A Passage for Supper

“Do this in remembrance of Me” is sometimes one of the hardest commands in the Bible to follow. Whether taking the Lord’s Supper has become so habitual that you just go through the motions, a child unexpectedly begins to get fussy, or someone drops the communion tray, focusing on Jesus during the Lord’s Supper can be difficult. It takes a great love for God, a sincere, worshiping heart, and a high level of concentration. 

So, I’ll ask a simple question, “have you ever read scripture to keep your mind on Christ?”. If not, it’s certainly worth a try. I can think of no passage more fitting than Isaiah chapter 53. While the Gospel accounts give us a few details of the death of our Lord, they are not as descriptive or graphic as Isaiah’s great chapter about the Suffering Servant. I don’t want to get bogged down in what the passage means. Just read it, and allow the words to form a picture of your Savior.

Isaiah 53

1  Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2  For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

3  He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4  Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

7  He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.

8  He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

9  And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

10  Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

11  He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.

12  Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.

How Should Christians Respond to Sin?

His name is Jason Collins, and he is the first openly gay man in American professional team sports. News of this man’s “coming out” has been everywhere, including out of the mouth of believers in Christ. One such believer in Christ, Chris Broussard--who happens to be a prominent sports writer and analyst for ESPN--said on Outside The Lines, a popular show on ESPN, “If you're openly living that type of lifestyle [homosexuality], the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that that's a sin.” Broussard also said, “If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and Jesus Christ.” To this, Christians everywhere should respond, “AMEN.” There should be more believers in Christ who are not afraid to stand behind the Bible and Jesus Christ. Having said all of this, what is the proper response to sin Christians should have today? I believe the vocal response of Chris Broussard is a great model for how sin should be spoken of, but is speaking against sin the ONLY response? 

There is the Westboro Baptist Church Approach

When responding to sinful behavior there is one group of people who set the mark for unchristian action. Westboro Baptist Church has been notorious for their vitriolic responses to sinful activity. They are commonly seen picketing funerals of fallen military men claiming that they died because America loves homosexuals. These responses do nothing but hurt Christ’s influence in the world and do not do any good in bringing sinful men to Christ. I think 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 should shed some light on this: “9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Paul here admits that these sins are not fit to be in God’s Kingdom, but he also reminds us that sinners can be washed, sanctified, and justified! Our response to sinful behavior should always be conditioned by our desire for the sinner to be washed, sanctified and justified. 

There is the Rob Bell Approach

Rob Bell, a former mega-church pastor, gave his seal of approval on gay marriage and homosexuality in general when he spoke out on the subject in this way: "I believe God [is] pulling us ahead into greater and greater affirmation and acceptance of our gay brothers and sisters and pastors and friends and neighbors and coworkers.” This is just one of many examples of “pastors” giving into culture and running away from scripture. Does Mr. Bell ignore the apostle Paul’s admission that homosexuality is “vile passion?” We won’t ignore it: “26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due (Romans 1:26-27).” Why is it so hard to agree with God? I certainly cannot endorse this reaction to blatant sin.

There is Jesus’ Approach

Our Master had a knack for being balanced. He was simultaneously able to love and reach out to sinners while still calling them to repent and turn to God. Consider John 8:1-11. A woman is brought before Jesus as an adulterer (vs 3-4). Some of the religious “elite” wanted to have her stoned, but Christ pointed out to them that they should examine themselves before condemning this sinful woman to death (vs 5-9). He then proceeds to tell her that He does not condemn her, but that she should go and sin no more (vs 10-11). Our Lord lovingly reached out to a sinful woman. He did not shout harmful slurs at her, rather He lovingly told her that she needed to stop sinning. This is just one of many examples of our Lord reaching out to the sinful people of Palestine. If there is one thing we can learn from all of these occurrences it is that Jesus came in contact with these sinful people, He did not drive them away. 

In conclusion I want to suggest two guidelines to remember when reacting to sinful behavior:(1) Do not neglect truth to accommodate what culture deems as necessary or good. Sin is sin in any culture. (2) Do not neglect love by simply saying what is true, but not reaching out to help the person caught in sin. Conversions will never take place if all we do is stand on our soapbox and yell about sin. Let us speak out against sin, but let us always reach out to the sinner.

Is Baptism a work of human merit? Part 3

Baptism isn’t a work of human merit because scripture says it isn’t

Perhaps the most compelling argument against the idea that baptism is a work of human merit is the fact that God’s Holy Inspired Word said it isn’t. Notice Paul’s words to Titus:

“1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:1-7)”

Did you see what Paul said there? He said that the kindness and love of God appeared, saving us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. And he also made it a point to say that all of this is accomplished “not by works of righteousness which we have done.” Now, whatever the washing and renewing Paul is talking about here is, it accomplishes justification and gives hope of eternal life (vs 7). So, what is the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit? For this we must notice other passages. John 3:5 states: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again of water and the Spirit. Paul says something similar in Ephesians 5:26: that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word. Furthermore, Paul also states in 1 Corinthians 12:13: 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. Here we have no less than four passages that describe the New Birth process. In birth there is a begetting (implantation of seed), delivery, and inheritance privileges enjoyed afterward. Consider this chart: 

	Begetting	Delivery	Privileges
John 3:5	Spirit	Water	Kingdom of God
Ephesians 5:26	Word	Washing of Water	Sanctify and Cleanse
1 Corinthians 12:13	Spirit	Baptized	One Body
Titus 3:5	Holy Spirit	Washing of Regeneration	Saved

The washing of regeneration of Titus 3:5, when studied honestly, can be nothing other than the submissive act of baptism. Therefore, the action that Paul is describing to Titus as Christ saving us apart from our own meritorious works is the submission to Christ in being baptized for the remission of sins. Baptism. Is it a work? Surely. Is it a work of human merit? Never.

Is baptism a work of human merit? Part 2

Baptism is Not a Cleansing Ritual, but a Cleansing of Conscience

Some have rejected literal water baptism because they say it is a cleansing ritual similar to the washing of feet under Moses’ Law. They claim that the rituals of the Old Law are done away with and it would be preposterous to go back to something like that under the New Covenant. Let us examine Hebrews 9:11-14: 

“11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 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?”

Under Moses’ Law, once a year on the day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter the “Most Holy Place” and sprinkle the blood of a bull and of a goat on the mercy seat atop the ark of the covenant  thus making atonement for the people (Leviticus 16:14-16). The above passage tells us that Christ, being our New High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place once and for all with His own blood to obtain eternal redemption for all. Now when the High Priest of Moses’ Law would prepare to enter the Most Holy Place, he had to do a ritual cleansing of himself and his clothes before he could enter (Leviticus 16:1-4). Verse 13 above describes this process as taking the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer and sprinkling and washing the High Priest before he could enter. Verse 14 then goes on to explain that now we have a blood sacrifice much greater than bulls and goats which no longer cleanses man’s flesh, but his conscience. Connect this thought with Hebrews 10:19-22: 

“19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” 

The Hebrews writer says that since Christ has entered the Most Holy Place with a perfect sacrifice, we should be able to enter as well with “boldness. (vs 19)” He then explains that the way to do this is to have our “hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (vs 22)” Hebrews 9:24 explains that the Most Holy Place we are entering is heaven. And so, there is something we must do that involves having our consciences cleaned and our bodies washed with pure water that allows us to one day follow Christ into the Most Holy Place, that is heaven. At this time please look at 1 Peter 3:21: There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the appeal to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here Peter describes saving baptism not as a removal of filth from the flesh (i.e. a ritual cleansing like the High Priest underwent before he entered the Most Holy Place on the day of atonement), but as a calling out to God for a clean conscience. Does that sound familiar to what the Hebrews writer says Christ will do in Hebrews? Hebrews 9:14: 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? Baptism is that way in which I become fit to enter the Most Holy Place, following my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is not a ritualistic cleansing of the body, but a commanded cleansing of man’s evil conscience, and it must be done if we are to enter into the Most Holy Place (Heaven) with Christ.

Is Baptism a Work of Human Merit? Part 1

This is a question that I wanted to answer after reading a recent article on why “Christians” shouldn’t watch Duck Dynasty. The article, written by someone in a denomination, urged believers in Christ to think before they watch the popular show because the characters in the show are members of the church of Christ. They went on to explain that this was a bad thing because the church of Christ teaches “works salvation.” The common argument is that baptism can’t be essential to salvation because that would mean that humans are working their way to heaven. I want to use this article to say, “No, baptism is NOT a work of human merit.” Here are some reasons why.

Baptism is part of Faith

One common objection to the essentiality of baptism is that the scriptures teach that we are saved by grace through faith. I would say that this is true! The scriptures DO teach that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The difference comes when you define what faith is. Most of the religious world thinks that faith is simply mental acknowledgement. It is an accepting in one’s mind the life, death, resurrection and teachings of Jesus. We might call this believing in the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 1 Cor. 15:1-4.). While I completely agree that mental acknowledgement of these things is a part of faith, it is not all of it. Consider Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. A second and equally important part of faith involves seeking God. If there is no seeking, there is no faith. One one occasion a woman who was stricken with a serious health issue tried to do this very thing, seek Jesus. Matthew 9:20-22: And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. She believed that touching Jesus’ garment would heal her and so she did touch His garment and she was healed. Jesus explained to her that her faith had made her well. In the same way, those who would want to be Christians and be saved by the blood of Christ should believe in Christ and do what Christ said, that is be baptized (Mark 16:16). All of this is encompassed in the word faith. It is not that I am saved before baptism because I had faith before baptism, but that I am saved during baptism because I have faith when I am baptized.

Baptism is passive, not active

The command “be baptized” is a passive command. This means it is something that is done to you rather than something you do to yourself. Within this fact we see that baptism is really an act of humility, not something one can boast about. The reason Paul gives as to why we are saved by grace through faith and not by works is “so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Baptism isn’t something I can boast about because it isn’t something i’ve done myself, but what someone has done to me. Peter describes baptism as “an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). Baptism is really the point at which I give my entire sin-filled life up to God and allow Him to save me. So, really baptism is passive in two ways: (1) someone other than myself physically immerses me into water, and (2) God washes away my sins and declares me justified in His sight. Baptism really has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God and His mercy.

Working Out the Godly Muscle, Part 4

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:20-21)” The first two exercises in godliness, namely prayer and study, have been about cultivating a pious, devoted relationship with God. Put simply, prayer and study teach us to love God. The third and final exercise in godliness comes from the principle outlined in the above passage. John imposes upon us a difficult thing. I cannot simply pray and study and love the Lord my God and then neglect those around me. In  fact, Jesus himself informed us “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. (Matthew 25:40)” Jesus was of course speaking of serving those who are downtrodden in this life: the hungry, thirsty, foreign, naked, sick, and sinful. Victor Hugo is famous for penning in his book, Les Miserables, “To love another is to see the face of God.” So it seems that there is a direct connection between the way we treat the people around us and the way we see God. By way of motivation to serve consider Hebrews 12:28: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. It is by the grace of God that I am privileged to serve Him and by extension of serving Him I am called to serve my fellow man. One of the qualities needed for this task is “godly fear,” or devotion. Our Master was the greatest servant who ever lived, and may we imitate Him by serving the people around us, drawing near to Him as He draws near to us. 

Working Out the Godly Muscle, Part 3

The second exercise which one can do to train oneself toward godliness is study. Where prayer is an exercise in talking to God, study is an exercise in listening to God. Communication with others is always two-sided. Sometimes I must talk, and sometimes I must listen. Effective communication breaks down when one or the other is missing. How can I ever devote myself to God (godliness) if I never listen to Him? Furthermore, how can I ever know to whom I’m giving my devotion if He has not revealed himself to me? The Scriptures are God’s autobiography in which He tells us everything we need to know about Him. We must study them.

I said previously that the godliness about which we are talking is not the same thing as right living. It is more-so a desire to know God and be close to him, or as previously put, to be God-minded. Having said that, being God-minded is really the first step in right living. If I am a godly person (someone who continually considers God) I will eventually live the way He wants me to be, which is righteous. This is where study as an exercise in godliness comes in. God has revealed Himself to me through Scripture, so I study scripture to learn of Him and to be what He would have me to be. In second Peter chapter one Peter starts describing the attributes one should have if he is to be a “partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-7).” He explains in verse 3 that God has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” and the medium through which one obtains this godliness, “the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” In verse 6 he explains that one of those things we learn through the knowledge of Christ in order to be partakers of the divine nature is godliness. So, it is my studied conviction that if I am ever to obtain godliness, I must have knowledge of God. The medium through which I obtain that knowledge which leads to godliness is studying His written, revealed word! Paul puts it similarly in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 when he warns Timothy about people who don’t teach the “doctrine which accords with godliness.” There is a doctrine that is according to godliness, and that is Christ’s Doctrine. 

Devotion and reverence toward God will never happen if one does not know God and become intimate with Him. One will not know God unless he studies what God has revealed to Him in His word. Just like prayer causes us to think about God often, study teaches us who that God is, what He expects of us, and what the rewards or consequences are for being godly or ungodly. Digging deep into the Holy words of God will make you even more intimate with the Father, getting you even closer to that goal of godliness.