Articles

By: Johnny O. Trail

    The congregation we attend has several people within it who are retired military. One gentleman was a jump master, and his honorable, illustrious career included HALO jumps. I once asked him, “Were you responsible for packing and inspecting your own parachute when you jumped out of planes?” He replied, “No, but we had to when we made HALO jumps.” AI defines HALO jump as, “a military-developed parachute technique where jumpers exit an aircraft at altitudes between 15,000 and 35,000+ feet, freefalling for an extended time before deploying their parachute at a low altitude (typically 3,000–5,000 feet) to avoid detection.”

    I, for one, cannot imagine jumping out of a perfectly good aircraft. I suppose that I would if the plane was going down, but it would be a harrowing experience to say the least. Still, I would imagine that one tasked with inspecting and packing his own parachute would be meticulous about the condition of the parachute and the packing thereof.  When I asked him about it,he said, “We inspected every seam.” I can see why!

    This device that is singularly responsible for preserving the life of one descending from the heavens is of the utmost importance. It is there to keep one alive, and its failure is catastrophic. I wonder if we examine our own Christianity with the same degree of scrutiny.  After all, the way we determine to live our lives before God will impact our soul’s eternal destination. While a well-crafted, well packed parachute is necessary to preserve life, the more important and weighty consideration is the safety and well-being of our immortal soul.

    It is little wonder that we are called upon to examine ourselves during the Lord’s Supper. Notice what Paul says about the nature of that examination. 1 Corinthians 11:26-28 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 

    Really, the only way that any person is made “worthy” of partaking of the Lord’s Supper is by contacting the blood of Christ at the point of baptism (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:15 et al.). The examination we engage in oftentimes includes the observation that we are not worthy by our own morality (Ephesians 2:8-9) to partake of communion. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23; 6:23), but the confession of our sins and plea for forgiveness allows us to walk in the light (I John 1: 8-10). 

    The self-examination we engage in should convict us of the enormity of our sins inasmuch as the Prince of Peace had to die a violent, shameful death so that we might be redeemed. We examine ourselves in light of His precious blood which was shed on our behalf. 1 Peter 1:18-20 says, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” We cannot begin to appreciate or fathom the debt paid at Calvary for our sins!

    The self-examination we engage in should reflect upon the love that God had for His creation. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” It is amazing to consider that God created humankind even though He knew what we would do and how that sin would require the sacrifice of His Son. Immediately after Adam and Eve’s transgression in the Garden of Eden, God made provisions for the salvation of lost humankind. Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy where God tells the serpent, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” God did not have to make provisions for our redemption, but He did because of the great love He has for us.

    The self-examination we engage in should underscore how lost and hopeless we would be without the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The only hope for our soul’s salvation is Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” If Christ had not died for our salvation, we would be completely lost and without hope.  If we are “in Him,” (Romans 6:3-4) we have all the hope that we need. Notice Hebrews 6:17-19. “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”  

    The self-examination we engage in should cause us to reflect upon the debt that we owe to God for His sacrifice. Paul understood that he was a debtor because of the grace that had been bestowed upon him. We, too, must understand the debt that we owe God for securing our salvation.  Romans 1:14-15 says, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” This debt constrains us to share the gospel with all creatures (cf. Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19).  

    Do you examine your Christianity in the same fashion that one might examine a parachute needed for surviving a jump from well over 30,000 feet in the air? A self-examination is often needed to make sure we are living in a manner consistent with God’s will.

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Ransomed by the Blood

By: Johnny O. Trail

    By now, most people have heard about Savannah Guthrie’s mother being kidnapped. At first there were serious questions about her mother’s cognitive acuity, but it appears that she was taken by people seeking bitcoin for ransom.  One source says, “Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing Sunday afternoon from her home outside Tucson, Arizona, after she did not show up at church…She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. the previous day, when family members dropped her off at home…The sheriff’s department believes Guthrie was taken ‘possibly in the middle of the night, and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction.’ The FBI is now involved in the investigation, which also includes about 100 detectives from the sheriff’s office. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would commit to sending more federal agents to assist.”

    When one talks about a ransom, we tend to understand what is meant. A person, typically of great value, is held hostage until the person’s family or loved ones pay enough money to secure the release of the one being held. This concept is even reflected in scripture. Proverbs 13:8 says, “The ransom of a man's life ishis riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.” 

    We typically think of an enormously wealthy person being taken for ransom. In regards to spiritual considerations, our sins have separated us from God. Even so, a being that is holy and dwells in pure, unapproachable light, was willing to pay a ransom for souls which are tainted by sin. Jesus says, in Matthew 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." The same concept is offered in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

    The idea of ransom paid for an individual is best explored in Hosea.  The prophet Hosea is called upon by God to marry a prostitute.  In compliance with God’s command, Hosea does this very thing. Hosea 1:2-3a says, “When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: "Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD." So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim…”

    It seems an incredible thing for God to request of the prophet. Who would consider seeking a harlot to be a wife and mother to his children? I had an uncle who use to say, “Son, if you’re going to find a wife, find her in the church.” His words were wise and correct. Nonetheless, God asks the prophet to marry a women who was engaged in harlotry and Hosea had three children by this woman—two sons and a daughter. 

    The names of these children are rather unfortunate in the translation. Notice what the prophet writes about his children in these passages. Hosea 1:3b-11 says, “…She conceived and bore him a son. Then the LORD said to him: ‘Call his name Jezreel, For in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. It shall come to pass in that day That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.’ And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him: "Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, But I will utterly take them away. Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, Will save them by the LORD their God, And will not save them by bow, Nor by sword or battle, By horses or horsemen.’ Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. Then God said: ‘Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God. "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.' Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel Shall be gathered together, And appoint for themselves one head; And they shall come up out of the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel!’” Sadly, these calamities would be visited upon the Israelites due to their spiritual harlotry in seeking false, pagan God. 

    After all of Gomer’s adulterous behavior, she is placed on the auction block to be sold into slavery. Hosea is commanded to ransom her back.  Hosea 3:1-2 says, “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.’ So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.’” The symbolism is likened unto a husband who still loves his wife even though she is engaged in an adulterous relationship. By the same token, Israel was engaged in spiritual adultery with paganism and other nations, yet God still loved them and wanted His people to return to Him.

    Hosea pays the ransom of one about to be sold into abject slavery, one who had engaged in harlotry prior to marriage, and one who had committed adultery after marrying Hosea. Who would expect one to be so loving and forgiving as Hosea seems to be in these passages? Parallel to this, who would expect God to be so loving and forgiving when the enormity of Israel’s sins is measured?

    Consequently, we see the same kind of love for those living under the New Covenant. Our sins clothed us in unrighteousness, but the blood of Jesus reconciled us to God and paid the ransom for our release from sin and death. Notice the words of Paul. Romans 5:6-11 says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

    Jesus gave Himself as a ransom so that all humankind might be saved. He loved us to that extent! 1 Timothy 2:3-6 says, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 

    Since, Jesus has paid the ransom for your soul would you not consider being His disciple? The most valuable thing you possess is your soul, and Jesus died so that you might live eternally with Him. 

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Why Are You Here?

By: Johnny O. Trail

    During a recent Wednesday night Bible class, the teacher asked those in attendance, “Why are you here?”  It is an interesting question since many people chose to be absent from Wednesday night services. Sadly, many of the congregations that I have worked with over the years have struggled to have attendance numbers that approach what the numbers of Sunday morning worship reflect. Some of the answers offered were very interesting and should be seriously considered.

    One person in the class responded, “To ‘recharge’ my batteries.” Mid-week assembly helps the child of God renew his strength as he faces the difficult circumstances of life. This was one of the reasons behind what the Hebrew writer said regarding the essential nature of the assembly. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” These Christians that the Hebrew writer was addressing were greatly discouraged, and one remedy for their discouragement was assembling with the saints. 

    Another Bible student said, “To be edified and to fellowship with the saints.” We are uplifted by the messages, devotionals, songs, Bible study, and prayers that are offered at the mid-week assembly. We need to be thankful that the leadership of the Lord’s church understood the need for congregating in the middle of the week. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 says, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.” Our love for the brethren should be abounding in nature. Thus, we are uplifted by spending time with fellow Christians.

    Someone said, “I have an opportunity to interact with my Christian family and with Christ.” It is a beautiful thought that one expressed regarding the church as a “family.” The Bible does reference the church as the family of God. Ephesians3:14-19 says, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” For a family to truly be a family, they must, at some point, spend time together. People typically love their family according to the flesh, and we should love the family of God equally if not more.

    Still, another said, “It is just what we do.” From this comment, I extrapolated that the person who made the statement meant that it is something we have habitually developed in our life. If one gets into the habit of coming to church, it is a hard habit to break. Instead of it feeling odd for one to be in the assembly, it should feel odd for one to be absent from the congregation of the saints. The Apostle Paul wanted to see the brethren, and it was his habit to be among them on his journeys.  He says, in Romans 1:11-12, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” Wanting to see the brethren again, is echoed time and again in Paul’s epistles. We need to have this same mindset. 

    One person said, “For encouragement.” We do not receive spiritual encouragement from worldly minded people. As we face the trials of life, we will need spiritual encouragement. Some problems are small, and some are rather large. Regardless of what we face, assembling with the people of God provides encouragement. 

    At one point, Paul sent Timothy to encourage brethren who were being troubled for their faith in Christ. Notice what is said in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 

    One unique response was “For safety and security.” We should feel safe and secure around the children of God. If the Bible says that we are to share our burdens and confess our faults, church must be a safe and secure entity. Hopefully, this is provided by every assembly of the Lord’s people. Galatians6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Similarly, the book of James says in James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” One must feel safe to be vulnerable in any relationship—personal or otherwise.

    Finally, an individual said, “To acknowledge God, which is our highest purpose.” When we are privileged to offer praise to God, it is an immeasurable blessing. Those absent from mid-week Bible study are missing out on a tremendous privilege to offer praise God and study His word. It is incredible to think that God, in all His holiness, would even desire our worship. The only way we are afforded the privilege of coming into His presence is through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

    If you are not in the assembly for mid-week Bible study, why not re-think this stance and seek to be with the saints? We would love to see you there!

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Facing Adversity

By: Johnny O. Trail

    When one reads the Bible, it becomes apparent that the faithful followers of God faced adversity. This difficulty was even reflected in their lives as they attempted to interact with their fellow believers. In some settings, their stance for God and faith in Him led to their contemporary’s seeking violence as a means of combating the truth. When reasoning with people regarding the truth fails, some people will result to violence. This is reflected in scripture.

    One example in the Old Testament is Caleb. When Caleb spied out the land, he was convinced that the Israelites could immediately conqueror the land and its inhabitants. Numbers14:6-10 says, “But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." His zeal for God and the promised land was met with fierce opposition. 

    Incredibly, those who heard Caleb’s optimistic view of possessing the land, wanted to kill him. Numbers 14:10  says, “And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.” Even though Caleb understood the power of God and Jehovah’s ability to help His people conqueror the land, the remainder of the Israelites disagreed and sought to take Caleb’s life. 

    David was another man who faced adversity. As David was attempting to avoid armed conflict with Saul, he traveled throughout the region of En Gedi with those who followed him. To protect the women and children from armed conflict, they were left at a place called Ziklag. When David and his men returned to the city, they found that it had be taken by force and the inhabitants taken hostage.

    In their anger and grief, David’s men believed that an appropriate course of action was to stone the anointed king of Israel. These events greatly distressed David. David’s own family was numbered among those who had been taken captive. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Even though David’s intent was to protect the helpless, his protective actions failed, and his best attempt at leading the people resulted in their desire to stone him to death. 

    When Stephen related the unfavorable history of the Israelites and God, they wanted to stone him. Stephen told those assembled before him the truth about their own history. For teaching the truth about Jesus, the people became angry and ultimately committed murder. Acts 7:54-60 says, “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” 

    Finally, those who listened to the message of the Messiah wanted to stone Him too. As Jesus engaged in His earthly ministry, there was an increasing amount of hostility toward Him and the truthful message he proclaimed. As things degenerated, there were some among the Jews who sought to murder the sinless Son of God. John 10:24-33 says, “Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’"

    If all of these great people of the Bible faced adversity—even from the supposed faithful—why should we expect anything different. As a matter of fact, Jesus makes it plain that there is a blessing that comes from being persecuted for attempting to do what is right in the eyes of God. Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” 

    The simple fact is all of God’s faithful people will face adversity. It is not “if” it will happen, but “when” will it happen. For these reasons, we need to be prepared to defend our decisions and defend our faith.  

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Preparation

By: Johnny O. Trail

    When the local news stations announced that we would have severe winter weather impacting our area we made a trip to Walmart and Sam’s Club on the Tuesday prior to the storm’s arrival. A few people were out making purchases, but there was no “mad rush” to the stores to buy milk and bread.

    In light of the impending storm, many people traveled to Walmart on the eve of the storm and found the shelves empty. Several of my Facebook friends in the surrounding areas posted pictures of shelves that were devoid of the last morsel of food. It was all gone!

    On Friday, we made another journey to Walmart to purchase any last minute items that we did not want to be without prior to being snowed into our home. We were pleased to find that our Walmart was relatively well stocked in regards to most items. As we went down the aisle where the water was located, there were five packages of water left. I grabbed one, walked to the end of the aisle, looked back, and all the water was taken.

    There is a real lesson we can learn from the storms that recently impacted our area. We prepare for material problems—snow storms, car insurance, house insurance, etc.—however, we do not prepare for spiritual issues. We are admonished by scripture to be prepared for various spiritual concerns. Sadly, not many people in our world are prepared for the spiritual calamites that might otherwise be averted. 

    For one thing, scripture admonishes us to be prepared for the second and final coming of Jesus. 2 Peter 3:9-13 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” We are promised that Jesus will return one day. This is more reliable and trustworthy than any weather forecast we have ever received, yet people scoff and ridicule this simple principle.

    Furthermore, even if the Lord does not return before the end of our sojourn upon this planet, we are warned about the brevity of life. Psalm 39:5 “Indeed, You have made my days ashandbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah” The brother of Jesus says in James 4:13-17, “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

    Moreover, we are urged to prepare ourselves by being saved. The preparation of the ark in Noah’s age is used to underscore the necessity and preparation of being saved at the point of baptism.  1 Peter 3:20-21 says, “Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Noah prepared 120 years (Genesis 6:3) for the flood that God purposed to deluge the entire earth, yet many will not prepare themselves in a much shorter amount of time by being baptized.

    In the parable of the ten virgins, the main problem of the five foolish virgins was a lack of preparation. It must have seemed odd to a culture that prepared for marriage and had wedding feasts for at least two weeks to hear a parable about women who were unprepared for the bridegroom. Jesus said, in Matthew 25:1-13,  "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five werefoolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. ‘And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. ‘Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' ‘Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.’”  The wise virgins were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom. If we would be wise, we should be prepared for the coming of Jesus too!   

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Snow—Beautiful to Look At

By: Johnny O. Trail

    Over the last two weeks, we have been inundated with snow. I might be odd in saying that “I enjoy a day or two of snow,” but three weeks is more than enough even for one who enjoys a good snow every once and a while. I believe this is the longest that I have ever seen snow remain on the ground during the entire time I have lived in Middle Tennessee.

    Nonetheless, The ice coupled with the snow around our home made for a beautiful spectacle to be observed in nature. We have a weeping willow tree in the back yard that was encased in ice. The morning and evening sunlight reflected off the branches and created prisms of light too beautiful to describe. One of our neighbors even took a picture of the tree and shared it on their Facebook feed.

    Snow has a cleansing effect upon everything that it touches. It can take the most horrid of objects and make them look pure and clean from the bright whiteness of newly fallen snow. It is no wonder that “white” is used to describe things as pure or holy in nature when one examines the Bible. 

    In order for snow to form, there must be a dirt particle at its core. The blood of Jesus removes every single speck of sin that besmirches the soul of man. In this respect, when we are washed in the blood of the Lamb, we are made whiter than snow. Isaiah has something interesting to say about snow and sin. In Isaiah 1:18 it says,  ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.’” 

    Our sins are the color of scarlet figuratively speaking, but we can have them cleansed to the whiteness of clean, newly shaven wool! This is a beautiful irony that one might ponder. The red blood of Jesus applied to our sins makes our souls whiter than wool and as white as snow. Jesus is described as the Lamb of God that takes away sins. John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The contrast between the colors red and scarlet versus the purity of white is unmistakable.  

    White is symbolic of purity and of those who have had their sins taken away. It is no wonder that Christians who walk in the light are described as having been cleansed from their sins. 1John 1:7 says, “But 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.”  As long as we walk in the light, we have the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood to remove sins.

    Many more passages could be referenced regarding white as a symbol of things that are heavenly or pure in nature. One passage in particular might be Revelation 7:13-17. It says, “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’" 

    Brother Marshal Keeble famously said that the blood of Jesus was the cleaning agent in the waters of baptism. He then made a parallel to the washing of clothes and the washing away of sins. Detergent is added to one’s washing machine to remove all the dirt from clothes. By the same token, the blood of Jesus is in the watery grave of baptism, and baptism is the means by which we contact the blood of Jesus. It is at that point that our robes are made “white in the blood of the Lamb.”

    Along these same lines of reasoning, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that sins are not washed away until one is baptized. Acts 22:16 relates the words of Ananias to Paul. He says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” In one passage, Ananias makes it clear that baptism is the means by which we are cleansed from sin and the manner in which we call upon the name of the Lord.

    The Apostle Peter makes it plain that baptism is not akin to taking a physical bath where the filth of the flesh is washed away, but the response of a good conscience to the gospel. 1Peter 3:21 says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Just as Noah and his family were saved from the destruction of the world-wide deluge we are saved by water bythe act of being baptized. 

    Snow is beautiful to look at thus it is befitting to parallel such a white and pure thing to the blood of Jesus that removes even the smallest speck of sin from the lives of those who avail themselves to being baptized. If we would be washed of our sins (Acts 22:16), so that our robes are “white in the blood of the Lamb,” we must be obedient to the commandments of the gospel (Hebrews 5:8-9).

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The Necessity of Baptism

By: Johnny O. Trail

    When I examine Bible commentaries, study Bibles, and other writings that seek to exegete scripture, I always turn to passages that mention baptism to see how the commentator treats the Bible regarding the topic. Unless these materials are written by good, faithful members of the Lord’s church, they typically deny the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins and our salvation. 

    Just recently I read a book that says, “While we recognize that Jesus commanded baptism (Matt. 28:19), as did the apostles (Acts 2:38), we should not say that baptism is necessary for salvation.” Sadly, this commentator is not alone in reaching this false conclusion. The statement is self-contradictory upon critical examination. Since Jesus (Mark 16:16) and the Apostles (Acts 2:38) commanded baptism, it is apparent that baptism is essential for one’s salvation.

    Jesus proclaimed that He was the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If the Master commanded baptism (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19) prior to His ascension, then we should obey His words. To do otherwise would be to disregard the “way” that leads to eternal life.

    If something was “commanded” by the Son of God, we need to obey Him.  It is contradictory to proclaim that Jesus is our Savior and not be obedient to His commands.  The Hebrew writer makes it plain that Jesus is the originator and architect of salvation to those who are obedient to Him.  Hebrews 5:7 says, “Who, in the days of His [Jesus—JOT] flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” There is not a single passage in scripture that teaches a disobedient person can be saved.

    At least one commentator has attempted to argue that Paul was opposed to baptism just as he was opposed to re-implementation of circumcision. “The apostle Paul would have opposed the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation just as he opposed the similar idea that circumcision was necessary for salvation (see Gal. 5:1-12).” While Paul did in fact stand in opposition to binding circumcision upon those under the New Covenant, it is not a true parallel to his position on baptism. This argument it totally without merit.

    The same Paul makes a connection between faith and baptismin the aforementioned Galatian letter.  Galatians 3:26-27 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” We become “sons of God” through faith at the time of our baptism. Therefore, we are not saved by faith alone.

    As a matter of fact, Paul’s opening comments deal with those who would pervert the pure message that he proclaimed to those who converted in Galatia regarding the gospel.  Galatians 1:6-9 says, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” The gospel is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (I Corinthians 15:1-4). We obey the gospel when were are baptized (Romans 6:3-4), thus one who argues that Paul was against baptism finds himself among those that Paul proclaimed were “accursed” for perverting the truth. 

    Paul was himself baptized to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16). If Paul was saved at the point of simple belief, he would have been saved on the Damascus road. There is little doubt that he became a believer at the point of Jesus approaching him in a blinding light (Acts 9:3-5). Paul understood that he was not saved at that juncture, and he understood that he needed to “do” something given his murderous, blasphemous past.  Acts9:6 says, “So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

    Ananias told Paul what he had to do to be saved. Acts22:16 says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'” If Paul was saved at the point of belief and prayer, his sins would not have remained.  Instead, the Bible teaches that his sins were “washed away” at the point of baptism—not at the point of faith or prayer.

    Similarly, Paul was not saved by belief alone (Acts 9:3-5) nor prayer. When Ananias finds him, Paul was praying. Acts 9:11says, “So the Lord said to him [Ananias—JOT], "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.”  Here we have the two required elements of the so-called “sinners’ prayer,” belief and prayer.  Still, we know that Paul’s sins were not forgiven. How do we know this?  Given the order of events (chronology), we know that Paul had his sins washed away at the point of baptism (Acts 22:16).

    The same writer engages in ridiculous double talk when he says, “Baptism, then, is not necessary for salvation. But it is necessary if we are to be obedient to Christ, for he commanded baptism for all who believe in him.” If baptism is necessary for obedience, and we have established per Hebrews 5:7-9 that the obedient are the only ones who are saved, then is stands to reason that obedience to the commandment to be baptized by the Master (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16) is “necessary” for salvation.

    How long will our religious neighbors continue to deny what they Bible clearly teaches regarding the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? We need to examine the Bible and apply what it teaches rather than listening to the doctrines of men.