'...With God all things are possible" Mathews 19:26
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Uma vida dedicada ao evangelho
Every friday 3pm in Brazil
A life dedicated to the gospel
The necessity of water baptism
The role of water baptism in the salvation of people is very easy to understand. The apostle Peter told his listeners on the Day of Pentecost were "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). As baptism is "for the remission of sins" , it is absolutely necessary for salvation.
Some argue, however, that the baptism of Acts 2:38 is actually the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water baptism. There are several difficulties associated with this view.
Jesus promised his apostles that he would send the Holy Spirit, also described as "the Comforter" and "the Spirit of truth" , after ascending to heaven. After his resurrection, Jesus commanded the apostles to stay in Jerusalem to await the promise (Acts 1:4-5). They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit baptism that occurred on the Day of Pentecost, which could be seen when they spoke in tongues (2:1-4). The baptism of the Holy Spirit was not given to men, or any other man baptized with the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised, not commanded. Came "straight from heaven."
In Acts 2:38, however, Peter did not tell his listeners "waiting" by baptism, the baptism of Acts 2:38 was ordained. Why Peter commanded baptism to be baptized in Acts 2:38 was the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Certainly his listeners did not control the Holy Spirit. What good would ordain the apostles to be baptized? The baptism of Acts 2:38 is one that they could seek and receive in obedience, rather than one given to them in accordance with the will of the Holy Spirit.
The nature of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was again illustrated in Acts 10 when the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his house (verses 44 and 47). They were not seeking this baptism was administered in the sky. Then Peter commanded Cornelius and his household were baptized in the name of the Lord - the baptism of the Great Commission.
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were fulfilling the great commission as was given to them by Jesus. He said: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). He was ordained the apostles to baptize these listeners, so the baptism was ordained, not promised. It makes sense that the baptism of Acts 2:38 would be the same as the baptism of the Great Commission.
Does anyone believe that the baptism of the Great Commission is the baptism with the Holy Spirit? In Mark's account, Jesus connects the Great Commission baptism and salvation through faith -"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ..." (16:16). The baptism of the Great Commission is placed before salvation, and is a condition for salvation. The baptism of Acts 2:38 is on the way to salvation, it is "for the remission of sins"
Serpents and Doves
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
Serpentes and doves - two creatures with little in common. And yet, in the development of our character, we should be "how" they are in some respects. It's a good paradox, is not it? Much of the character of Christian is a paradox.
For example:
We should control our tongues (James 3:1-12) but also be bold in speech (Ephesians 6:20). There is no virtue in a language that is uncontrolled or daring in a language that is so controlled that it is never daring. Our languages need a "daring controlled" for both publicly rebuke sin (Galatians 2:11-21) and particularly (Matthew 18:15). Although the consequences may be unpleasant (Mark 6:16-18), we must speak boldly, and when the situation requires, our languages should be straightforward bold (Matthew 23:15). The fear of saying the wrong thing should not prevent us from saying the right thing (Matthew 10:26-27). Silence does not always reflect wisdom, sometimes it just shows cowardice.
The humility of Paul (1 Corinthians 15:9) and at the same time, their confidence (2 Timothy 4:7-8) exemplify another paradox. Humility should not create timidity but confidence should not lead to arrogance. The humility will keep us aware of our own weaknesses but should never cause hesitation in pointing out sin in the lives of others (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). We are humbled that we run the risk of making mistakes in opinions and understandings of truth, but we are confident that there are certain things of which we are sure that can not be compromised (Galatians 2:5).
The virtue of patience (Galatians 5:22) has to be balanced by intolerance (Colossians 2:4,8,16,18). The need is patience as we try to progress to maturity, but intolerance is accurate when progress does not happen and goals are not met (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14). It's one thing to suffer with sinners as they try to overcome sin, but tolerate sin is completely different (Revelation 2:15-16, 20-21).
Surely we should care what others think of us (Matthew 5:13-16), but at the same time, we care little about the way we evaluate (Galatians 1:10). The virtue of living to influence others (Philippians 2:12-16) can so easily become addicted to living to please others (Galatians 2:11-21).
Some are likely "by nature" to be "like snakes" or "doves" and the devil uses our "natural inclinations" to cause an unbalanced character. He would emphasize what is easy and does not emphasize what is not. As a result we often go to extremes: a person falsely believes that sophisticated people "educated" avoid talking about bold, confident pronouncements, intolerance of sin and conduct that may "offend" others, or a realist who is abusive in speech , arrogant, intolerant and unconcerned with what others may think.
The development of a balanced character but paradoxically does not come quickly (Hebrews 5:12 - "elapsed time" ) or easy (1 Corinthians 9:25 - "to dominate" ), but there are no shortcuts to reach maturity
The man lacked one thing
H avia a remarkable man who came to Jesus one day to see how he could go to heaven. It looked like a man who longed for life right with God. Although he had led a life of good quality, within the moral standards and decency and was a kind man, he realized he still had something. He recognized that Jesus could meet this need and wished much better.
Jesus told the man that he lacked only one thing. He needed to sell all he had to give income to the poor and follow him. "But he countered with this word, he went away sad, because he owned much property" (Mark 10:22).
It is clear that the man really wanted to go to heaven, but was not willing to pay such a high price. The reaction of this man to Jesus' answer shows that Jesus was right in diagnosing your problem. No doubt he loved his possessions more than God, and no one can go to heaven without loving God above all things.
Consider some important points:
The good men, honest, good moral and humble will be lost if you love anything more than God.
Love pulls no punches. Jesus loved the man, but told him frankly what I needed to hear.
Only one thing can lead us to destruction, if we love it more than God.
Jesus told us to open up what?
Do we love our stuff more than God? (It's easy to saywe love God more than our possessions). Or is there a person, a pleasure, a target, an addiction ... I love more than God?
Many go away sad. The gospel is demanding. Jesus urged men to estimate the cost. Few truly love God more than anything, and therefore, few actually follow Christ.
Jesus told the man that he lacked only one thing. He needed to sell all he had to give income to the poor and follow him. "But he countered with this word, he went away sad, because he owned much property" (Mark 10:22).
It is clear that the man really wanted to go to heaven, but was not willing to pay such a high price. The reaction of this man to Jesus' answer shows that Jesus was right in diagnosing your problem. No doubt he loved his possessions more than God, and no one can go to heaven without loving God above all things.
Consider some important points:
The good men, honest, good moral and humble will be lost if you love anything more than God.
Love pulls no punches. Jesus loved the man, but told him frankly what I needed to hear.
Only one thing can lead us to destruction, if we love it more than God.
Jesus told us to open up what?
Do we love our stuff more than God? (It's easy to saywe love God more than our possessions). Or is there a person, a pleasure, a target, an addiction ... I love more than God?
Many go away sad. The gospel is demanding. Jesus urged men to estimate the cost. Few truly love God more than anything, and therefore, few actually follow Christ.
