Archives for 2012

Life (now) beyond the graveI. Being baptized into union with Jesus means we live in newness of life, free from Satan's effective power (Rom. 6:1-4). A. Satan's power stops at the grave (6:7). B. Jesus died and rose to live beyond the grave, out of Satan's reach (6:9-10). C. We died and rose with Jesus, as evidenced by our baptism, and can now ignore and defy Satan when he tempts (6:3-6). D. We should reckon this to be the case and continually present our bodies for obedience to God (6:11-14). II. Being baptized into union with Jesus means we live by faith although we never … [Read more...]

Stepping across the dividing lineI. The larger context: Peter encourages Christians who suffer for their faith. A. They are "different" from unbelievers around them. The unbelieving world therefore mistreats, slanders and persecutes believers. 1 Peter 1:1 2:11-12, 15 3:13-14 4:3-4, 12 5:9 B. Unbelievers also judged Jesus and mistreated him, but Jesus bore it patiently and entrusted himself to God who is faithful. God raised Jesus out of death and exalted him in glory. This is the gospel story. 1:20-21 2:4, 7 2:21-24 3:18-19, 22 C. Truly believing this gospel enables … [Read more...]

Divine power for new lifeI. The Holy Spirit Creates Spiritual Life (Titus 3:3-7; Ezek. 36:22-27; John 3:3-6). II. Jesus "Baptizes" Believers in God's Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7-8;Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:1-8). A. Jewish believers (Acts 2). Those who repent and are baptized in Jesus' name (and also those God will "call" later) are promised "the gift of the Holy Spirit" (2:38-39; see also 5:32). B. Gentile believers (Acts 10-11). Those who received the Spirit are commanded to be baptized in water in Jesus' name (10:48). C. Every Christian (1 Cor. 12:13; compare 1 Cor. … [Read more...]

The inside and outside of the matter I. The Outward Act: Dipping in Water and Bringing Out. A. We believe the most biblical physical act of baptism to be immersion in water. 1. The primary meaning of the word baptizo/bapto suggests this. a. Bapto Baptizo b. Ex. 12:22 2 Kings 5:14 c. Lev. 14:6, 16, 51 Isa. 21:4 d. Josh. 3:15 e. Ruth 2:14 2. Narratives of biblical baptisms suggest this. a. John 3:23 b. Acts 8:38-39 B. The significance of this outward physical act. 1. Burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). 2. New creation (2 Cor. 5:17; Gen. 1:1-2). 3. … [Read more...]

A conscience washed clean I. Imagery of Forgiveness as "Washing". A. Objectively (in God's sight). 1. The blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5). 2. The Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:5). 3. The word of God/Christ (John 15:3 - logos; Eph. 5:25-26 - rhema). B. Subjectively (for "clean" conscience): baptismal water (Heb. 1:22; Acts 22:16; see also 1 Pet. 3:21). 1. The outer is meaningless without inner. 2. The inner calls for form in meaningful personal experience. II. Old Testament background of forgiveness (lit. "release"). A. Scapegoat "released" into desert (Lev. … [Read more...]

Washing God's newborn childI. How We Understand and Interpret Scripture Depends on our Perspective/Framework. Remember: the Reality is Larger Than Any Window's View of It. A. Sacerdotal ("right" words + "correct" motions = desired result) vs. evangelical (God meets words and deeds done in faith). B. Sacramental (God acts in the ordinance) vs. symbolic (the ordinance only points to God's action). C. Reformed/Calvinist (Christ's atonement accomplished salvation for all who will finally be saved = the elect) vs. Arminian/Wesleyan (Christ's atonement made salvation possible for … [Read more...]

"Meet me at the water" A. As risen Messiah of the end-time with universal sovereignty granted by God himself, Jesus sends out the 12 to bring all nations into discipleship to him. B. The inclusive scope: all authority; all the nations; all I commanded; all the days. C. "All authority given" (see Daniel 7:13-14). D. The commission: "going, make disciples" bring the people into submissive relationship with Jesus the risen Messiah. 1. Two participles elaborate on disciple-making. a. Baptizing. (1) "Into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit". (a) No example of Trinitarian … [Read more...]

The Savior and the sinners I. The Accounts of Jesus' Baptism. A. Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus is the Righteous Remnant of Israel who does the Father's will). "In this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15; see Isaiah 64:5). B. Mark 1:9-11 (Jesus is God's Son). "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mk. 1:1). C. Luke 3:21-22 (Jesus is the Second Adam who redeems humankind). "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus also was baptized" (Lk. 3:21). II. The Signs at Jesus' Baptism. A. The heavens open (Matt. 3:16; … [Read more...]