Why should I be baptized?

A Lesson on Baptism

sIX “rIGHTS” OF bAPTISM

INTRODUCTION:

A.              Texts:  multi-text

B.              How old are you?

1.               Obviously, it depends on when you were born.  I’m not talking about your physical birthday.

2.               How old are you spiritually?  The answer depends on when you experienced the new birth, when you were born into the family of God through baptism.  (Relate personal baptism at age 11 -- August of 1978).

C.             One unique characteristic concerning churches of Christ is the emphasis that is put on baptism.

1.               Example:  A particular preacher preached on baptism all of the time.  He was asked by elders to preach on other subjects.  He asked, “Well what do you want me to preach on?”  The elders suggested that he begin in Genesis and preach the whole counsel of God.  The next Sunday morning the preacher got up to preach and began his sermon with these words:  "‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters’ which brings me to the subject of baptism.”

2.               Baptism IS a Bible subject.  “In the 269 chapters of the New Testament, ‘baptism,’ appears more than 100 times” (Meador 127).

3.               Yet, many questions surround this practice:

a.               Is it necessary for salvation?

b.               Does baptism include sprinkling and/or immersion?

c.               What about infant baptism?

d.               What about re-baptism?

D.             Concerning baptism as the Bible presents it, let us observe SIX RIGHTS OF BAPTISM...

I.                 THE RIGHT AUTHORITY:  CHRIST.

A.              "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen" (Mat 28:18-20 NKJV).

1.               “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” – Jesus is the “Commander-in-Chief,” whatever He says, goes!  He is the Authority!  He is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

2.               “God therefore and make disciples [students, learners], baptizing them.”  First, there must be a study of the Word of God (reading, preaching/teaching, etc.).  The proper response to the teaching of God’s word includes baptism.

3.               We call this “The Great Commission.”

B.              The right authority is Christ, NOT…

1.               Feelings.

2.               Preconceived ideas.

3.               Traditions of men.

4.               The teaching of a particular teacher.

C.             “Our Lord began His personal ministry by being baptized (Matt. 13:13-17), and ended His earthly stay by giving the Great Commission in which He commanded baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16)” (Winkler “Bible” 112).

II.               THE RIGHT SUBJECT:  PENITENT BELIEVER.

A.              The Philippians jailor (Acts 16:31-34).

1.               Review context:  Paul & Silas beaten & imprisoned – singing and praying at midnight – earthquake – jailor stopped before committing suicide (vs. 20-29).

2.               Read and discuss vs. 30-34.

B.              Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2).

1.               Topic of apostles’ sermon:  Jesus!  (vs. 22-36).

2.               Read and discuss 2:37-38.  Note:  they already believed in Christ!

III.            THE RIGHT ELEMENT:  WATER.

A.              NOT (see Winkler “Bible” 112).

1.               It could not be the baptism of suffering, since this baptism was fulfilled in our Lord’s suffering and death and the subsequent persecution of His disciples (Matthew 20:20-23).

2.               It could not be the baptism of fire, since this is yet to come (Matthew 3:11-12; Rev. 20:15; 19:20).

3.               It could not be the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for only Christ could administer such: ""I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Mat 3:11 NKJV).

B.              Water baptism is the one baptism that is in effect today.

1.               Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39; see especially vs. 35-39).

2.               The Apostle Peter: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 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 [like figure] 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”  (1 Pet 3:18-21 NKJV).

3.               The household of Cornelius (Acts 10:1ff, esp. vs. 44-48).

C.             This is NOT to say that we believe in water salvation!

1.               It is only through the blood of Christ that our sins may be washed away!

a.               ""For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."  (Mat 26:28 NKJV)

b.               "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom 5:9 NKJV).

c.               "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb 9:14 NKJV).

d.               "Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate" (Heb 13:12 NKJV).

e.               “…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" (1 Pet 1:18-19 NKJV)/

f.                 "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  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" (1 John 1:6-7 NKJV)

g.               "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,"    (Rev 1:5 NKJV)

2.               However, God has declared that the blood of Christ washes our sins away WHEN we are baptized in His name.

a.               Compare Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14) and Elisha’s instructions.  The power was not in the waters of the Jordan River; the power was in God.  The power of God was activated when Naaman obeyed the prophet’s instructions.

b.               In baptism, the power is not in the water; the power is in God.  That power is activated when one’s faith in God leads one to obey the Lord’s instructions concerning what one must do to be forgiven of his sins.

D.             An objection is often raised:  “From what you teach about baptism, you’re trying to be saved by works.”

1.               “In fact, when my religious friends argue that baptism is a work I now say ‘Yes, baptism is definitely a work ... but not my work.’  Faith is my work.  Coming to God is my work.  But the real accomplishment is not my performance but His.  And, interestingly enough, this is precisely how Paul put it” (Meador 136):

“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:11-13).

“Every mention of my part in baptism is passive.  It is done to me, not by me.  And God is clearly the major player, the surgeon performing spiritual surgery ... bringing life and forgiveness” (Meador 136).

2.               “My baptism was Jesus-driven and Christ-focused.  Neither a sectarian ritual nor a High-Church sacrament, baptism was not designed to achieve personal merit before God.  Only Jesus ‘earned’ anything before God.  He alone achieved merit on the cross.  This is why my baptism was Jesus-driven ... My personal faith in Jesus Christ brought me to my baptism.  Christ achieved my salvation on the cross and I simply accepted what He offered me.  As I obeyed Christ in my baptism, I learned the crucial lesson that everyone must learn about salvation -- salvation does not result from what I do, but from what Christ did on the cross for me.  My baptism showed me that while I can’t ear salvation, I can receive God’s precious grace.  In fact, my baptism took me back to the cross of Jesus.  That’s where the story of my salvation really started!” (Meador 137).

IV.           THE RIGHT PURPOSE:  REMISSION OF SINS/ SALVATION.

A.              "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 NKJV).

B.              “"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days."    (Acts 10:48 NKJV)

C.             Ananias to Saul:  "'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord'" (Acts 22:16 NKJV).

D.             "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection" (Rom 6:3-5 NKJV).

E.              "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."    (1 Cor 12:13 NKJV)

F.              "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" (Gal 3:26-27 NKJV).

V.              THE RIGHT ACTION:  IMMERSION.

A.              Immersion, as indicated by the meaning of the word “baptism.”

1.               “Baptism” is a transliterated word, not a translated word. A translated word is a word out of another language (Greek) given an English spelling and pronunciation” (Winkler “Water” 112).  The Greek word baptizo was transliterated to our word, “baptize.”

2.               A translation (definition) of the word would be:  “to dip, plunge, or immerse” (Winkler “Water” 112).

B.              Immersion, as indicated by baptism being described as a burial.

1.               "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4 NKJV).

a.               The Gospel:  death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NKJV).

b.               It is the Gospel that saves: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Rom 1:16 NKJV).

c.               The Gospel saves when one obeys the form of the doctrine (gospel): "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness" (Rom 6:17-18 NKJV).

d.               “Baptism beautifully portrays the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord (Rom. 6:1-4)” (Winkler “Bible” 112).

2.               Paul wrote to the Christians in Colosse saying, “[You have been] "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Col 2:12 NKJV).

VI.           THE RIGHT TIME:  NOW.

A.              Consider the Ethiopian Eunuch (See Acts 8:35-39).

B.              Consider the Philippian Jailor (see Acts 16:31-34).

C.             Consider Felix the Governor (see Acts 24:24-25).

D.             Consider Agrippa (see Acts 26:26-29). “Almost Persuaded.”

CONCLUSION:

A.              Consider the joy of a new birth.  “And the eunuch went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).  Have you experienced the new birth?

B.              A surprising discovery:  “the most profound statements on baptism are really addressed to those of us who have already been baptized.  I had earlier thought that most of the Bible teaching on ‘baptism’ surely was directed to those who had never been baptized.  But apparently God wants us to continue to look back at this defining moment in our spiritual journey.  He wants us to savor it, to appreciate it, to understand it, and to be strengthened by it ... It’s truly life’s defining moment” (Meador 127-128).

C.             Baptism is a new beginning – a glorious beginning.  Yet, it is a beginning, not an end.  Have you been faithful to the Lord?

 

SOURCES:

Meador, Prentice A., Jr.  “The Mystery of Baptism -- A Personal Odyssey.”  Directions for the Road Ahead:  Stability in Change Among Churches of Christ.”  Jim Sheerer and Charles L. Williams, editors.  Chickasha, OK: Yeomen Press, 1998.  126-142.

Moorer, Rex.  “Six Rights of Baptism.”  Notes taken in the form of a skeleton outline by David A. Sargent during a Gospel Meeting at the Flatwoods church of Christ outside of Fort Deposit, AL, on 8/10/95.  See Baptism file.

Winkler, Wendell.  “Bible Baptism.”  Things That Accompany Salvation.  Sound Doctrine for Everyday Living Series.  Montgomery, AL: Winkler Publications, 1972.  112-121.

 

David A. Sargent, preaching minister
Mobile, Alabama

 

 

George Mueller built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England

You Matter

George Mueller (1805-1898) built many orphanages at Ashley Down, England.
Without a personal salary, he relied only on God to supply the money and
food needed to support the hundreds of homeless children for whom he cared
in the name of Christ. A man of radiant faith, Mueller kept a motto on his
desk for many years that brought comfort, strength, and uplifting confidence
to his heart. It read, "It matters to Him about you." Mueller believed
that those words captured the meaning of 1 Peter 5:7, and he rested his
claim for divine help on that truth.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Mueller testified at the end of his life that the Lord had never failed to
supply all his needs. *

Audrey Mieir has expressed the truth of 1 Peter 5:7 and Mueller's motto with
these words:

Be not troubled with thoughts of the morrow, Of duties you surely must do.
On the Lord cast your burden of sorrow;
It matters to Him about you!

Be not weary when trials are given,
But trust Him to carry you through.
He will make all a pathway to heaven;
It matters to Him about you!

Then be patient until His appearing,
'Tis dawn almost now on your view;
For the mists of this dark age are clearing.
In love He is planning for you! *

Take this truth to heart: "It matters to Him about you."

How can we know that?

Because when we were weighted down with a burden that was too great for us
to bear - the burden of our sins - God gave His one and only Son to die on
the cross for our sins (John 3:16). "He Himself bore our sins in His body
on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His
wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).

God will lift the burden of sin and give eternal life to those who place
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and
are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light
of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

And, God will help His children with other burdens that may arise in this
life. Why? Because He cares. "It matters to Him about you." You matter
to God.

"Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22 NKJV).

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from illustrations on 1 Peter 5:7 from www.bible.org.

Bill Buckner Los Angeles Dodgers

A Name to Remember

Bill Buckner was one of the better players ever to play the game of
professional baseball. In a 22-year career that began with the Los Angeles
Dodgers, Buckner collected over 2,700 hits (including 498 doubles), had a
career batting average of .289 (batting over .300 in seven seasons with
three seasons of 100 RBIs), and won a National League batting title. Yet he
will always be remembered for one terrible moment in the 1986 World Series.

At that time Buckner was playing for the Boston Red Sox, a team then
notorious for its failure to win the World Series. In the '86 series
against the heavily-favored Mets, the Sox took a 3-2 game lead. The sixth
game went into extra innings. With two outs and no one on base, New York
battled back with three straight singles and tied the game with a wild pitch
by Bob Stanley. Mookie Wilson came to the plate for the Mets with Ray
Knight on second base. On a 3-2 pitch, Wilson hit an easy little grounder
up the first base line towards Bill Buckner. Scoop up the ball, step on
first, and the inning would be over. But Buckner didn't get his glove low
enough. The ball rolled between his legs into right field, allowing Knight
to score. So the Mets tied the series 3-3. The Mets went on the win the
seventh game to become the '86 World Series champions.

From that fateful moment on, the name "Bill Buckner" has been forever tied
to his "slow roller between the legs" error that lost a crucial game for the
Sox. Since that time, the phrase "pulling a Bill Buckner" has been used as
a synonym for making a really bad, obvious mistake. It is sad that a person
can become identified with one mistake even though there is much more to the
story.

Thank God that we don't have to be defined by our mistakes! The truth is
that each and every one of us has "pulled a Bill Buckner" in that "all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Our sins cause us
to be lost, losing much more than a World Series (Matthew 7:13-14).

But God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our
sins (John 3:16). Through Jesus, we can be forgiven of our sins and receive
the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). "In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"
(Ephesians 1:7).

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith
and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

For all who have "pulled a Bill Buckner" - and that includes ALL of us - the
name to remember and to embrace is Jesus. For in Jesus, we can be
identified by His forgiveness rather than by our failures (see 1 Timothy
1:12-17).

-- David A. Sargent

* Stats about Bill Buckner were gleaned from Wikipedia.com

From Despair to Delight

From Despair to Delight

On February 27, 1991, Ruth Dillow received the worst news of her life. Two
U.S. Army officers came to her home to notify her that her son, Pfc. Clayton
Carpenter, age 20, had died after stepping on a land mine in the Middle
East. He had stepped on the mine just two hours before the Gulf War
hostilities ended. Dillow was devastated.

Imagine her shock when her phone rang two days later and a young man
identified himself as her son. "It was such a shock; I was afraid somebody
was playing with my mind," she later reported. "I asked him questions only
he would know the answers to." He answered them all correctly. Dillow knew
that the young man was her son. Clayton was alive!

Dillow said that her son had called from a battlefield hospital. He was
wounded, but he was very much alive! He told his mother that he did not
know why she had been told that he had died.

The U.S. Army admitted its mistake. In a prepared statement, officials said
that Carpenter ″was mistakenly reported as killed in action on Feb.
27. In fact, Private Carpenter was lightly wounded when a bomblet
exploded... The U.S. Army regrets the error."

From receiving the worst possible news to hearing the best, Dillow's
emotions had gone from deep mourning to extreme joy. She was overjoyed.

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for our sins (1
Peter 2:24). Witnesses, both family and foe alike, observed his death by
crucifixion. Roman soldiers went to the three crosses on Golgotha that day
to make sure that the victims had died. If they had not died, they would
break their legs hastening their deaths. "But when they came to Jesus and
saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the
soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came
out" (John 19:33-34).

Jesus was buried in a tomb. His family and His disciples mourned greatly.

On the third day, early one Sunday morning, some women came to the tomb of
Jesus to anoint His body for burial. When they arrived at His tomb, the
stone blocking the entrance had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.
Angelic messengers proclaimed the Good News: "He is not here; for He is
risen" (Matthew 28:6). Jesus had been raised from the dead! What wonderful
news for His family, His disciples, and for you and me.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is wonderful news for you and
me because it means that the claims that Jesus made are validated. It means
that the payment for the sins of the world was accepted by God. It means
that we have hope beyond the grave. His resurrection guarantees us of our
own (1 Corinthians 15:20).

The core of the Gospel (the Good News) is that "Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again
the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His
death, burial, and resurrection accomplished our salvation. Now, we must
accept His offer on His terms.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans
6:3-4). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms? You can go from the despair of sin
to the delight of salvation and eternal life.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Soldier Reported Killed in Action Phones Home;
Army Regrets Error" by the Associated Press, published March 2, 1991,
www.apnews.com.

How do I become a Christian?

Learn how to become a Christian in this special PDF study.

Doug White safely lands King Air plane

Learn about Doug White, a Christian who safely landed a King Air plane he did not know how to fly.  A 15-minute video of this amazing story is here - https://bit.ly/31uDVQl - and a presentation by Doug about this amazing story is here:  https://bit.ly/2QOHNJV

 

Karl Stegall

A Member of the Family

Karl Stegall tells of two brothers who entered the first grade. One said he
was born January 1, 1984. The other said he was born April 4, 1984.

"That is impossible [that you are brothers]," said the teacher.

"No," replied the first brother, "one of us is adopted."

"Which one?" asked the teacher.

"I don't know," he replied. "One day I asked my Dad [that question] and he
kissed us both and said, 'I forgot.'" *

The relationship of these two brothers to their father and to one another
illustrates two descriptions of how one may be brought into the family of
God.

Some Scriptures speak of being born into God's Family. Jesus told
Nicodemus: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be
born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and
be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born
of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:3-5).
This is a reference to baptism (immersion) in water when a penitent believer
in Christ receives the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
(Acts 2:38; 22:16). Upon his or her baptism, the penitent believer is added
to the family of God, the church (Acts 2:41, 47; Galatians 3:26-29).

Other Scriptures speak of the redemptive process as being adopted into the
family of God (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:5). The idea is
that because of our sins, we are orphans and desperately lost. But God
loves us and wants to adopt us into His family. The Son of God, Jesus, paid
the price for our redemption - and our adoption - by dying on the cross for
our sins (Ephesians 1:7). The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians: "For you
did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself
bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children,
then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer
with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:15-17).

When is one adopted into the family of God? Here is where the two pictures
combine: one is adopted into the family of God when he or she is born again.

God will save and adopt into His family those who place their faith and
trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized -
"born again" - for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). He adds us
to His family, the church, and we enjoy all the spiritual blessings that are
found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), including knowing God as our heavenly
Father and sharing relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ.

As Christians we exclaim, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on
us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1
John 3:1).

The Good News is that YOU can be "born again" and "adopted" into the Family
of God, too. Trust and obey Jesus. God wants you to be in His family,
forever.

-- David A. Sargent

* From "Family of God" by Robert C. Shannon as quoted in www.preaching.com.

Lisette LeJeune

Didn't Have To

On December 3, 2020, Lisette LeJeune tested positive for COVID-19. A single
mother of two, she immediately quarantined herself and her boys, Matteo, 3,
and Adonnis, 14. The boys tested positive 3 days after she did.

"We took quarantine really seriously ... we were not coming out at all,"
said LeJeune. She even warned her mail carrier of their predicament. "I
opened the door one day with my mask on and told my mail lady that we had
COVID and I would put a bucket in front of the house so she could just drop
it in without touching our mail box."

The next day, LeJeune received more than just mail from the mail lady. The
USPS carrier delivered the LeJeune's mail along with a personal gift. It
was a care package - a bag filled with canned foods, cookies, gummies and
orange juice. Attached was a note from the mail lady: "Get-well wishes ...
I hope you all are feeling better! - USPS Carrier, Mary."

"It just feels really nice for someone to really take the time to do
something kind," she said. It is especially heartwarming when the kind act
comes from someone who "didn't have to" do it.

Because of our sins, we are separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Our
situation is fatal (Romans 6:23). We are in desperate need.

God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die on the cross
for our sins. He didn't have to do it, but He did it because He loves us.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 ESV).

Jesus willingly gave His life for us. He didn't have to do it; He did it
because He was obedient to His Father and because He loves us.

Jesus said, "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I
may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command
I have received from My Father" (John 10:17-18 NIV).

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Because of His loving sacrifice, we can have salvation from our sins, be
added to His family, and receive the gift of eternal life (Ephesians 1:7;
2:13-19; Romans 6:23).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his
friends" (John 15:13 NKJV). Jesus demonstrated that great love for us -
even when He didn't have to. That's why it's called grace.

Won't YOU accept His loving offer of salvation and eternal life and commit
your life to following Him?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Texas mail carrier sends get-well package to
single mother battling COVID-19" by Daniella Genovese, www.foxnews.com.

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Should I accept Jesus into my heart?

GOD’S GRACIOUS PLAN OF SALVATION

 

From time to time, at least twice a year, I try to present to my readers God’s gracious plan of salvation as set forth in the New Testament.  Since it has been several months since I have posted this, I thought that now, early in the new year, would be a good time to do so.  Nothing in this will be new to most of my readers, but I hope that they may use it as an evangelistic tool and forward this edition of “Hugh’s News & Views” to friends, neighbors, and family members who are not New Testament Christians.  Think of the joy that would come if just one soul learned the truth, obeyed it, and was saved!  We must all be faithful in sharing the gospel and its saving truth with as many as possible.

 

A number of my readers have never obeyed the gospel and are therefore in a lost state (II Thessalonians 1:6-10).  I have a deep and sincere love for them and their souls and a compelling desire to share God’s wonderful plan of salvation with them.  I want all of them to hear and understand the pure gospel of Christ, as opposed to a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).  I want all of them to know God’s simple plan of salvation as opposed to corruptions of that plan by the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men (Matthew 15:8-9; II Timothy 4:3-5). The so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” is a travesty of what God’s word teaches about salvation.  I urge all to read all the passages cited in this essay. 

 

Salvation begins with the recognition that one is a sinner, and therefore lost and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23; Titus 3:3).  God, in His matchless grace (His graciousness), gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins (John 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead that we might be saved.  This is the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-5).  And it is this gospel that is God’s power to save those who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 6:16-18).  Now follow these Bible steps.

 

HEAR THE GOSPEL.  Christ commissioned the teaching and preaching of the gospel in all nations to every creature until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  No one can be saved without hearing the gospel.

 

BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.  The gospel is God’s power to save those who will believe it (Romans 1:16).  Without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  Christ declared, “For if you do not believe that I am He (the Messiah, the Savior of the world, hf) you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

 

REPENT OF ALL SIN.  God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  To repent means to change one’s mind, leading to a change of actions and a change of spiritual direction in one’s life.  If one is in Nashville, TN and wants to go to Knoxville but finds himself on I-40 West headed toward Memphis, he must turn around and head in the opposite direction.  Spiritually, one must do this with reference to the direction of his/her life.  That is repentance.

 

CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST.  One must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37 [KJV]).

 

BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SIN.  Christ made baptism a condition of salvation from sin.  He said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a).  In the New Testament sinners were told, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38).  Baptism is an immersion in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12).  Those who have only been sprinkled or had water poured on them (either as infants, children, or adults) have not been scripturally baptized.  Those submitting to human substitutes for God’s divine ordinance and those being immersed to “unite with the church” but not in order to receive the remission of their sins (or some biblically synonymous reason) need to make their calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10-11).

 

LIVE A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE.  Add to your life the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-9).  Avoid the works of the flesh and manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  Always abound in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).  Be faithful even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

 

These are the divine actions that every accountable being must take in order to be saved from sin, enter into a right relationship with God, be added to the one church (body) of Christ, and maintain a right relationship with Him.  Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). I want all to understand and obey God’s wonderful plan of salvation.  Remember: “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man given in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

Hugh Fulford