Articles

By: Johnny O. Trail

 

    Immorality was a problem even in the infancy of the church.  By subterfuge, Ananias and Sapphira tried to convince the apostles that they had given all their profits from the sale of the property to the church. Acts 5.1-6 “A man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a piece of property, and brought a part of the proceeds, laying it at the feet of the apostles.  However, he, with his wife’s knowledge had kept back part of the money.  Peter spoke, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping back part of the sale price of the property?  Before you sold it, was it not yours?  After you sold it, was it not at your disposal?  Why have you contrived this scheme in your heart?  You have not lied to men, but to God.  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died.  Great fear came on all who heard about it.  Young men arose, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.”  (FHV)

    In doing so, they had lied to the third part of the Godhead himself!  Clearly, God will not tolerate lying or any other form of immorality from his people. Revelation 21:8 says,  “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  

    In an age when there was a direct interaction with the Holy Spirit, retribution for immorality was swift and severe.  God’s holiness demands our righteousness.  In His presence we, like the prophet Isaiah, need to realize our low estate and how sinfulness separates us from Him (Isaiah 6.5).

    Several things seem to be at work in the decision of Ananias and Sapphira to deceive the Holy Spirit.  Initially, they were motivated by the praise that others had received for doing the same thing. A few verses earlier, Barnabas was mentioned for selling his property and giving it to the church.  It is very dangerous for a Christian to desire the praise of men rather than the praise of God (John 12.42-43) in performing services that should be aimed at glorifying God.

    Next, they were driven by greed.  Giving all the proceeds from the sale seemed too burdensome for them.  Indeed, the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6.10).  They were not forced to give up their money or lie about the circumstances of the sale. Presumably, they could have retained a portion of the money from the sell and been honest about the situation.

    As we consider the nature of their sin, Satan is identified as the one who inspired Ananias and Sapphira to lie (cf. John 8.44).  Satan is a real being who exerts his influence to bring about the destruction of the human soul.  As the Holy Spirit seems to influence people in this age, it seems that Satan had the ability to inspire people as well. Even though it was Satan who “inspired” the lie, it was ultimately the responsibility of Ananias to do the right thing.  Ananias was held accountable for his mistake in these passages.

​As soon as Ananias died, he was carried out and buried.  This was an expression of divine will and not by some action of Peter.  The climate of Jerusalem and surrounding areas necessitated a quick burial. Some have also speculated that the Jews would have objected to having a dead body around due to fears of defilement from encountering it.  At any rate, his body was removed and buried somewhere in the space of about three hours.

    Sapphira most likely expected a different response than the one she received. Acts 5:7 says, “After about three hours, Sapphira walked in, not knowing what had happened.”  Instead of a sense of excitement from the donation that she and her husband contributed to the congregation, she is examined by Peter regarding the events of the day.

    Peter may have asked her about the cost of the land and the contribution to give her an opportunity to share the truth and change her fate. Acts 5:8 says, “Peter asked her, “Tell me, was the money you gave the full price of the land?’    

    Peter knew what the truth was in this situation—a husband and wife conspired against God to present a falsehood.  Now, she was given a chance to be honest.  A corresponding analogy might be much like a parent who knows the truth about a child’s transgression but gives the child an opportunity to confess the wrong before punishment is determined.

    When Peter cross examined her, she repeated the same lie that had just caused her husband to lose his life.  It is wondered if they had “rehearsed” their responses prior to their arrivals to donate their money to the church.  The text does say that they “agreed together” to lie to the Spirit.

    For their lies, Ananias and Sapphira both fell dead. This underscores the way God views a lie. It is little wonder why such a harsh punishment is meted out when one realizes that one of the major reasons why Jesus was convicted of a crime was because of two men who were willing to swear to an untruth.  Mark 14:55-59 says, “Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, ‘We heard Him say, “I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.” But not even then did their testimony agree.”   

​There are those who would be critical of God in this first case of church discipline.  There could have been more involved than what is revealed in the text.  Even so, God ultimately does what is correct (Genesis 18.25).  Who are we to be critical of the God who will judge of all humanity? We need to be a people of high character and honesty in all our dealings.

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Say “Yes” Like the Crow

By:  Johnny O. Trail

    Several years ago, I started working with the congregation I currently preach for on a regular basis. After I started, I noticed that the auditorium had windows that reached the edge of the ceiling rafters. These windows are an excellent source of sunlight and a place for various birds to perch on the outside of them.

    One Sunday, I noticed that several young people were laughing during my sermons. I sometimes tell a joke during a sermon, but this is not done often as I proclaim the word. Still, almost every Sunday I noticed that these kids would laugh during my sermons. They were not being disruptive, but I could tell something was really tickling the funny bone. 

    In our congregation, the young people tend to sit on the front row together. At the time, one of my sons sat with them, and he was among those laughing during my sermons. As my curiosity overwhelmed me, I asked him about the laughing that had been going on for a few weeks. Come to find out, there was a crow that managed to perch on the outside of the elevated windows every time I preached. When I would make a point in the sermon, the crow would bob its head up and down as if it was saying “yes” to the pertinent points of the presentation. 

    This got me to thinking about the fact that more people need to be saying “yes” to the truthful messages that are proclaimed as they represent God’s word. Instead of saying “yes” to various biblical truths many people are saying “no” by their actions and words.

    We need to say “yes” to what the Bible teaches regarding baptism. It is amazing to see all the arguments that people make against being baptized. It seems that it would be much easier to comply with the Bible’s teaching on the matter, but many in the religious world continue to deny the necessity of baptism for salvation. Instead of being in a state of ignorant denial, people need to follow the simple teachings of scripture on the matter. Baptism forgives sin (Acts 2:38). Baptism washes sin away (Acts 22:16). Baptism saves the one who complies with God’s will (I Peter 3:21). Baptism places one into Christ (Galatians 3:25-26). Baptism was commanded by Jesus (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19). We need to say “yes” to the Bible’s commands when they teach baptism for the purposes mentioned. 

    We need to say “yes” to engaging in personal or congregational evangelism. So many members of the Lord’s church believe evangelism is up to the preachers or elders of a given congregation. We are all part of a universal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), and we are expected to fulfill the great commission which was given just before the ascension of Christ. Mark16:15-16 says, “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” 

    We need to say “yes” to regularly assembling with the church for Bible study and worship. A Christians gets a portion of his encouragement from the Saints that assemble on a regular basis. This means the more one can be with his brethren the greater his encouragement for continued faithfulness. The scope of Hebrews 10:25, in my estimation, is greater than the assembly on Sunday. Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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.” The church of the first century seems to have met daily (Acts 2:46).

    We need to say “yes” when we are asked to help with Bible classes and other works within the church. Sometimes this is an anxiety producing request. However, it can be one of the best learning experiences for one approached about teaching in the Bible class program. Since we are tasked with equipping the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12), qualified men (James 3:1)should be trained and willing to step up to this opportunity. It is not only an opportunity to help students grow (I Peter 2:2) but to help those teaching also. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” 

    We need to say “yes” when we have opportunity to serve others. Since Jesus was a servant to humankind, we should seek to do “good” to all men; especially to those who are Christians. Galatians 6:9-10 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” The one who attempts to help others always gets more out of serving other people than they ever expected.

    We need to say “yes” to continued faithfulness (Revelation 2:10). Since Satan is attempting to ensnare Christians and cause them to be lost, we must be continually watchful and maintain our faithfulness towards God. Ephesians 6:10-13 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

    When God tells us to do something we need to say “yes” like the crow. Obedience to God is expected of those who would be His disciples. Hebrews 5:8-9 says, “Though He was a Son, yetHe learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” 
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Four Indicators of a Strong Marriage

By: Johnny O. Trail

    A recent study revealed the top four indicators of a strong marriage. While this study was conducted in a secular manner, the results underscore some biblical principles and demonstrate that God’s word provides the means of having a happy successful marriage. What are these indicators and what is reflected in scripture about these principles?

    These four indicators are “having the highest level of marital commitment, feeling that one’s spouse is ‘protective,’ regularly attending religious worship services with one’s spouse, and having regular date nights. We performed these analyses separately for wives and husbands. Interestingly, the findings were similar for both men and women.” 

  Along these lines, several factors were important for ensuring that marriages do not end in divorce. According to the study they are, “The strongest predictors of feeling that one’s marriage is “highly unlikely” to end in divorce were the same predictors of being “very happy” in marriage. That is, having the highest level of commitment to one’s marriage, feeling that one’s spouse is “protective,” and regularly attending religious worship services were all strongly associated with lower proneness to divorce. Having regular date nights also reduced wives’ reports of divorce proneness, but this was not the case for husbands.”

    First, to have a prosperous marriage one must be completely committed to your marriage. The study found, “that wives who completely agreed that their relationship with their husband was one of the most important things in their lives were 399% more likely to be very happy in their marriage than wives who did not report the same amount of commitment to their relationship…For husbands, completely agreeing that their marriage was one of the most important parts of their lives was linked to a 234% increase in the odds of being very happy in their marriage relative to other less committed husbands.” 

    This principle is reflected in scripture too. God wants marriage to be life long in duration and to be taken seriously by people who enter the covenant of marriage. God is the one who does the “joining” in marriage, and He wants human beings to stop destroying what He has built. Matthew 19:6 says, “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 

    Some elements of a enduring marriage included a desire for a future together, a sense of teamwork, a sense of significance for the marriage, a sense of bliss for living sacrificial with one another. To sum up, “Simply put, couples do best when they have a clear sense of couple identity and a long-term view.”

    Living sacrificially for one’s mate is an important principle of our Christianity. Just as Jesus served the church, we must seek to serve and care for our mates. This principle is demonstrated in several passages. Ephesians 5:28-29 says, “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.” 

    In talking about the ministry and service of Christ, Paul demonstrates the type of service that we should provide to our spouses and families. Philippians 2:3-8 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” 

    Moreover, strong marriages demonstrate a desire to be protective of one’s spouse. This factor is true of husbands and wives. “[W] wives who felt that it was ‘definitely true’ that their husbands are protective were 137% more likely to be very happy in their marriage than their peers who rated their husbands as less protective. Wives with protective husbands were also 134% more likely to report that they have a highly stable marriage than other wives. Similarly, husbands who reported that they have highly protective wives were 61% more likely to be very happily married and 98% more likely to be in a highly stable marriage than other husbands with less protective spouses.”

    What does it mean for one to be “protective” of one’s spouse? This concept includes factors such as husband’s making their wives feel physically safe, making wives feel safer in the home and in public settings, husbands taking the outside of a sidewalk in a defensive position, and husband making sure that the home is safe and secure when nightfall occurs. Wives appreciated physical protectiveness as an indicator of a husband’s willingness to invest in them.’” Again, this idea meshes perfectly with scripture regarding security needed in the home. Notice Ephesians 5:25 which says, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Living sacrificially for our mates means providing the security they need from a physical and psychological perspective.  

    Conversely, Husbands indicate that they are happier when their wives are protective too. This protectiveness is expressed by the wife “being loyal and faithful.” Researchers say, “Protective spouses safeguard their relationships by looking out for the social welfare of their partners in professional, social, and family settings, and by not talking negatively about their spouse to others outside of the relationship. For instance, verbally defending your spouse from a negative comment at a family gathering or making sure they feel comfortable at a neighborhood social gathering are markers of loyalty that are likely perceived as ‘protective’ by both husbands and wives.”

    This might be reminiscent of the virtuous woman who is described in Proverbs 31:10-12 says, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”

    Next, a couples’ attendance to regular worship assemblies is a hallmark of a strong marriage. This is something that Christians have known for centuries. Putting God at the center of one’s marriage by regularly worshipping Him, helps couples maintain their focus on the primacy of marriage and God’s place within their family. 

    Finally, there needs to be a continued dating relationship in the marital union. This psychometric was much higher in women than in men. Married couples need to continue to date and have fun throughout their marriage—even if it is primarily a need that the wife has. While the context of Revelation 2:4 is aimed at the church at Ephesus, it has implications for maintaining a happy marriage. The passage says, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”   

    Moreover, notice the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah. Genesis 26:8 says, “And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting (laughing—NKJV) with Rebekah his wife (KJV).” Evidently, Isaac and Rebekah had a fun, romantic, and loving relationship. One would do well to emulate their example. 

    Christians would do well to remember these principles and implement them into their marriages. God wants us to have strong marriages and strong Christian homes. The Bible points the way to marital success and happiness.  

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Someone is Watching

By:  Johnny O. Trail

    The more I read about electronics in our homes, cars, and offices, the more I am convinced that our every move is being monitored. The NSA knows about every webpage you visit and all your activities online. We are in an age where there is no such thing as real privacy. Just recently, an IT guru shared the following information about ink jet printers.  The writer averred, 

Here’s something you don’t know. First, go grab something you printed in color. Now shine a blue        LED light on it. See those tiny yellow dots in a grid pattern across the entire page? Those are Machine Identification Codes. Fancy words for, “We’re tracking you.” Your printer put those dots there without asking. Every color laser printer from Xerox, Canon, HP, Brother and Epson does this. Every single page. Every single time. The dots are roughly one-tenth of a millimeter wide, printed in yellow on white paper so you’ll never notice them. They encode your printer’s serial number, the exact date and the exact time you hit “Print.” The pattern repeats about 150 times across a single sheet, so even a torn scrap of paper carries enough data to trace it back to your machine…Every color page you’ve ever printed has your printer’s fingerprint on it. Medical documents. Financial records. That anonymous letter to your HOA.    While this level of tracking is astounding, a more alarming realization for one to arrive at is the fact that we serve an omnipotent God who is more aware of what we are doing than the best piece of electronic surveillance in existence. God knows all about us! On one hand, that is comforting, but on another it can be disturbing.     Even so, there are many people in our world who live as if their lives are not apparent to the God who created all things and knows all things. Those who live after such a manner should be frightened.  Psalm 139:1-8 says, “…O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!”    Some people reason that hiding in darkness can keep God from discerning the truth about matters they want to hide. They reason that human beings can be fooled about their activities, so God can be fooled too! The Bible dispels that notion. Psalm 139:11-12 says, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”    As human beings we speculate about the future. In reality, no person knows the future, but we become anxious regarding things that are coming in the future. We have no control of this and no fortune teller can really predict the future. God knows the end and the beginning of a thing before we have even thought of it! Isaiah 46:9-10 says, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’”     God knows things that are impossible for humankind to know. Space explorers and astronomers can only speculate about then number of stars, planets, and galaxies exist in our universe.  All people, even unbelievers, stand in awe of the universe and its span. It is amazing to know that God already knows this number.  Psalm 147:4 says, “He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”    Even at our best, we have incomplete knowledge of some of the complexities of our universe. We can assemble the most brilliant minds to arrive at provable conclusions and still only speculate about things that are simple and complex.  God arrives at conclusions that are complete, correct, and valid.  Job 37:16b says, “…The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge.”        God’s wisdom and knowledge is far beyond or own, yet there are people who think they know more than God does. When people attempt to speculate about things like creation, and leave God out of the equation, they arrive at wrong conclusions. Romans 11:33-34 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’” It is arrogant to assume that we know or understand more than God does.     God’s eyes are everywhere, and He watches those who are good and evil too. Proverbs 15:3says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” This is a source of comfort to God’s people and a fearful thing to the sinner who comes into God’s judgment and wrath. Christians want God’s presence especially in times of distress and need. We have that guarantee and spiritual blessing—a blessing that those outside of Christ do not have (Ephesians 1:3).       God’s word is the standard of judgment, and when that is coupled with Jehovah, who know all, the standard and Judge of all humankind is infallible.  Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” No person can object to God’s sovereign judgment for he knows all and judges righteously.      Given all of these things, it would be better for humankind to trust in the One who knows the future, knows all things, sees in the darkness, and loves His creation? John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Great and wondrous is the God who knows all about us and still loved us to the extent that He was willing to allow His Son to die for such a one as me and you! 

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Be Watchful

By: Johnny O. Trail

    There are many things in life that require one to be watchful. Watching for events to unfold or to be careful of hazardous situations is what many people in our government and military do to insure the welfare of our nation. 

    As a matter of fact, those who fall asleep on watch are in serious trouble with people in charge of defending and protecting our nation. In the military, this is a court martial offense. Leaders and military personnel understand that one person who fails on their watch can cause much destruction and death because of their failure. To that end, we have satellites, radar, and other listening devices available to help in watching those who might have nefarious intentions against our country. 

 It is hard to be “watchful” when you do not have the appropriate equipment to be on the watch with. The Bible provides the reader with a blueprint of how Satan operates. We have the playbook of the enemy in our hands. For this reason, we can be watchful during our sojourn here on earth. As Paul closes out I Corinthians, he encourages the brethren to be vigilant. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” We would do well to heed his advice.

    We are told to be watchful regarding the wiles of Satan. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” We learn from this passage and others that the appetite of Satan for the souls of humankind is insatiable. He is always looking for his next meal.

    This being the case, Peter says we are to “resist him.” This simple suggestion can accomplish much in our spiritual warfare. James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This is exactly what Jesus did regarding His temptation in the wilderness and the devil left Him. Matthew 4:11 says, “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

    Furthermore, we need to be watchful regarding the second coming of Jesus. Mark 13:32-33 says,  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Since no person truly knows the hour of Jesus second and final coming, the only alternative is to be constantly vigilant. This means that we must live lives faithfully dedicated to Him (Revelation 2:10).

    The church at Sardis was encouraged to be “watchful” over the things which they had received.  Notice John’s quoting of Jesus in Revelation 3:1-3 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” Thus, part of being watchful means that we hold fast to the truth in proclamation and in God’s word.  

    As Christians, we are to be “watchful” over the words that come out of our mouth.  Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”We are warned in many places to be careful about what we say to others. It is a wise person who asks god to guard or “keep watch” over our lips. The Epistle of James contains similar wording.  James 3:5-8 says, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

    Christians are also encouraged to be on the watch for people who would teach false doctrine to the saints. Paul warned the church against this very things. Acts 20:29-31 says, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

    Being watchful as we travel life’s pathway is the expectation of all who would live a life faithfully dedicated to God. Just as one serving in the military is prohibited from falling asleep on his watch, we must be constantly vigilant regarding things that have spiritual importance. We should never fail in our watch when it involves our soul’s salvation.     
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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.