dead —

How does Scripture deal with Mormon beliefs? 

First, since God was here first, humanity in general, and Mormons in particular, have the burden of proving their case to God. In other words, God is the Judge, not you. Remember, the words of Joseph Smith or Doctrines and Covenants do not establish truth, but must reply to What Saith the Scripture? “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” (Job 38:2-4 KJV). 

Second, Mormons significantly add to the divine revelation of the traditional Word of God by establishing the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price as of equal importance. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). 

Third, Mormons fatally mistake Jesus as merely one of the gods or simply a spirit brother of Lucifer, when He is in fact the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, Him By Whom All Things Consist, Him With Whom We Have to Do, the Judge of All the Earth, the Savior of the World. “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:9-11).

Fourth, Mormons misrepresent the afterlife, since Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) informs us that the Rich Man in “hell” (Greek, hadēs) was not exceptionally evil, just rich, was not debating for a second chance, no Righteous Spirit was attempting to gain his repentance, and a “great gulf fixed” (16:26) prevented his escape or help ever to reach him. 

Now, what about Paul’s statement, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29)? 

First, evangelical Bible interpreters do not agree what baptism for the dead must absolutely mean, but it concerns the resurrection, i.e., why baptism for the dead, “if the dead rise not at all?” (15:29). 

Second, since evangelical Bible interpreters (along with Mormons) have offered their opinions, so I offer my opinion. I will paraphrase 1Corinthians 15:29, ‘Else what shall they do which are baptized concerning or because of the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized concerning or because of the dead?” 

Third, baptism is not then for the benefit of the dead or departed ones (as Mormons mistakenly believe), baptism is concerning or because of the dead, who will resurrect with Christ, as shall we, who are baptized. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:13). Baptism is that truth representing our death to sin, conversion to Christ, forgiveness of our sins, reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), resurrection to new life, and final resurrection to eternity in Heaven with Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). 

Father, cause Your Spirit to bless us with a revelation of Your Son to us. May our appreciation of Baptism for the Dead be an occasion for rejoicing what You have done for us, giving us newness of life in Christ Jesus. Magnify Your name. Lord Jesus, return quickly for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.