My good friend Heath Stapleton has an excellent blog post on the sinner’s prayer.
T.W. Brents on the Baptism of John
T.W. Brents preached a sermon titled “The Mission Of John The Baptist” in which he presented several arguments on why John’s converts did not need to be baptized again on the day of Pentecost.
Baptism Comes Before…
Baptism comes before salvation (Mark. 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
Baptism comes before the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
Baptism comes before the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)
Baptism comes before newness of life (Romans 6:3-4)
Baptism comes before putting on Christ (Galatians. 3:26-27)
Baptism comes before putting off the body of the flesh (Colossians 2:11-13)
Baptism comes before being added to the church by the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:13)
AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE
am-big-u-ous 1. Open to more than one interpretation: an ambiguous reply. 2. Doubtful or uncertain: SYNONYM: ambiguous, equivocal, obscure, recondite, abstruse, vague, cryptic, enigmatic These adjectives mean lacking clarity of meaning. Ambiguous indicates the presence of two or more possible meanings (American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc).
Vague statements are capable of leaving the wrong impression and increase the possibility of deception. Statements need to be qualified (“modified, limited, or restricted in some way”) in order to know exactly what is meant by the one communicating. Noncommittal answers fail to give the proper response when we are bound to give a defense for our faith (1 Peter 3:15)! The truth of God’s Word (John 17:17) is perfect (James 1:25) and is our objective standard (John 12:48).
Consider the following statements keeping in mind the definition of ambiguous language (Open to more than one interpretation).
“I believe the Bible.” It is noble for one to state that they believe the Bible! Does this individual believe the Bible is a “good book” or do they believe and recognize it as the authority in all spiritual matters? Is the Bible to be believed only when it doesn’t conflict with religion, lifestyle, tradition, creeds or associations? Rejected when it is applied specifically as being the final authority? Many believe the Bible, but few faithfully obey its teachings (Matthew 7:21-23). What is meant when one says “I believe the Bible”?
“Baptism does not save.” Does this ambiguous statement conclude that baptism cannot save alone or is it saying that baptism is not essential to salvation? The Apostle Peter records: “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 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 Peter 3:18-21). Baptism saves; but not removed from faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), and confessing the name of Christ (Acts 8:37).
Jesus preached that immersion in His name was essential to salvation! Mark 16:16 reads, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Peter by inspiration told his hearers “…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). Baptism is essential to salvation. Baptism alone does not save!
“We don’t have music in the church” Now and again, a well-intentioned member of the church of Christ will say “we don’t have music in the church.” This generally refers to the absence of mechanical instruments of music in the worship. The statement is ambiguous. The church of Christ does have “music” in its worship. Vocal music is a part of Christian worship (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Our singing praise to God is a type of spiritual sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). There is power in singing to: 1. Teach 2. Admonish 3. Encourage, and 4. Motivate. During the lifetime, and in the writings of the apostles, Christian praise is never described with musical instruments, only the human voice and heart.
“I believe Christ’s law on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage.” The subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage is one of the most sensitive issues currently facing the church. The subject has become so diverse preachers, elders and members often misapply the Scriptures.
One may state that they believe Christ’s teaching on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, yet when they make application, may believe: 1. that the law of God on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage only applies to Christians, and not those outside of Christ. 2. More than one exception (“fornication”) is acceptable for Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. 3. That regardless of their marital history, one may continue to live with the spouse they have at the time of their baptism. 4. That a deserted believer may remarry. 5. That the guilty party may remarry. 6. That couples can live in adultery with God’s approval. 7. That adulterous marriages are washed away at baptism.
We must speak the truth of God’s Word in love and make it clear that marriage is intended by God to be a lifelong union (Matthew 19:6). We are obligated to help our hearers understand that in the absence of Scriptural cause, divorce itself is sinful (Matthew 19:6). When remarriage takes place, the additional sin of adultery is committed. First, by the man or woman who unscripturally puts away a mate and remarries (Mark 10:11-12). Second, by the one put away who remarries (Matthew 5:32). And Third, by the one who marries the one put away (Matthew 5:32). Unscriptural divorce invites the additional sin of remarriage and adultery.
Ambiguous language is detrimental to the cause of Christ and to the faithful transmission of the Word of God. Neil W. Anderson gets to the heart of the matter when he writes:
“Ask questions of those who teach you and your children. Hold their teachings up to the light of God’s Word. When people say they believe something, ask them to explain what they mean or apply it to a situation. Don’t just assume that because they are using the same phrase as you would that they mean the same thing. They may, but they may not – be alert (Gospel Advocate, March 2000, p. 3).
