Someone writes: "You seem to take the approach that people were initiated in different ways into the church, suggesting that Acts 2 is a pattern for the conversion of Jews and Acts 10 is a pattern for the conversion of Gentiles." * * * I am sorry if I left that impression. I am not suggesting a separate "pattern" for Jews and Gentiles -- or even one pattern (in the traditional sense of a formula, or of stating "man's part" in some do-it-yourself salvation scheme) for all of them. I am saying that Acts 2 is an account of the first gospel sermon to Jews who personally helped crucify Jesus, and … [Read more...]

A gracEmail reader writes, "Yes, Jesus paid it all, and salvation cannot be earned. But there still remains the question of how one 'appropriates' salvation. We talk in circles about this. I'm still seeking a biblical theology that makes sense, is faithful to the text, gives God all the glory for our salvation, yet calls us to holy living and unquestioning obedience." * * * Perhaps we will never answer all the questions, or provide a scheme or formula that explains everything. Remember, we are discussing an interpersonal relationship, not a theory or a program. But we can speak truthfully … [Read more...]

Someone writes: "You seem to take the approach that people were initiated in different ways into the church, suggesting that Acts 2 is a pattern for the conversion of Jews and Acts 10 is a pattern for the conversion of Gentiles." * * * I am sorry if I left that impression. I am not suggesting a separate "pattern" for Jews and Gentiles -- or even one pattern (in the traditional sense of a formula, or of stating "man's part" in some do-it-yourself salvation scheme) for all of them. I am saying that Acts 2 is an account of the first gospel sermon to Jews who personally helped crucify Jesus, and … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber writes, "Jesus says that 'no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit' (John 3:5). I have heard for many years that this means that unless you are baptized, you cannot be saved. Is this a reference to baptism in water?" * * * Every human is born "of water" or "of flesh" into this world, and has a nature that "is flesh." Only those "born from above" are born "of Spirit" and have a regenerated nature that "is spirit." Every one of us needs spiritual regeneration by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Receiving Christ by faith is a sure … [Read more...]

A sister on the U.S. Gulf Coast agrees that we are not saved by our works but insists that we are saved by being baptized in water. Baptism is not a "work," she says, since it is "obedience," and obedience is necessary for salvation. * * * Other than the Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Salvation Army who spiritualize baptism, and certain dispensationalists who limit it to a previous "age," I do not know any Christian group which denies that Jesus commands baptism in water, or that baptism is obedience, or that we ought to obey Christ by being baptized. But the approach described in the … [Read more...]

A visitor to the web page containing these articles writes, "I repented and placed my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in April of 1961, but I was not baptized in water until ten years later. If I had died during that interval, would I have gone to heaven or hell?" * * * Only God, who alone sees all inner hearts and outer circumstances, knows for sure who is saved or lost. Should someone ask me the same question you asked, while going through such a ten-year period, I would want to inquire why that person had not obeyed the Lord's command to be baptized. If she or he were seeking to obey Jesus … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber asks point-blank, "Do you believe in baptism?" * * * Let me answer directly, carefully and specifically. No, I do not "believe in" baptism. If I did, my faith would rest on flimsy grounds indeed, for baptism has no inherent power to do anything except perhaps relieve my body of an outermost coating of dust. I "believe in" the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:11). I "believe in" the Father who sent him into the world, who raised him from the dead, who exalted him to his own right hand in glory, who … [Read more...]

A gracEmail subscriber writes: "What you say are Bible truths but they are not all of the truth. In addition to belief, immersion is necessary for salvation. To preach a half truth is to preach a lie. I am sorry for all the elders who invite you into their flock. I pray for those who will be subjected to your false teaching. There comes a time when a man needs to be rebuked and reproved. I am trying to do that in a spirit of love and concern as your very soul is at risk." * * * I do appreciate your concern for me and your desire to speak in a spirit of love. However, I fear that you are … [Read more...]

A preacher in the Churches of Christ, among whom and from which I also serve God in his universal church, asks why the Gentiles at Cornelius' house were commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:48) if they already were saved. Their baptism could not be "for remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), he says, if they already had been forgiven. * * * Three reasons spring immediately to mind why Peter commanded these folks to be baptized. First, because Jesus commanded those who preach the gospel to baptize hearers who believe it (Matt. 28:19). As an obedient apostle, Peter did what Jesus ordained. Second, … [Read more...]