2 Chronicles 3 - Solomon Builds the Temple

2 Chronicles 3

Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. (verse 1)

Message: Solomon Builds the Temple

Time: 2 Chronicles, like 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and was separated into 2 books in 200 BC when the Septuagint was translated. This book focuses on Judah from 971-586 BC. The chronicler focused on the blessings God bestowed when leaders were faithful to His law. It covers Solomon's ascension to the throne to Judah finally carried into exile in Babylon. 

What the Lord is Saying: It has been a lot of preparation, which is understandable, given the magnitude of the temple. But now in these verses is the beginning of the construction in the fourth year of Solomons reign. 

This first temple will be a historical site, and the writer mentions the significance of the site as a place where the Lord appeared to his father David. Mount Moriah is also where Abraham offered Isaac. The site was also a threshing floor. This was recorded back in I Chronicles 21:18, "Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." While it is mentioned as Ornan the Jebusite's threshing floor, this was purchased by David as mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:24, "The king (David) said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver." He bought it and built and altar there for it to be a place of worship. 

The threshing floor is a common open space that was used for separating grain. It was an activity that only occurred during harvest time. Threshing separated the edible from the inedible. A reaper or someone that harvests crops would take a bunch of stalks of wheat with one hand, bending over, and then with a sickle in the other hand would slice or cut the base off and then take the remaining stalk and bind it into sheaves. Taking it then to the high hilltop, a sledge board with rocks in holes would beat against the stalks and help loosen them. This would be followed by throwing the stalks somewhat in the air with a winnowing fork and the wind or breeze would do the separation. 

Thus, the valuable grain separated from the worthless chaff by the wind. It is a reminder to me that God separates what is valuable and useful from what is not. Thus, it was a metaphor for God separating that which is ordinary into chosen or wicked. The wind or the Holy Spirit takes someone through the refining process with the result of the Word of God becoming alive in the person by the active agent of God in that person's life. The word takes root in the person. The person is chosen by God. 

Like many metaphors it uses an event or situation that was common in that day to help people understand. For those living in Bible times, grain represented 1/3rd of their diet.

When I think of my life, I don't see that I have accomplished anything spellbinding, but I have been witness to God's goodness through the reading and study of His word. 

Starting in verse 3, the description of the temple begin, starting with the foundation (v. 3), the porch or entrance where someone transitions from the secular to the sacred (v. 4), the main room (v. 5) being a central room where priest performed daily rituals to emphasize the sacredness of the space. For me, in the main room is where I read and study God's word and train myself daily for Godliness (I Timothy 4:7-8). 

Then more specifically is the design of the temple mentioned - the exterior (v. 6), the beams, thresholds, walls, doors (v. 7). 

The holy of holies is mentioned (v.8), the most sacred part of the temple where the priest would enter but one day of the year to offer atonement. This atonement is described in Leviticus 16. It is a vivid description whereby a goal is taken for an offering to "make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities...their transgressions...in regard to all their sins." And following the sacrifice, to "sprinkle some of the blood on the horns of the altar seven times" with "the goat bear on itself all of their iniquities" and then the body is bathed in the water to purify oneself like we do with baptism now. That baptism is another metaphor to show us the death and resurrection of Christ. And bathing oneself occurred prior to going to the Tent of Meeting, the place where we worshipped God. Our lives worship him and we need that baptism in our life. 

And Jesus will be the final scapegoat. "For it is on this day that atonement shall me made for you to cleanse you, you shall be clean from all your sins before the Lord" (verse 30). 

This holy of holies is described in much detail with the cherubim in the room, representing the presence of God in that place. 

Verse 14 mentions the veil where there is separation from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place. 

This same description of the temple is also mentioned in 1 Kings 6. In verse 7 there is a mention of "neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool" used in the building. Thus it was built in silence and also without any instruments of war. Verse 38 mentions a seven year process to build the temple. 

To read of this description and the details and the awe. There should be an approach I have towards God of reverence and awe thinking of all he has done in building this sacred place of worship, first in decoration but ultimately in building me - my self and designing me in the way he has. Our bodies are a temple, designed by Him. 

Summary: Solomon builds the temple in 7 years with the site being on the threshing floor marking the separation God makes in us from the secular to the sacred. 

Promise: We should approach God in worship with reverence and awe. 

Prayer: Lord, I have been busy in my life this past week, taking time many days to get through this study and as I did, took intentional days to think about the threshing floor, the place of separation that you have instituted in my life, that you have made happen. It is only by your mercy and love that I am a child of yours and made for your use. You have washed me in your spirit but also I bathe through baptism into the work of what you have done. I make myself clean so I can go into all the world and make your name known. Lord, thank you for the detail of this temple and raising up me as the temple and raising up your son Jesus to make the most ultimate sacrifice. I have described this to people and it seems funny to them or unusual, but a scapegoat is needed to cover sin. Lord, it is sad how in our day only certain sins are valued and yet thankful that there are any at all that are mentioned and yet there is so much in our life that is corrupt. Thank you for making me a new creature and bathing me anew and afresh to walk in life. Lord, there is so much that you have done and completed. And now I walk in newness of life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 3:22-30 - Christ Increasing

John 3:22-30
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Message: Christ Increasing

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus is over. In the process we've learned a lot, namely that the Spirit awakens people to a knowledge of their own sin, and in the process people are united to God in Christ for all eternity, no longer living in darkness but now following the Light; born again, through faith. 

Now we resume activity with John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples. Jesus along with the disciples and John are baptizing people in the City of Aenon "because there was much water there." This provides a clue or information to us that baptism seems to be by immersion. And there is a remark that John is baptizing because he is not yet in prison (v. 24). 

Then in verse 25, a discussion commences about purification, evidently a common discussion at this time. And the remark is that Jesus is getting all the people to be baptized and none are coming to John and the disciples. Is it a competition? John clarifies that he is not the Christ and he is only helping and preparing the way for Jesus. It is Jesus that descended from heaven and has been given authority from heaven. John does not have the authority. He admits once again that he is not the Christ. The attention is to be placed on Jesus. Jesus has given him a purpose in his living but that living is to glorify Jesus. From Tabletalk -- "Just as the friend of the bridegroom rejoices when the groom gets married and does not seek to be the center of attention at the wedding, so John rejoiced as Christ’s ministry increased." 

"He must increase, but I must decrease." Or as the song we sang says, "God rules." It is all about Him. 

Summary: God gave Jesus authority and we are commissioned to be His ambassadors, giving Him all the attention. 

Promise: He increases. The acclaim we receive from Him on that final day will be far greater than any acclaim we might receive from other people on this side of glory.

Prayer: God, it is opposite to the way of the World today. I decrease, You increase. Yet, Lord, I know that in eternity I will increase and You will lift me up while many may have bright days now but for eternity it will not continue for them. Keep that in the forefront of my mind. There is great freedom in You and I praise You for this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 3:9-10 - Mysterious Regeneration

John 3:9-10 

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

Message: Mysterious Regeneration

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been looking at this passage, what has stood out is the Work of the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirt, in awakening people to regeneration. We do not see this with our eyes. We only see the outcome of this in what a person says and acts. The Spirit is also likened to the blowing (invisible) wind. 

Some churches teach baptismal regeneration or that baptism is needed for salvation. But if the Spirit's work is invisible, how can we say that the personal act of baptism will regenerate a person? Baptism seems to be more a picture of the cleansing and renewal that occur in regeneration. It is necessary, but I don't think it is salvific. But let me study more.  

Going back to verse 5, what does it mean when Jesus says, "I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit?" In verse 9, Nicodemus asks, "How can these things be?" Verses 5 - 8 are recorded within quotes and as one complete quote and thought by Jesus. It starts with verse 5 and then also includes mentioning the contrast of water/Spirit and born of flesh, but most of the discourse of these verses is regarding the Spirit. And yet, with Nicodemus response of "How can these things be?" we wonder if he is also mentioning the idea of being 'born of water' in verse 5. As such, the challenge here is to determine what meaning was trying to be conveyed by Jesus here. 

[Note: Looking now at commentaries.] John has already been mentioned and so baptism seems to already be apparent. In the Tabletalk reading of today, the writer mentions that Christian baptism has not been instituted yet. That statement seems odd but maybe 'John the Baptist baptism' and 'Christian baptism' are different. And yet John made the statement that while he baptized with water, Jesus would come and baptize with the Spirit (John 1:26, 1:33). And so this must have been in the mind of Nicodemus when he said, "How can these things be?" 

Perhaps what is occurring is a combination now: water and Spirit. Jesus is recorded as saying in Mark 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." I think some have argued that since Jesus stated condemnation does not include baptism that somehow baptism is important for salvation. Not sure about that. It seems clear as I have discussed that the heart must be changed by the Spirit. 

Ezekiel 26:25-27 is an interesting set of verses running parallel to this:

25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

This is a great set of verses and has become one of my favorites since seeing the movie, "The Case for Christ" when I first realized verse 26 as it was a verse the wife was encouraged to pray over her husband, Lee Strobel, for his salvation. And it is a verse I have since echoed often for my youngest son. 

It is a fascinating set of verses declared by the Lord (as stated in verse 16). He says that after giving his wrath to them, in coming out of the land, he declares his name above the nations by saving and setting apart these people. He saves people. Why? To make His name great (v. 23). It speaks of being sprinkled which introduces another idea in the water baptism realm. But with the clean water the person is clean. The Lord will give a new heart and put a new spirit in them. And put His Spirit in them and cause them to walk in His statutes and they will carefully observe ordinances. Some may say this was only meant for Israel at this one time, but that seems odd to say that for God to act differently from one people group to another.  

Numbers 19:19-20 is another interesting verse because it shows similar words of washing that was needed by the Jews, and thus needed to be clean, to even appear before God in the tabernacle or temple: 19 Then the clean person shall sprinkle on the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify him from uncleanness, and he shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and shall be clean by evening. 20 ‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean.

Yet, Matthew Poole in his commentary writes this, "Thus our Saviour plainly instructs Nicodemus of the absolute necessity of an inward spiritual change and renovation, thereby showing the inefficacy of all the legal washings and sprinklings, that could not purify and make white one soul, which were of high valuation among the Jews."

It is puzzling, was the water symbolic or supposed to be used towards salvation? It is crazy, but I continue to study these passages and continue to walk away unsure. One thing I know of is I can't go wrong being baptized. Both Ezekiel and Numbers speak of water to clean, but perhaps that was necessary at that time to appear before God, but now through Christ, he makes us clean. And yet does he involved water and sprinkling, bathing and so baptism? 

I return back to John 3:9-10. One thing I notice again is Jesus has explained the meaning in verse 5-8 of being born again and yet in verse 9, Nicodemus states, "Huh?" Most would say Nicodemus is a natural man, bent on good deeds salvation, and so doesn't understand. Possibly. Maybe the Spirit needs to awaken in him the understanding and before that happens he doesn't understand. 

In verse 10, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus and wonders of the one that teaches, or of Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel and yet he does not understand. Jesus speaks with authority. Interesting that the word teacher that Jesus uses is the same word for teacher that Nicodemus used toward Jesus (didaskalos).

It must have been a sobering moment for Nicodemus. And maybe a reminder that even the teacher needs to be taught and has much to learn.  

Summary: Even to the Jewish leader and teacher, the things of truth can be mysterious. 

Promise: The Spirit in us is how we understand God and truth. 

Prayer: God, you know me. I continue to bounce back and forth on this subject of baptism. I can't find the comfort of knowing what is the requirement. Did you intend it mainly as a picture of the change that occurs, to show my cleansing while also believing in the need for me to be baptized and walk in the path that You and John walked? This is where I reside at the moment. And yet I hear so many others state variances to this and I struggle with it. I wish at times people were more understanding and everyone wasn't so dogmatic. Maybe my analyzing struggles to conclude an answer. Maybe I am too agreeable when people are so stern in their convictions. I am not sure, but I do see it is important. Thanks for these lessons and continuing to take me on the past of understanding. 

John 1:24-28 - The Baptism of John

John 1:24-28

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Message: The Baptism of John

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: The one's that are questioning John are sent from the Pharisees. The Pharisees were concerned about the keeping of the Law and therefore their lives were very clearly lived in piety, being religious or reverent and people looked at them for this example. There is a danger in being a Pharisee or like a Pharisee in that your strict observance sets you apart and makes you seem holier than others. It brings upon a person a feeling of elitism. I am not saying that this was the life of those that were questioning John, for here they could simply be trying to figure out what is going on and because of their questions, our God is using the words from John to help us better understand his role in being a forerunner of Jesus. He states that he "baptizes in water." Earlier in verse 7, the author stated of him, "He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him." And in verse 23, he says he is, "“I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord" as he echoes the words of Isaiah the prophet. 

Thus, he is a witness. He is testifying about the Light (the Word) so that all might believe through him. Him being the Light, the Word. He is a voice. He is baptizing. He wants to make straight the way of Jehovah (again, not sure in this moment if he is inferring that the Lord and Jesus are the same). 

And now John mentions "One." Thus far, we have seen the Word, the Light, Him, and now One.  

Looking on further at this text it is important to further look at the Pharisees. In Mark, we see a little more information about baptism. Mark 1:4 states, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." I've studied this passage previously and at the time felt like this was a baptism of preparation. That said, I must admit John coming to preach has never been an issue with me, but him baptism in anticipation of Jesus coming to an audience that is leaning on a promise or maybe does not have much information of him does seem a little baffling to me. And yet, maybe I struggle with this because I do not quite understand what it was like to leave at that time. 

The Pharisees obviously had heard of him baptizing. Jesus was living and on the scene and so John was getting people ready for Jesus. I do think that there is something significance about this act in testifying of the importance of an action to confirm faith. I do not believe baptism saves or is involved in saving, but it is obedience and action that is important. It is a visual picture of sins being forgiven. The Pharisees were into holiness but only holiness that they define, so they were leery of this and questioning it. 

And then to proclaim that John is not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandal is a way for John to express that he is of less value than a slave. John is a voice to people of the way of the Lord and yet He is not worthy to be this. So there is nothing about him baptizing. The person baptizing is not of importance. The baptism is what is important. 

I saw this statement here:

Jewish people in John’s day practiced baptism. It was an outgrowth of ceremonial washings, but only for Gentiles who wanted to become Jews. In submitting to John’s baptism, a Jew had to identify with Gentile converts. This was a genuine sign of repentance.

This says baptism is only for Gentiles to become Jews. And yet John is asking all to be baptized. Thus, the Jew would need to identify that they need to be baptized. 

Summary: John’s baptism demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. 

Promise: Whether we are speaking of Christ to our children, our neighbors, or anyone else, we should be declaring Him and what He has done, not promoting ourselves.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am still learning this lesson and there are still parts I am trying to understand more fully. Help me understand and put together the importance of John baptizing and what it meant. Lord, I pray that you would help me to value and encourage baptism. 

Ephesians 4:5 - One Baptism

Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Message: One Baptism

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: This lesson ends 8 lessons on the sacrament of baptism. I conclude so far that baptism is not salvific. It remains a sign of the covenant God made with His people to be separate and distinct from all of the people on the earth. The practice of it is required for every believer in Christ. I don't believe it is something that we can simply make an option, and it needs to be done soon after trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord or repenting of our sins. Because it is no salvific I think it can be done at any time in a person's life. Believing parents can have their children do this as a sign again of God's covenant and the father commissioning his family to serve the Lord. Peter did mention baptism for the remission of sins but I think this is a confirmation of that act that Jesus did on the cross and I do not think baptism saves a person from their sins. I think the act of baptism is very powerful and unites us with Christ and his death and resurrection. It provides the believer in Christ clear meaning of God regenerating His people for Himself and choosing them to be His. It is Spirit that purifies us but it is the act of baptism which also confirms this work of the Spirit. 

Today's verse remembers the oneness meaning that we have and the Unity which we possess. When Paul addresses unity to the Ephesians he remarks on:

One Body and One Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). 

It is noteworthy that baptism is included here. The words expressed here speak of unity. But they also speak of singularity. We do not have multiple bodies, but one. There are not multiple Spirits, but one. Our calling is by God and does not occur multiple times in regards to our salvation. And so does baptism occur multiple times? 

Tabletalk tells a story example of this and gives the idea that it is a one time thing as multiple baptisms give the idea of regeneration or salvation occurring multiple times. This is confirmed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The idea is baptism is about God and not for man necessarily and its validity is not after a profession of faith. 

I guess I don't mirror this stance. I think it can be once, but if the person feels like it is needed again, then this seems fine. Perhaps a pastor needs to share from the pulpit a message so as to not bring about confusion. Salvation is once. 

Summary: We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this. 

Promise: Salvation is entirely by God's grace. Water baptism does not regenerate us. But it provides a powerful picture of this and it is something we do out of obedience. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me through Your Word and helping me understand you better. I continue to define my faith and beliefs. Thank you for that process to learn. I pray that baptism will always glorify You and help us understand further you setting us aside. Help people in my life, in my family better understand the importance of this practice. Specifically, I pray for Brandon that you would help him see the need to be baptized. 

Genesis 17 - Baptism and Children

Genesis 17 - 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you, every male among you shall be circumcised...11...it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations...14 But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant. 

Message: Baptism and Children

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying: Well, this is a lesson I have been wanting to understand for some time. I have always wondered why infants are baptized. For me, a person growing up in a very Catholic heavy state of New Mexico, USA, baptism of infants was common, but later in my life, probably just 10 years ago in discovering the Reformed church and to found out that noted scholars such as RC Sproul also signed on to and agreed with infant baptism has been startling to me. And honestly I had never really taken the time to try to understand their position. 

Today's lesson states that while this issue is controversial today or rather there is clear opposition for it, 500 years ago, at the time of the Reformation while there may have been differences in theology, Anglicans, Lutherans and Reformers all agreed that baptism can be administered to those who profess faith and their children. 

I started to understand this as I did the lesson before the last when Paul showed the similarity between circumcision and baptism. In that lesson and seeing that baptism is really the new testament circumcision it made me think that infant baptism is in line with circumcision of the past. And the first point being that if circumcision occurred both before and after a person made a belief in God then this would mean baptism, if it has a link to circumcision is a sacrament that could be administered either before or after a person is saved or regenerated. 

In today's passage, this act of circumcision was given to Israel to speak of a sign of the covenant between God and man. It was something that happened to all the members of a family chosen by God. It was not for pagans but for his chosen people or nation. I am reminded of that verse from Joshua 24:15 which ends with, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Perhaps that idea of the leader of the family making the statement that his house will serve the Lord means that children are to be included in this sign of regeneration. Acts 16:15 also records the statement, "And when she and her household had been baptized" which gives the idea that the children were included in baptism.  

Many think that if the new testament does not repeat something from the old Testament then it doesn't apply, but what if rather the Old Testament begins the standard and unless the New Testament speaks otherwise then the ways of the Old Testament remain? It is possible it would seem. 

Think about Matthew 5:17-20 -- 

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

If Christ did not abolish the Law but fulfill it and we are not to annul its commands but rather continue to teach them. 

This is an interesting perspective. It is way different from how I have been raised and taught to think. This doesn't nullify baptism by immersion at an older age when someone is converted for the first time, but it does give the idea that baptism by a child is because the Christian household is commissioned toward Christ and it is a sign of regeneration to all. 

Summary: Baptism can include children of a believing parent to provide evidence of the sign of regeneration for the entire family. 

Promise: To baptize only those who have professed faith may run the risk of making baptism more about our response to God than about God's initiative to saving us. 

Prayer: God, thank you for continuing to teach me through Your Word and helping me better understand the meaning of your word and how it is applied, yet in many different ways by people all called by you and part of the visible church. Yet, Lord, there seems to be only one way and yet different takes on what that one way is, which seems to be normal. Help me to be one that hones in You and always affirms You as My Savior and Lord. Give me continued wisdom. Thank you for where you have placed me but also allowing me to see and understand Your Word in its different applications. Continue to confirm yourself to Me and draw Me closer to you. Show me how I am to respond. 

Acts 10:44-48 - Baptism and Time

Acts 10:44-48 - 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who save received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Message: Baptism and Time

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God. 

What the Lord is Saying: In these verses, my first observations are that the Holy Spirit fell upon these people and so the Holy Spirit is speaking truth. There were tongues heard and in this exalting God. And Peter orders those who have received the Holy Spirit to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts, I also notice that Peter is often the one connecting with baptism. 

In the previous lesson Paul made a connection between baptism and circumcision. The question then that just as circumcision did not save anyone, perhaps baptism is the same way. For the life of the Old Testament believer, the moment of regeneration could occur before or after the act of circumcision. Abraham believed God before circumcision while Isaac's faith came about when he was older. 

Tabletalk authors argue then that although baptism is often prescribed following a person's faith as in today's passage in Acts and we should have an urgency for people to be baptized, regeneration of the Christian can occur earlier or even after a person is baptized. 

Summary: Is baptism a new covenant sacrament and regeneration the same today as it was with circumcision in the old covenant? The idea here is that since regeneration occurred separate from circumcision, then with baptism this is also so. 

Promise: God does not always regenerate people at the time of baptism. We need to pray that all who are baptized are regenerated. 

Prayer: God, is baptism and circumcision the same? I do see that regeneration did not occur at the time of circumcision, so is this true today for baptism. I do see many examples in Acts of baptism happening right after regeneration or repentance. So does this mean they are tied together like many churches teach or is separate. It still seems to me that you will save people no matter what and that salvation has not changed throughout history. But, I pray that you would continue to illuminate me and give me patience for those with different convictions. 

Colossians 2:11-12 - Baptism and Circumcision

Colossians 2:11-12 - And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  

Message: Baptism and Circumcision

Time: Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church in AD 60-61 during his first imprisonment in Rome after the church was under attack and denigrating the deity of Christ. He penned it before visiting the church. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible God, containing within Himself the fullness of Deity. 

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to study baptism and it has been a joy. I appreciate these lessons and how each of them communicate something and I continue to build an understanding. Initially as I read this text in Colossians, the first thing that stands out to me is the words "without hands." Thus the circumcision wasn't an actual circumcision but a sign that occurred. My flesh, my old life, my old nature was cut away and removed by Christ. How was this done? By what I studied in the last lesson - I was "buried with Him in baptism." And then also I was "raised up with Him through faith." What? I was hoping it was going to say my raising up occurred with the baptism but instead it says it occurred through faith. And faith is "the working of God, who raised Him (Jesus) from the dead." Once again, a loaded text. 

God raised Jesus from the dead. I joined Jesus in baptism. Faith is the working of God. Circumcision is not a physical but something done without hands. Okay - this is my observation of this text. 

According to Tabletalk writers, this verse in Colossians communicates that in the Old Covenant there was circumcision and now in the new covenant there is baptism. And so they are to work the same way - done to infants. In both, people are set aside to be God's children. Circumcision did not save and nor does baptism, but they both point to the need for regeneration. People must be circumcised to inherit the kingdom of God and so baptism now works the same way. 

So I think I am understanding this belief now that the reformers have in infant baptism. Maybe it is not mandatory at a young age only, but it can occur at a young age just as it can occur later. 

For me, I think there is a parallel picture given here between circumcision of the Old Covenant and baptism of the new covenant. For circumcision -- "in the removal of the body of the flesh." Circumcision showed the sign of the removal of the flesh or God setting aside his people to be his. He consecrates His People for His Purpose. He removes their flesh. And with baptism in the New Testament is the same setting aside. But in water, it is "having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith." And so in baptism we have been buried with Christ, as we looked in the previous lesson (Romans 6:4) and raised up with Him through faith. Both are pictures of the new life we have. 

Summary: Both circumcision and baptism are signs of the new life we have with God in Christ -- having been set apart from all the world to Him. 

Promise: Both with circumcision and baptism, people must repent and believe in order to be of God's people and of eternal salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, you continue to take me on a journey about baptism and I hope I am coming to a better conclusion about it. You are using this sacrament to confirm your people as your people. As you used circumcision in the past, baptism is used today. But people must repent and believe. Thank you for these truths and Lord I do trust you for you have a plan that I can trust. I do trust in You. 

Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism and Union with Christ

Romans 6:3-4 - 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

Message: Baptism and Union with Christ

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: I have studied this passage before. When I studied the book of Romans in 2014 I looked at this passage. I noted that the first five chapters of Roman were about doctrine -- getting lost and that we are all sinners and only Christ can make us clean -- and then starting in chapter 6 moving to application. Similar to circumcision, baptism is an ordinance that we must do. The saved person should not have a desire for sin any longer. A change has occurred and there is a change in our thinking but there is also a change in our actions. The change in our thinking show first to others by our being baptized. This baptism shows that we are in Christ and it shows others that we are a new creation. It shows others our willingness to be obedient to Him. As the water covers our entire body we have an entire body commitment to Him. 

This passage even mentions the words that we mention when someone is baptized -- walk in newness of life. We are testifying that our lives will be lived in a different way. 

But in these verses it also expresses baptism being a unity with Christ. We baptized into his death. Christ lived and died but in baptism we join with him in the death. So something happens here that is more than simply an act of obedience. We are united with Christ. I definitely didn't recognize this when I got baptized but I did get baptized and so this did occur in my life. And then as Christ was raised, we too. We became new creatures. I immediately also think that a person cannot lose their salvation. A true Christian is raised to walk in newness of life with Christ. Our life is new. We are born again. This isn't something that can be lost. Again because we are united with Christ. 

The Westminster Confession does offer some interesting words in 28.6:

The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.

Maybe this is the reason the reformers believe that baptism is apt for those even as infants because this divine grace is conferred upon the elect. And maybe it is okay to get this out of the way as there is the recognition that grace is conferred at his appointed time. Not sure. 

In my previous study of Romans, by the time I arrive at Chapter 6 a person is already saved if the life of a Christian is seen in the light of the chronology of the book. In Chapter 4 my faith is counted as righteousness. My having faith resulted in this credit having occurred. And this faith also made me an heir to His Kingdom. And therefore I am justified before Him. So is this theory or did having faith already make this happen and now baptism in Chapter 6 speaks of how I live. I live without sin reigning in me any longer. I am dead to sin in verse 6:2 - How shall we who died to sin still live in it? And so therefore these words we are studying today speak to what has occurred or the picture of baptism that has occurred rather than the actual act of baptism. So maybe this passage really isn't a proclamation to be baptized but that now that I am a person that has had faith and grace has been conferred upon me, baptism shows me this picture of being buried and being raised in newness of life. And so from that point it does not matter then when baptism has occurred. And maybe this is the reason it can be done as infants. There is no saving power in baptism but rather it is the picture of the change that has occurred in the elect. 

I am not entirely sure. I continue to move on this journey of studying baptism and what it means. 

Summary: Baptism gives us a sign but in being baptized there also occurs a mystery - union with Christ in his death and resurrection. 

Promise: Look to the waters of baptism as proof that you have died to sin and have been raised with Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, this learning of baptism remains a learning. At times, I start to feel closer to the meaning of it and then at other times I still feel like I have a ways to go in understanding it. In it, is it only a picture of do you confer something on me when it occurs. You clearly are using baptism to show me something but it also seems to be doing something in me - uniting me to You. At the minimum, a change has occurred in me. And the life of those who are in Christ are different. My old way of living is now just that, the old way, and in Christ I am a new creation. May it be that simple. That is a simple application but the deeper theology around this act continues to make me ponder. Keep illuminating me with the words of scripture. Thank you for people in my life that help me to understand you.  

Acts 2:38 - Baptism and Forgiveness

Acts 2:38 - Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Message: Baptism and Forgiveness

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: I am enjoying taking a deeper dive into these studies on baptism and its significance as a sacrament. As I have studied in the last 2 lessons -- Baptism is commanded in Scripture following conversion and it is to be instituted in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, but the method can be any form with water over the person. Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation. For me in these studies, there needs to be a strong emphasis on baptism and its work before God in 3 persons and then being regenerated as a Called One of Christ. It is true that not everyone that is baptized will be part of the kingdom of God but this should not diminish the act of baptism. Baptism needs to be important in the life of the believer, of the person being regenerated. I think it needs to be something that each person that has made a decision to follow Christ does. In the previous lesson it speaks of how there is change in that person or a renewal. 

In today's passage it speaks of the forgiveness of sins. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith speaks of Baptism in 28.1. 

Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God through Jesus Christ, to walk in the newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world.

Thus, there remains this close relationship between a person repenting and then being baptized. Acts 2:38 states that baptism follows repentance. "Repent and be baptized..." Thus, before one is baptized they repent of their sins.  

There are places in scripture that speak of salvation into the Kingdom of God that do not speak of baptism. I understand now that this does not mean that Baptism is not necessary, but I think repentance is the first key to our lives. It is the commitment and the act to turn oneself from sin and run towards Christ. We repent and then as we do baptism assures us that God has cleansed us from our sin and forgiven us. Thus, baptism gives us confirmation of God cleansing us. 

I definitely have not thought of baptism in this way in my life. I have heard some say it is necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Yet, what it seems to be that we repent and turn from sin and then baptism confirms our forgiveness of sin. A baptized person can be a saved person, but a non-baptized person can still be a saved person and a baptized person can be an unsaved person. I am still not sure it is a requirement but it is very important and with the language about it being so prevalent in scripture, I think it is something that needs to be present in the life of every believer. It is not something to shy away from. 

For me, I believe a person can be complete in Christ following repentance but still it is a command and we need to follow through on baptism to the best of our ability, as soon as we can. I think a person can be complete because of so many instances of this in Scripture. And yet baptism needs to be present in the life of a follower of Christ.  

The Westminster Confession acknowledges that baptism can occur with an infant. I don't understand this thinking. This doesn't seem to be a valid form of baptism, but the reformers I know agree with this thinking.  

I'm still struggling with this. I also think that well Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. He forgives sin often in the Gospels. But forgiveness by people always was in the form of people acting. In the Old Testament, people would sacrifice animals. They carried out an act. In the New Testament people are baptized. And so people have this responsibility to act. As people we need to see these outward signs of our commitment to Him. But let's not get caught up in thinking that doing these acts saves people.  

Summary: People who have repented need to be baptized. It confirms their new birth to the visible church.  

Promise: The water of your baptism is God's unbreakable promise to you to forgive you when you repent. But it is the Spirit that cleanses us. God cleanses us. Baptism reminds us in a visual way to the visible church God's promise to cleanse and forgive. 

Prayer: Lord, this subject is one that I continue to struggle with in understand. Perhaps it is the way some people share it with me - with such authority that if a person is not baptized then they are not saved. And yet on the flip side I struggle with it that maybe it is too much of an afterthought. You have given us words that speak of its importance and so Lord help me to be one that confirms its practice. Right now, I'm thinking of my son-in-law Brandon and him sharing to me that he has not been baptized. Help me to encourage him in this. And continue to give me wisdom and guidance as I have future conversations about this with others. 

Matthew 28:18-20 - The Institution of Baptism

Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Message: The Institution of Baptism

Time: The date of Matthew's composition is anywhere from 55-60 AD probably in Antioch of Syria, written by Matthew, the former tax collector, and one of the 12 disciples or apostles. The writing is most likely to the Jews. His purpose was to show them that Jesus of Nazareth was the expected messiah and both his genealogy and his resurrection were legitimate proofs of this.

What the Lord is Saying: During the Reformation, as the Protestants studied scripture they believed that the churches only sacraments are to be the Lord's Supper and Baptism. The defining factor was that they had been instituted by Christ. 

As Jesus prepared to ascend into heaven He spoke of the great commission, the giving of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people and in the process of seeing people coming to faith and becoming His disciples He stated that baptism should occur among people in the name of the triune God: Father, Son and Spirit. Therefore, churches today need to prioritize baptism and as we do this we need to be clear in it being in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. 

Baptism allows us time to teach of the importance of God in three persons. John Calvin comments on Matthew 28:18-20, "We perceive that God cannot be truly known, unless our faith distinctly conceived of Three Persons in one essence; and that the fruit and efficacy of baptism proceed form God the Father adopting us through His Son, and after having cleansed us from the pollutions of the flesh through the Spirit, creating us anew to righteousness." 

Also, the Greek word for baptism does not give mention of a specific mode for baptism - as such immersion, dipping, pouring, sprinkling, or any other means of applying water are lawful. 

In my life I have always been in churches that upheld immersion baptism. And this baptism often occurred at the request of the individual as part of their obedience. I think these churches believe this is the only way and I think this is fine to have these convictions. And yet it is also possible I think for others to have different convictions about other ways people are baptized. 

I was baptized after attending a Disciple Now (a weekend church retreat for youth in which 10-15 young people gathered in a person's home for bible study and fellowship) that occurred after I became a Christian in 1982. I think my baptism occurred in 1984 or 1985. I don't remember, but I remember who performed it: a man by the name of Jim Brooks who led a retreat I attended that weekend not far from my house. My regret in life was not letting my mother know that the baptism was occurring and she showed up for church after it had happened. That is one of many regrets I have in regards to my mom and my failure to include her and be included in her life. 

Summary: Baptism is commanded in Scripture following conversion and it is to be instituted in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, but the method can be any form with water over the person. 

Promise: If a baptism is not administered in the triune name of God, it is invalid. This is a new covenant baptism. 

Prayer: O Father God, you are Holy and good and true. Your Name is above all other names. You have given us baptism as a command. We witnessed you Jesus being baptized and now we are to do the same and also do it in the name of God, Son, and Spirit. Thank you for placing me in environments that have always prioritized this and I pray your Church would continue to uphold this. Work in me continually Lord to strengthen the Body of Christ and encourage this as well. 

I Peter 3:18-22 - The Sign and the Thing Signified

I Peter 3:18-22 - 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Message: The Sign and the Thing Signified

Time: Peter wrote to a group of people that probably included Jews and Christians at the time of probably AD 64, as the persecution of Christians by Nero was ramping up. It is thought Peter spent his final years in Rome. Peter calls people to root themselves in the perseverance and presence of Christ. 

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous lesson, I saw that sacraments are signs that point to something else and convey promises of God. They are specific rites or acts that are performed or carried out to reveal truth and set people apart from those in the world. 

In a somewhat mysterious way, God works through them to accomplish His purposes. God has in His mercy in history shown mercy to a remnant of people. He bestows grace therefore on certain people. And this grace occurs through faith. We often express this in our services of the Lord's Supper when we state it is a time for believers to partake and those visiting or those who are not of the faith of Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives are not to partake. 

Somewhat unlike the Lord's Supper, baptism has stronger language that gives the idea of it being salvific. There are verses in the Bible that seem to state that Baptism saves. In Acts there is frequent mention of this like in Acts 2:38 when Peter says to be "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" and yet even in this verse I can see how someone could mean that baptism signifies or is the visible sign someone has received for having faith. We know countless other examples of salvation in which baptism is not mentioned. And then also here in these verses of I Peter 3:21 in which he says, "baptism now saves you." I must admit having struggled with these words as compared to the Body of Scripture on salvation. And that struggle has come most often in discussions with those that worship with the Church of Christ who hold that Baptism is the instrument that is needed by every person in order to be saved (In my conversations one thing I've heard from them is there are different ways God saved people - one way during Old Testament times, another way while Jesus walked this earth and then another way once Jesus ascended to heaven, the later being the time when Baptism was prescribed. This is where I struggle because I see all of scripture either pointing forward or back to Christ and I think in all situations God has asked us to receive Him by faith and then following this our faith responds with acts of obedience and I see baptism as one of those acts albeit a very important one that should follow faith soon after). 

In today's passage I focus on two possible contrasting thoughts - verse 18 states that Christ after dying for sinners brings us to God. So this is God choosing man for salvation, God through his life, death, and resurrection brings people to God by faith, making them alive by the Spirit. And then Peter speaks a lesson of God proclaiming to the spirits in prison, once disobedient, but then God brought them to safety through water and then Peter states that the water baptism saves. 

What Tabletalk explains is:

• Peter connects the salvation conferred in baptism with the salvation conferred to Noah's family in the flood.
• Not all of Noah's family experience salvation as Ham was later cursed by the Lord (Gen. 9:18-25; was he cursed by God or Noah?)
• So we can conclude that like the flood that saved people, not all people that receive baptism will be saved. 
• Yet the admonition that baptism saves you give the impression that grace is so closely connected to baptism.  

And maybe that is the point right now, that there is a close union between the sacraments and salvation and therefore we can conclude in their importance and as we observe them they have a special relation or union that helps confirm a person's life in Christ. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith 27.2 states, "There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing specified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other." 

Perhaps what is going on here is we can see salvation in a person through the act of baptism. We can't see into a person's heart, but baptism helps us see this in a person. 

Summary: There remains an importance in participating in the sacraments. And in this participation a union or relation between the sign and the thing signified. 

Promise: Scripture frequently describes the sacraments as accomplishing certain things without telling us how they do so. Yet, in this accomplishment we have careful rendering of those acts lest we fall into error. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the Word of God. I admit God that at times it is a mystery to me in the relationship between me and the blessing in which you have conferred upon me. Lord, if one thing is clear it is my obedience and that I am to take seriously these acts in my life. Lord, help me be a person that upholds this and gets not so much focused on the language but on the results. Thank you for baptism and being able to witness it even yesterday in Andrew's life at church as well as the other people that were baptized. Thank you for the richness it yields and being able to see salvation itself through it. Keep shedding light into my life and thank you Spirit for always working in me. 

Romans 4:11a - Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace

Romans 4:11a - and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised.

Message: Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: Today's lesson title describes one definition of the term sacrament and now I move to a new set of lessons on sacraments. This is a word that is not familiar to me and is not something that I have learned growing up in a Baptist church. In my last lesson on Worship, I had a lesson on Sacraments in Worship and in that lesson I looked at the history of this word "Sacraments" and how it came to be defined both by the Reformers (Protestants) and the Catholics which seem to be the two main body of religious people during the 16th century. 

Sacraments was clearly a controversial subject not only between Protestants and Catholics but even between the Protestants today. And this seems to be one of the reasons we have different denominations because of how we have defined this interpretations and churches. Even a church known as the Church of Christ who state they are non-denominational are a church that hold to specific sacraments. 

Thus, this new series of lesson will focus on the Reformers view of sacraments and what they are and what they look like or should look like in our lives and churches today. As Tabletalk records:

In contrast to some traditions that view the sacraments as mere memorials and testimonies, traditional Reformed theology affirms that the sacraments convey the promises and grace of God to the elect, but in contrast to Roman Catholicism, traditional Reformed theology understands the efficacy of the sacraments as rooted in the work of the Spirit and faith, not the actual performance of the sacramental rites. 

Interesting words here and lots to unpack. 

First with the definition. The English word sacrament comes from Latin. And the root of the word is the same as the meaning of "holy" or "consecrate." As such, sacraments are holy mysteries. But this mystery is not an unknown as it is a means to reveal truth. They are specific rites or acts to reveal truth and set God's people apart from the world. Baptism, the Lord's Supper and even preaching are sacraments. 

In today's verse, Romans 4:11a, Paul remembers the old covenant sacrament of circumcision. And he states that what this sacrament of circumcision did was describe a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised. So circumcision was a physical representation of an inward decision or faith. It was an outward sign of that which occurred on the inside. It revealed to people what had occurred on the inside. It is a visible mark that God owns us. 

Thus, these sacraments and the practice of them become a representation to the outside world that we belong to God. Obviously, not everyone who practices the sacraments is a true representative or part of the remnant (Jeremiah 23:3), but it is meant to be a mark of the visible church. 

I think of tattoo's and the prominent place they now have in our world. I have a co-worker that has several tattoo's on her body to chronicle in this permanent way a remembrance of her brother who died and also her kids. When seeing these tattoo's therefore there is no doubt or should be no doubt of what has occurred with her on the inside. My son-in-law has a tattoo on his arm of a nail cross that relays his commitment to Christ and my daughter has also added these tattoo's, though small of a cross and also a New Mexico symbol. They are not ashamed therefore in these ways to press something on their bodies permanently to express who they are or the truth that they want to convey to others. Signs point beyond themselves to something else. 

In my life, what do I show others - my life, my words but also a baptism and the Lord's Supper observance but also other avenues of my life. 

Summary: Sacraments are signs that point beyond themselves to something else and convey the promises of grace and God. 

Promise: For those who believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation, justification, and sanctification, the sacraments provide further confirmation that God cleanses us and nourishes us in Christ. 

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for this lesson and these truths about sacraments and revealing to me an understanding of this. I definitely know this has been a subject that has divided many people that are part of Your fold, Your remnant. Lord, give me understanding and help me to understand this subject and what it means to my life as a follower of Yours. Thank you for the truth of Your Word and I pray Holy Spirit that You would continue to reveal truth to me through these times that I have in Your Word and that I would listen and that I would obey. 

Acts 2:42 - Sacraments in Worship

Acts 2:42 - They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Message: Sacraments in Worship

Time: Clearly written by Luke, this book follows the lives of Peter and then Paul after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The book was completed about 62 AD as Paul sat in prison. It provides an account of the growth of the Church and spread from Jerusalem, from a small group of frightened believers in Jerusalem transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and it should help us to be bold and have zeal in our walks with God.

What the Lord is Saying: An initial thought here is thinking that those groups that want to pattern themselves off of the early church often don't realize that the scripture of the early church was often the Old Testament scriptures. So they would have been teaching of the Old Testament scriptures by the apostles as well as new revelation given by Christ. My guess is the sermon on the Mount was probably a big part of that teaching since it is probably the message that Jesus repeated the most. 

This verse in Acts mentions that the church devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship. And also breaking of bread and to prayer. Even today, we want to mirror these practices. And yet I wonder if there becomes a desire by many to group these practices into almost a checklist of things that must be done by participants when people gather. I think checklist Christianity is a big concern because it becomes more about doing the checklist than exploring the relationship with Jesus. 

A couple of days ago I gave a ride to Albuquerque from Durango an engaged couple after I attended a wedding with them. As we discussed things, the gal asked me about the difference between Methodist and Baptist. It was an interesting question and one in which I found myself being stumped answering. From her perspective, having grown up attending non-denominational churches, she really did not understand the different between the two churches or beliefs and I found that I struggled in explaining it. 

And yet each of the denominations we have (Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc.) is really a product of a group of people that have come together to agree on a structure of how the Bible is to be applied and lived out and how worship is to be conducted each time people gather for worship -- after the reformation. I mention that because it seems that this idea of the application of sacraments is a chief reason for those different manifestations of churches or different denominations. Even those that call themselves non-denominations come together to agree upon something.

I referred to my Oxford Dictionary on the subject of Sacrament. It is a term not found in the Bible - but by the 3rd century was being used to describe baptism and the Lord's Supper or Eucharist. Later in the 16th century, at a time when the Reformation was occurring and Protestantism was becoming more prominent - the Council of Trent of 1564 defined 7 sacraments. The Council of Trent was the formal Roman Catholic reply to the doctrinal challenges of the Reformation.  These sacraments are Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Marriage. Again, hopefully the practice of these is not simply to perform a checklist but rather to experience the relation or encounter between God and human beings. 

As I personally think of these sacraments in my life and how I maybe grew up performing them (attending a Baptist church most of the time the emphasis was on baptism and Lord's Supper) - for me these acts represented an identification of my union with Christ - baptism and the Lord's Supper was an identification or union with Christ's death and resurrection. Baptism was a one time experience whereas the Lord's Supper was more often. Currently, I am content in this. Also, for both of these they are done in community  - with others and with Christ. There is a community testimony of sorts that occurs. I'm not sure if I see a problem with expanding these acts if churches have more of them as long as they remain an experience to identify with Christ and other believers. 

I do not think these are requirements of salvation, but I also think they are things the Christian would want to do as they encounter God. 

Summary: In our sacraments, we worship God, encountering God as we identify with Christ. At a minimum these acts should include baptism and Lord's Supper. 

Promise: Sacraments are public ordinances and we participate in them rightly in the context of public worship. 

Prayer: God, I come to You even in prayer to have community with You, to acknowledge You as God and my need for You daily and your help in my life. Thank you for this. Lord, you have clearly instituted ways in which we encounter You as we gather together - acts that we do together - such as baptism and the Lord's Supper. In these Lord are ways to come together and worship You and encounter You as both a Body and as individuals. Thank you for making these significant in our lives - to show us we are not alone and that we are about being a 'together' people. Give me patience as I come in contact with those that perhaps take a different perspective on these or have a greater emphasis on some items. Lord, keep us in communion with You and let these acts not simply be a checklist to perform in thinking doing them alone is what is needed. Keep helping me understand this Lord. I praise You. 

Matthew 28:18-20 - Administering Sacraments

Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Message: Administering Sacraments

Time: Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, is credited with this book, despite the fact that he did not sign it. Dating it's writing is difficult, but most agree it to be AD 60-65 since it does not mention the destruction of the temple in AD 70. A Jew, he includes 50 direct citations and many other indirect citations from the Old Testament. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

The text today from Matthew 28, that was looked at in the previous lesson in which I focused on the idea of teaching and observing all that Christ commands which means teaching and observing the Word of God in its entirety -- now also mentions the importance of baptism -- Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them. And then also prior to his death on the cross, Christ emphasized the Lord's Supper. In I Corinthians 11:26 Paul emphasizes that we are to do the Lord's Supper often. Thus, it is clear that in addition to the faithful preaching of the Word of God, there are also practices or acts or sacraments that the church needs to be involved in regularly observing and leading the congregation and the other church people doing. I believe it is clear that sacraments are needed and a part of church life. 

Yesterday, when I mentioned teaching the Word of God faithfully, I did not mention all of the various ways in which I think this is done in the Church. In the same way, sacraments is also varied in what different churches emphasize as the sacraments. It would seem from this lesson in Tabletalk, which is overseen and written by Ligonier, that at the minimum churches need to be practicing the Lord's Supper and baptism. 

I saw this comment from Charles Simeon (1759-1836), a theologian associated with the Church of England:

So say I of baptism and of the Lord’s Supper: “In their proper and appointed use they cannot be too highly valued: but, if abused to purposes for which they were not given, and looked to as containing in themselves, and conveying of themselves, salvation to man, they are desecrated.”

Now, in this comment, it seems he is saying that while important and highly valued, baptism and the Lord's Supper should not be seen as salvific. And yet this is where the Roman Catholic Church resides. I saw this article that states: "The Divine Salvific Offer is Based on the Interrelationship between Faith and Sacraments." And this comment from Basil the Great, a bishop born in Turkey, living in Asia Minor from 330-379 stating:

Faith and baptism are, however, two mutually inherent and inseparable modes of salvation, for faith is in fact perfected through baptism, and baptism, for its part, is founded through faith, and both attain their fullness through the same names. For as we believe in the Father, in the Son and in the Holy Spirit, so we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And certainly the confession of faith goes forward, which introduces us into salvation, but baptism follows, which seals our assent.

Thus, the differences are clear. While both emphasize the importance of baptism and the Lord's Supper, there are clear differences in how they are applied in the church and meant to be viewed toward an individual's salvation. And then Roman Catholicism has 7 sacraments and other churches and denominations also have certain beliefs about these sacraments that they are to be defined a certain way. 

So what is my conclusion? I believe they are necessary and valued, but overall in Scripture it seems incompatible to say they are necessary for salvation and yet they are necessary and important and need to be observed. I think there are scripture that can infer that they may be salvific, but again, overall the reading and observation of scripture does not speak that they are in conjunction with salvation. And then as I watch and look at Jesus and what He spoke about and said, it seems that salvation is by faith alone and even more salvation is a gift from God and man once he is called has no choice but to respond in faith. Now, it could be said that once called man has not a choice to also practice the sacraments and in the many different ways that they are instituted. That is possible. I suppose this is an area in which the focus needs to be on the heart. 

As is mentioned in Psalm 51, it is God that creates in me a clean heart and it is Him that restores to me the joy of my salvation and He delivers me and He is my salvation. To me it is all Him and yet following and practicing will happen. James speaks of works and Paul speaks of works. Yet, the works are automatic in the life of the one that is called and I don't believe the works even as they include these sacraments are salvific. 

Summary: Part of a church's mission and belonging to a church is participating in and doing sacraments and instituting the Lord's Supper and believers following through with baptism are the minimum and yet neither are salvific. 

Promise: Sacraments need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Your word and its teaching. Lord, it seems normal and yet I wish it wasn't so at times that there is some much variation in our lands of these ordinances and what is emphasized and what is taught as being associated with salvation. Because this variation often results in division and differences and in our land today, those feelings are already high in matters not directly associated with the church's mission. So I pray Lord that you would heal your land and you would conform people to Your Word. I pray that we would be a people of the heart and even in our differences, we would show respect and not strong emotions of dividing or even war. May you be glorified in all that we do and say and my Your name continue to be proclaimed. And as we do these works which I believe normally follow our faith filled lives, may you help me do them for your glory and remember the meaning of them as I do them. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God.

Matthew 3:13-15 - Obedience in Baptism

Matthew  3:13-15

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 

Message: Obedience in Baptism

Time: Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, is credited with this book, despite the fact that he did not sign it. Dating it's writing is difficult, but most agree it to be AD 60-65 since it does not mention the destruction of the temple in AD 70. A Jew, he includes 50 direct citations and many other indirect citations from the Old Testament. 

What the Lord is Saying:

In this study of Christ Alone, Christ alone saves, we have studied that Jesus is the God incarnate creator, has a human nature, is the last Adam, is the True Israel, Messiah or God's anointed, rescuing or delivering us from the discord between God and Man, and always obeyed His Father and never failed, discharging our debt before God and paying the penalty for our sins. 

Man is saved by being made clean. Cleanliness before God has always been an expectation, from Old Testament days to now. The Law included many specific instructions for someone that was unclean. Not being clean separated one from the community. A leper, for example, had to get special permission from the priest to re-enter the City, once clean (Mark 1:40-45). 

Priests had to be ritually clean to serve at the tabernacle. Exodus 30 speaks of a laver that priests had to wash their hands and feet prior to making an offering. Leviticus 15 talks about discharges a man or woman may make and the need to be completely clean, bathing one's entire body. And then when the temple was built, a mikveh (ritual bath) was used for everyone to get ritually clean prior to entering. So immersions at the time of Jesus were common.  

Jeremiah 17:13 says, "O Lord, the hope (mikveh) of Israel, all who forsake Thee will be put to shame, those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord." Mikveh in the Strong's Concordance is a pond, a gathering together. Thus, the text is saying those who turn away from the mikveh or gathering together of Israel will be put to shame. And says the Lord is the fountain of living water. 

When asked about baptism or immersion, Jesus responded that it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Active obedience refers to Jesus keeping the law of God, perfectly, on our behalf - obeying every statute the Lord gave to humanity. In other words, Jesus was saying here that in addition, to keeping the Law of God, John had prescribed that baptism was needed for each new believer. Though Jesus did not need to be baptized, the baptism is a command and His doing it continues to complete the process of fulfilling all righteousness. In addition, Jesus was aligning Himself with those He came to save, by doing the same that was asked. Thus, at baptism, Jesus began His journey as our substitute.

Promise: We are called to obey every command God has given us, but only the obedience of Christ can secure our salvation. Our obedience is an expression of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for taking me to this understanding of the baptism and the washing and cleaning that was needed for the Jew as well. Thank you Jesus for doing the same that you ask of me and practicing what you have asked me to practice in being baptized. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- The Divine Nature of Christ, The Human Nature of Christ, Jesus the Last Adam, Jesus the True Israel, Jesus the Messiah, Obedience in Childhood, Obedience in Baptism

Titus 3:4-7 - The Grace of Justification

Titus 3:4-7
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Message: The Grace of Justification

Time: Paul is the self-identified writer of Titus. Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle’s release from his first Roman imprisonment. The doctrine of the incarnation in the letter to Titus grounds its message of producing right living through the careful attention to theological truth.

What the Lord is Saying:

Man's condition is fallen. The plumbline of man's condition is therefore bent on not pleasing God, but rather pleasing self. This is the norm of man. Man may try in his lifetime to better himself in all manners of ways but in the end he remains a sinner. That God chooses us to be redeemed or set free from this fallen condition is something God does for His reason not because of some special way He sees in us. God is the potter and we are lumps of clay and He forms us out of his desire, not because he sees something unique in the clay. Others he does not call and instead leaves them to pursue the life they lead that is not pleasing to God. Their hearts are hardened towards God, separated, against God. God gives His called ones the gifts of faith and repentance. Since all of this is God's doing, when He makes us free it is as if our position in heaven is a done deal. He seats us in the heavenly places not in the future, but as of today. So, this redemption does not come and go. It cannot be lost.

It cannot be overstated that faith plus anything is not grace. In Paul's letters to the Galatians he spends that entire book confronting the doctrine that is misleading many people and that is that man shares in the making of oneself brand new, that our good deeds yield this salvation, along with Jesus dying on the cross. But this is impossible. Once again, the fallen condition of man is incapable of becoming the righteousness of God.

Titus 3:7 says being justified by His grace meaning justification is entirely grace. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy. 

Paul to Titus takes a moment to explain what this looks like in the life of a believer. He says is seen through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word here for washing is laver. A laver is a basin or a pan for cooking; it is the sacred wash-bowl of the temple and tabernacle. It contained water wherewith the priests washed their hands and feet when they entered the tabernacle. In the temple there were ten lavers used for the sacrifices. In the Greek this passage is rendered the laver of regeneration. Thus, baptism shows to us, to all, the change that has taken place. The person is made clean. Our strength to be look more and more like Christ each day comes about through the renewing by the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says - Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

I do not think in my life I properly give credit to the Holy Spirit for being the one that renews my life every day. But, the believer has the Holy Spirit renewing their life day by day. New things have come. The change in a believer's life is evident because of the work of the Holy Spirit in that person's life.

And following this rebirth, the regeneration, this saving by grace is the hope that we will spend eternity with God. being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. His grace means permits us to hope that we shall live with him forever. An heir does not earn eternal life. An heir receives because of the choosing of the one that is in charge. Paul once again, asserts through talking of eternal life that it is not of our own doing. It is entirely of God. We are made heirs.

Promise: This word of God is so beautiful for it asserts over and over that our salvation is by grace. It is seen through baptism, the outward sign of our regeneration and then the Holy Spirit renews us day by day. And our future hope is secured because God has made us heirs not owners but heirs of eternal life. We completely honor the Lord Jesus Christ in upholding justification by grace alone.

Prayer: O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. I declare that God is great, not man. I am saved by your grace. I am made new not because of me, but because of You. Day by day you are renewing me Holy Spirit. Thank you for the promise that I too am a heir of eternal life. God you are so good, even calling you good sounds trite but it is the best my words can come up with. How great you are God. How Great You Are.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about salvation by grace alone. March was about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January is about the doctrine of God.