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. 

John 3:5 - Baptism and Regeneration

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Message: Baptism and Regeneration

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John is the "born again" chapter as Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, about the works that He has been performing and Nicodemus has heard about. Nicodemus wants more information and so Jesus provides it mentioning His central message that every person must be born again and on the heels of making this statement, emphasizing the importance of being born of water and the Spirit. This is a must to enter the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the dominion of being among the Called Ones of Christ for all eternity, on earth among the Body of Christ, and in heaven, as sealed ones for eternity with God. 

Thus, we need to emphasize always the importance of baptism. Recently, I had a conversation with a Muslim man and in the conversation as we started to examine scripture he mentioned that Muslims only recognize the Gospel of Matthew and do not recognize Luke, John, or Mark. It makes sense because as I read these words from John and how they clarify further the Gospel of Jesus Christ it seems that people would want to figure out a way to get around this type of thinking so that it would not be applicable to them. It is language that speaks of complete devotion to Jesus and Jesus alone and this is not a doctrine of Muslim teaching. 

This particular mentioning of being affected by water and the Spirit may not at the time have meant the same baptism that we see today. It is hard to say. Jesus had previously been baptized. John could be simply connecting some sort of change in a person in which water, as well as the Spirit of God, is involved. The key point is this water produces a change or regeneration. This concept of regeneration is a significant one in scripture as we see elsewhere how we are encouraged to in many ways be renewed from our birth into Adam and then into a new way of being. I studied this idea of regeneration a little over 3 years ago from Ephesians 2 and talking of being dead and then becoming alive. So it is significant here that water is spoken of by Jesus as connecting these two. 

Titus 3:5 states, "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." Here also is this connecting of renewal through washing (water) and the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed and made new. 

There is prophecy concerning this from Ezekiel 36:25-27 -- "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." -- I realize now that verse 26 is a verse I have prayed for my youngest son Derek very often and I never noticed before that verse that water cleansing precedes it and really speaks of the newness that happens in a person. That newness is shown in water. The context here also refers to the metaphorical death of the Babylonian exile which again speaks of being rescued or renewed or born again. 

This concept of God created something new also occurs in Scripture to speak of a new heaven and new earth as in Isaiah 65:17, "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind" and also Revelation 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea."

Again, the idea is being made new and that is a consistent idea in scripture. And this idea here hinges on water being involved in this regeneration. 

I am impressed with these words and it makes me wonder if we really do emphasize baptism enough and its importance in speaking of this new life in Christ, before God and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. That is the message today, of the importance of baptism and how it needs to be a part of our process of witnessing to people and giving them the Good News of Jesus. That visible act needs to occur for the person to see in themselves and for others to see. 

Summary: Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation. 

Promise: Jesus connects the Water and the Spirit for newness of life that God produces by His Spirit. Baptism will regenerate His people and we can look to our baptism to be reminded of God's faithfulness to cleanse us from our sin. 

Prayer: O Father God, thank you for bringing home to me this message of regeneration and renewal. Life is about starting anew and afresh with you. I pray that people would recognize this, like the people we spoke to last night at the mall, Hamet, Brian, and also Carlos. I pray Lord these males would have lives that are born again and new again. May your gospel penetrate their lives. Lord, keep me on this path of regeneration continually where I am always examining me and how I need to be renewed in You. 

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 Corinthians 11:23-25 - Word and Sacrament Together

I Corinthians 11:23-25 - 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Message: Word and Sacrament Together

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church.

What the Lord is Saying: In the last lesson, I expanded on the idea of sacraments, these rites or acts we do and how they point to an act of God in a person's life. They reveal truth and reveal something in a person's life. They have a special relation or union between the sign and the thing signified. In this lesson, I will continue to study and connect these dots. 

Towards the end of my time what I saw was a way for us to see salvation in others through these sacraments and have a visible way to confirm faith. And so baptism and the Lord's Supper give breath to our visual world in helping us understand and believe spiritual truths. 

As we take these sacraments and administer them they are not simply done in silence but we spend time as they occur explaining the union of practice and grace. In the Lord's Supper we share scripture about it -- like today's passage. In baptism we talk prior to the act about salvation and what we see in baptism - death (a person under water) and resurrection (a person coming up out of water). In this practice we also observe what Christ did as well as he was baptized and he instituted the Lord's Supper. So we know that these events in our lives are important but they are joined with words and not simply acts alone. Even in other acts such as a marriage union it is important to speak of what God is joining together and it is of His doing. 

Faith is heard. Romans 10:17 - "Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of Christ." So this speaking of the Word of God is paramount in the practice of the sacraments. No one can simply say they did it without the Word of God coming together with the Sacrament. 

In today's passage we witness this coming together and connection. Again, by themselves bread is simply a part of our meal for eating and nourishing and wine or drinking the cup is the same. But in this practice we make mention that the bread and cup have a connection to God giving up Himself for the salvation or giving of His life for sinners -- “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And lately I have been marveled at the usage of the language of cups in the Bible. Wondering if this cup of the Lord's Supper also can speak of God's wrath and His conquering of it in my life (Jeremiah 25:15).  In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” The sacrifice occurs in the Body and the Blood takes the place of my sin or the need for judgment/wrath. 

Summary: These acts or rites we observe are empty without the words of God bringing these acts into significance with what Christ has done on our behalf. 

Promise:  It is the preaching of God's Word and the administration of the sacraments that must go together. Let us not let eagerness to meet Christ in His sacraments cause us to neglect meeting Him in His Word.

Prayer: O God, thank you for the gift you give us in these Sacraments and how we can come to know you better as we practice this ordinances of Your Grace in our lives. Help me to always stay grounded in Your Word as we witness or practice these sacraments. I pray the Word of God would remain paramount in our lives and unite us in these practices. Bring churches together and help us to not focus so much on our differences but our similarities so that we have more Unity within the Body of Christ. 

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. 

TABLETALK - September 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 12, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Elements of Worship

Redeemed to Worship - We are people that are meant to glorify God, to worship the Lord. 

The Importance of Reverence in Worship. Guidance in Worship - Start with scripture and let scripture define our ways in worship. Reverent Worship - We must take care to worship God with reverence, according to God's word.

What it Means to Worship in Spirit and Truth

Worshipping in Spirit and Truth and the Place of Worship - Worship is not limited to a place, but true worship is the Holy Spirit being with me and testifying the truth of God. The Time of Worship - Christ's resurrection took place on the first day of the week and so there is ample warrant for setting aside Sunday as the time of obligatory Christian worship. Heavenly Worship - The city of the living God is mount Zion, in heaven and so when we worship God we enter into this heavenly city while we are also here on earth. Reading Scripture in Worship - From the earliest history of God's people, we have gathered to hear God's word read aloud. Exhortation and Teaching in Worship - In addition to reading, there is also teaching scripture in the context of the day and then exhortation or application of putting it in practice today. Prayer in Worship - Prayer is a private devotion, but also a public proclamation that we need to do in a public setting. Sacraments in Worship - Sacraments are public ordinances and we participate in them rightly in the context of public worship. At a minimum these acts should include baptism and Lord's Supper. Oaths and Vows in Worship - These are promises or pledges we make each Sunday as we gather, as we sing songs, about God but also about who we are in Christ. If we speak these words, may they be so in our lives. Fasting in Worship - When we fast, we are driven to more urgent prayer and to remember our creaturely dependence. Thanksgiving in Worship - Giving thanks is a part of our prayers that we make thanking God for all that He has done. It can be part of special occasions and it can also be a part of our weekly coming together time on Sunday morning. Living Sacrifices in Worship - A living sacrifice in worship is to give God all of me, to give him my best and this means I turn from doing those things that don't honor him in any way.

The Intersection of Arts and Worship

The Beauty of Worship - The beauty of the Lord is seeing what God has made in His creation but also in His temple and specified in people's attire, in our talents and spiritual gifts. All of these colors help us to worship God. Ritual vs Ritualism - The problem is not with rituals themselves but with ritualism, which happens when we go through the motions without an inner disposition to worship the Lord. Forms and Their Communication - It is not the form of our worship that matters as much as the purpose for why we gather and assemble in our churches - to edify one another and be devoted to Him. The Power of Music - Music was created by God. And as his creation, he uses it to testify of Him and to minister to us. Music and Theology - Good worship music invite us to move deeper into God's word to learn more and more about Him. In all of its forms, hymns, contemporary songs, our hearts can be focused on him. The Arts and the Worship Space - Places of worship are normal and should be present, either small places in homes or larger spaces that are rented or purchased. What is important is not always the form, but the function.

Here also is a summary of the articles from Tabletalk for August 2017.

Rescuing Souls from Death - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). This is the earliest hint of soul winning in the Bible and pictures the unrighteous seeing the fruit of the righteous and saving their lives. Throughout the Bible is the idea of being rescued. Doing good goes beyond evangelism to kindness, parenting, helping people in crisis. If we truly believe that God calls people to Himself then any of our works of righteousness can be used to bring people to Him. 

Wisdom, New and Old - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We tend to focus too much on the future, on what is new, thinking it is always better than what is old or the past. It is true that our understanding of things is developing, but people are not necessarily getting more intelligent. Life is often repeating itself, just with a new zip code. God revealed Himself to people in the past and gave us truths we can still live by today, that are still relevant today. 

God: The Winner of Souls - David Strain (senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss.) - God is the Evangelist. He is in hot pursuit of sinners. God so loved the world that He gave his only Son...God sent His Son...John 3:16-17. The initiative behind the work of Christ on behalf of sinners is God. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. You have given Jesus authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him (John 17:2). The Holy Spirit is an evangelist, giving new life to dead sinners (John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life). At every point of Christ's ministry, the Holy Spirit rested upon Christ. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear (Acts 2:33). The church preaches the good news by the Holy Spirit (I Peter 1:12); the Church is sent to pronounce forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. Never forget it is God that is the true and great soul winner. The Father purposed to save sinners in love by sending His Son with the Spirit uniting us with Christ and empowers us in turn to bear witness for Christ. 

The Sovereignty of God and Soul Winning - Joel R. Beeke (President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary) -  If God chooses people in His sovereignty then we don't need to evangelize - False - God calls us to preach the gospel, to pray for laborers to go out into the harvest. We are his co-workers. He calls us to be involved. Calvin wrote the gospel "does not fall from the clouds like rain" but is "brought by the hands of men to where God has sent it." Calvin even started a lot of missions and churches in his time. Many evangelists and missionaries went out from the reformers including Laurence Chaderton, William Perkins, John Owen, John Eliot, David Brainerd, George Whitefield, William Carey, Adoniram and Ann Judson, John and Maggie Paton, Andrew Gordon and Andrew Watson, Ebenezer Erskine, Charles Spurgeon, Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1. We are to be bold in evangelism (Acts 18:9-10). 2. We are to be patient in evangelism, not trying to manipulate or force people into the kingdom (2 Timothy 2:24-25). 3. We are to be confident in evangelism (Isaiah 55:11). 4. We are to be submissive in evangelism (Romans 10:1, 9:22, 9:16). 5. We are to be worshipful in evangelism (I Corinthians 3:6-7). 

Winning the Souls of Unbelievers - Dr. Jon D. Payne (pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC) - Evangelism is a way of life. It liberates and challenges us to reach out to our spheres of influence. To witness is compulsory for every sincere follower of Christ (Matt. 5:13-16). Yet we lack zeal and prayer. Let's recommit our lives. We have examples from Jesus and the Apostles, but we do not have to duplicate their ministries. It is primarily an overflow of a sincere walk with God. I am right where I need to be (Ps. 115:3; Acts 17:26-27). Our home and work location is for a reason. It is less a task and more a way of life. Are we willing and ready to identify and act upon the evangelistic opportunities that God brings our way? In prayer we remain steadfast and utterly dependent on Him. We are to be in steadfast prayer. It is to be centered on Christ - God's holiness and requirements of His Law (Lev. 11:45, Gal. 1:10-11). Man is fallen, miserable and depraved (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). God sent His Son to fulfill the Law (John 3:16; Rom. 5:18-19) and satisfy divine justice on the cross (Ps. 22:1; I John 4:9-10) and rise from the dead on the third day (Rom. 4:22-25), to reconcile man to God by grace through faith in Him (2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 2:8-9). In the judgment, to heaven or to hell (Matt. 25:31-46). It is hard to be silent about what we cherish most. 

The Ordinary Means of Soul Winning - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk, copastor of Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida) - Greatest trick by the devil is convincing the church that it needs to be like the world to reach the world. In a desire to be like the world they have become counter-ecclesial (relating to a church). Pastors study the fads of culture more than the unchanging principles of God's Word. They claim that there is no explicit command in the Bible against it, so they can use it to reach people. Parsons discovered the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the answer to Question 88. It is through the Word, sacraments and prayer that salvation is made known to people. We are to follow the example in Acts and worship God according to His Word and according to the means God has ordained. Thus, true Churches needs to be observing the Lord's Supper regularly, praying deeply, preaching the Gospel. Instead changing church for people, people need to see the witness of the Church. 

Winning One Another - Carl D. Robbins (senior pastor of Woodruff Road Presbyterian church in Simpsonville, SC) - The closing of the book of James shows how real Christians care about their members (James 5:19-20). We can wander by giving up essential tenets of the faith like deny exclusivity of Christ or justification by faith alone or understandings of biblical sexuality. Paul warns in I Corinthians 10:12: "Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." We are to reorient one another toward righteousness. Warn people of the road to destruction they are walking on. The Lord sent Nathan to King David to call him to repent (2 Samuel 12). We are to do this to save their soul from death and confirm the Blood of the Lamb as atoning cover for their sins. 

One Kingdom Will Continue - Jason Helopoulos (associate pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - "I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill" (Ps. 2:6). Promise: Christ reigns. Terrorists, church members slayed, upholding heterosexual views - in American society, it often doesn't look like Christ reigns. Jesus said in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world." This is a spiritual kingdom that doesn't show up on the evening news and it will continue and last and God shalt break them (nations) with a rod of iron, shatter them like earthenware (pieces of a potters clay) (Ps. 2:9). It was on Good Friday that it appeared the world had won over Jesus and He had been defeated. People didn't see it at the time but God was working, setting His King on His holy hill, establishing His Son's kingdom for all eternity; He who sits in the heaven's laughs (Ps. 2:4). Every Nebuchadnezzar falls; every Ahab reaches his end; the head of the serpent is crushed. His kingdom is established and will continue forevermore. So Fear God, not men. 

Looking over the Fence - Melissa B. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, NC) - Consider others, but in the right way. We often look at what others have and want it. And then at times we don't like people's opinions. Or perhaps we just don't think about our neighbor. But filled with Jesus I can view others through the lens of love. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain contempt, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Phil 2:3 NIV84). We need to encourage others in their faith, noticing what people are doing and how they are serving God (Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works). And considering our leaders, not their failures but their faith for the Gospel gives us a new mindset continually on all things (Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7). 

A Life Worthy of the Gospel - Aaron L. Garriott (production manager of Tabletalk magazine) - Unity made Paul's heart leap hearing of it from the church at Philippi whom he thought of as his "joy and crown" (Phil. 4:1). He said his joy would be complete if the church members were of "the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Phil. 2:2). Yet, arrogance over self-advancement engenders disharmony. People don't drift towards unity. Instead self-advancement and self-exaltation is often the mindset. In Philippians 2, the blueprint for unity is given: humility. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than oneself; do not look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others (2:3-4). Why? Because of Jesus who "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, was humbled to the point of death on a cross, then exalted, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - to the glory of God (Phil 2:5-11)." Now there is a difference in Jesus emptying Himself and us emptying ourselves. Jesus emptied Himself of infinite riches as the co-owner of eternal. Our emptying is one of emptying ourselves from the mindset that we are greater than we truly are. For us to be of one-mind with one another it starts by each of us humbling ourselves individually. And here is the goal: Paul reminds us to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27-28)."

The Direction of Leadership - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9marks and elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Leadership even in scripture is full of metaphors about "up" being good, and "over" others - "God reigns over the nations" (Ps. 47:8); His throne is "high and lifted up" (Isa 6:1); elders have "oversight" (I Peter 5:2). But being a leader is more than being over others, it is also coming down to their level, kneeling down and lifting others up. Psalm 18:31-35 says God has equipped me with strength....sets me upon my high places...trains my hands for battle...given me the shield....Thy gentleness make me great. A good reminder to help those under me and work for their success. Christ tells us He came to serve, not be served (Matthew 20:25-28). 

Moments of Praise - Rev. Joe Holland (Pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Culpeper, Virginia) - We can praise the Lord, even with short bursts of prayer, like is mentioned with Psalm 117, the shortest chapter in the Bible. In seconds we can praise God and pronounce a call to Missions. God is not constrained by word counts. We want long drawn out times with the Lord in large chunks but don't miss quick bursts as well. 

Knowledge without Zeal - Joshua S. Brice (senior pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Georgia) - We are to not simply attend the right churches, but have a real zeal for God. James Montgomery Boice commented that "millions are drifting along through life, manipulated by the mass media, particularly television, and hardly know it." Our thinking of eternity has left us and we are too focused on the hear and now. Remember the reformation as it was a desire for the word of God. The Catholics remained only on listening to lectures of the Bible in Latin rather than God's word in our language. We need to have a proper zeal to serve God. 

Handling Abuse in the Church - Rev. Brad Hambrick (Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC and instructor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC) - We need to be willing to be uncomfortable and realize that people are being hurt, even among the church body we are in. Engage a social workers with experience with domestic violence and child abuse. We need to talk about it more in trainings and even from the pulpit. By talking about it then people believe this is a safe place to discuss this. 

The Real Story of Christianity and Abortion - Dr. R. Albert Mohler (President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY) - Recently, many are giving the idea that Christians are late to the table in calling abortion evil. In fact, several so-called Christians are even stating that Abortion is morally right and the scripture supports this. But in reality Christians have always been opposed to Abortion and this can be seen by the Didache in AD 80-120, Clement of Alexandria (AD 15-215) and Tertullian (AD 160-240) who all have words about the crime of abortion. Don't believe the culture, ever. 

The Context of the Early Church - David R. Briones (Associate professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary) - Context is vital to our daily communication. Example - steel sinks could mean at Lowe's or Home Depot purchasing a steel sink, but in a class at college taught by a professor of material science it could mean steel that sinks in the water. So, understanding the context of God's word is very important. Note, Phil 2:12 and "work out your salvation." The word your is actually not me, but rather our and is meant to convey the entire church coming together to do the work of salvation. So context helps us be better readers of the text and it adds color to our reading of the text, as through it we can see better the beauty of God's word. Example is Jesus at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem at Passover and spreading palm branches before Him. To see the significance of the palm branches we look at the books of the apocrypha and see that in 165 BC during the intertestamental period when a Jewish family was revolting against Syrian forces and King Antiochus who prohibited Jewish religion. But then Judas Macabeus destroyed every Syrian detachment and moved back into Jerusalem with the people celebrating and as part of that celebration, a new festival of Hanukkah commenced and the people celebrated with palm branches and became a national symbol for the Jewish people. National Jews thought Jesus would destroy Roman opposition, but instead they drove nails into His hand and then through His death and resurrection liberated people from sin and death. And Jesus then entrusted Himself not to Jews, but His Church. 

2 Chronicles 5:1 - The Arts and the Worship Space

2 Chronicles 5:1 - Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasures of the house of God. 

Message: The Arts and the Worship Space

Time: Originally one book, 1 and 2 Chronicles was separated into 2 books around 200 BC when the Greek version of the Old Testament was translated. Many historical sources were compiled to detail this history of God's people. It covers the time from Solomon’s ascension to the throne (971 BC) until the southern kingdom of Judah was finally carried into exile in Babylon in 586 BC. It focuses on Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Churches began in people's homes and then larger spaces were found to meet. As Christianity was legalized in Rome (323 AD), dedicated Christian sanctuaries were built and eventually from the 5th to 15th centuries more Gothic cathedrals and structures were built while some continued to meet in plainer buildings. Today, churches are even meeting in hold movie theaters or setting up daily at school auditoriums until their own buildings can be built or acquired. Thus, where we go is not as important as that we gather. 

It is normal and continues to be normal for houses of worship to be dedicated spaces for worshipping the Lord. 

Even in today's passage is the mention of gathering what is most precious to people and bringing them to the place in which people worshipped, the house of God. At the beginning of the history of God's people is the mention of the tabernacle and then later the temple of God was built. And so it seems likely that structures have been built for over 3,000 years. So it is normal for us to build these structures in all of their different sizes and dedicate places to the Lord. 

Summary: Places of worship are normal and should be present, either small places in homes or larger spaces that are rented or purchased. What is important is not always the form, but the function. 

Promise: While it is true that God can be worshipped anywhere, we are not to neglect the corporate worship of God's people. 

Prayer: Lord, again, I thank you for church and thank you for the gathering of people. I have so many memories of gathering with like-minded people in different places, from homes to apartments, to restaurants and basements (at Baylor), to small theaters and larger spaces, and even grandiose buildings of size and stature with beautiful artwork and special designated spaces for Worship. There have been many different forms, but the Word of God and the People of God has always been central. Thank you for working through us in this way and making You always the focus. Help me to continue to make this a priority and for those around me as well to make it a priority. 

Psalm 101:1 - Music and Theology

Psalm 101:1 

I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to Thee, O Lord, I will sing praises. 

Message: Music and Theology

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying: In addition to being a great theologian, Martin Luther also wrote hymns. He realized that hymns were important for the development of our faith. His hymns were often written around different themes, like Advent, Christmas, Easter or on topics of the Ten Commandments. Wikipedia lists 41 hymns he wrote in German. His best known hymn is a Mighty Fortress is our God based after Psalm 46 and written in 1529. 

It is interesting that music and hymns can be used to communicate to us truths of God but can also teach us theology. I read through the Lyrics of a Mighty Fortress is our God and was shocked a little and interested to read how much it speaks of the Satan and the Prince of Darkness and devils filled. 

There have been arguments in the church about music and hymns or more contemporary songs. Hymns were contemporary songs in their days and perhaps we need to focus more on what the song is saying than the form. On my home yesterday from work, I heard this song by REM called Everybody Hurts. I've read a little about the song and its writing and it is hard to tell if it was written with much meaning as it simply chronicles the hurt we all experience in life and that we are not alone. Now God is never mentioned, but as I listened I was reminded of the meaning and that I am not alone. 

I have not spent much time going over hymns and studying them. I always remember my mom in church and hearing her sing and how she often knew so many of the hymns. She sang so much by memory. These were her songs that she sung to God. I grew up with the Baptist Hymnal. Here is a copy of one with songs from 1991. It also reminds me of how organs are often accompanying hymns. 

Many songs written are based upon the Psalms. For me, I love tunes from scripture and where I can see the link of why it was written. For praise songs, I do like the one's that speak of God's attributes, like Great is thy Faithfulness, but also like songs that are sung directly to God. There is a recent song I heard by Kristian Stanfill (worship pastor at Passion City Church) that fits this:

I want to love You with all of my heart 

I want to love You with all of my soul 

Jesus you’re my one ambition 

With every breath You give I’ll give You 

Another praise, another praise, another praise

I need help speaking to the Lord and praising Him and I appreciate these lyrics that help me direct my thoughts toward Him. 

Summary: Good worship music invite us to move deeper into God's word to learn more and more about Him. In all of its forms, hymns, contemporary songs, our hearts can be focused on him. 

Promise: The biblical psalms model the kind of complexity that good sacred music has to offer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for music again and specifically the music that we have sung in the church. I appreciate the choruses that I have sung growing up and then in small groups like at Chi Eta that helped define my faith and my praise of You and then all the songs of the day now that offer praise to You but also can help define my dependence on You. Thank you for being present and speaking to Me in so many different ways through these writers. Help me to continue to give praise to You in these ways and to sing from my heart. Thank you for giving me such a great Mom who patterned this in my life and gave me such a great example of praising You and Singing to You. It is great to see this carried on in my brother. 

I Samuel 16:14-23 - The Power of Music

I Samuel 16:14-23

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. 15 Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp; and it shall come about when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.” 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me now a man who can play well and bring him to me.” 18 Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.” 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by David his son. 21 Then David came to Saul and attended him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23 So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Message: The Power of Music

Time: The events that happen in 1 Samuel took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC). We see the birth of Samuel, his call from God and subsequent prophetic ministry, the rise and fall of King Saul, and the anointing and maturity of young David.

What the Lord is Saying:

Music is powerful in our lives and in worship. Music has been a big part of my life. I can remember getting hooked on buying 45s when I was a kid, probably around the age of 7 is when I started this (Mr. Jaws). And then buying my first album a year later at 8. And it simply continued. I rarely get focused on one song though and rather like artists and many songs that an artist performs. But music has been a constant in my life.

In church, I have seen music be a little controversial. It seems around the late 90s and early 2000s when praise and worship music began to be more of a centerpiece in the Christian music industry, churches also began to introduce these tunes in worship resulting in different styles of music in a service and some churches choosing to have a contemporary service and others a traditional worship service (this is captured so well in this movie - Jesus Music). I never was interested in attending something that was different because I liked the mix of the two - some traditional and some contemporary. Some churches believe there should only be acapella music and no instruments because instruments are not mentioned in the New Testament. I don't agree with this interpretation, but am fine with people that make this choice. 

Songs are played regularly at college sporting events as we celebrate with "our song." And even some couples think of "their song" when describing their relationship. Music is background noise most often at doctor's offices and everywhere we shop. 

Today's passage is an interesting one in that the evil spirit that torments Saul would flee whenever David took up his lyre and played for the king. 

So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Wow! Music was significant 3000 years ago as well. Listening to music was refreshing and calmed Saul but also had power and moved the evil spirit away. This is a great reminder to me and also instruction that music can simply refresh and relax us but it can also have spiritual power in listening to it. Music in our churches in all of its controversy does impact us. I heard Russ Taff say once in an interview, though I'm guessing he was not the first to say this, that "Music has a way of speaking to us like nothing else in our world." That quote and line which I heard listening to an interview in the early 90s has always stuck with me. It has a way of speaking to us, like nothing else. 

Summary: Music was created by God. And as his creation, he uses it to testify of Him and to minister to us. There is a great power of music. 

Promise: Scripture prescribes no particular kind of music, so the choices of music we use in worship and even for leisure must be guided by Christian wisdom. 

Prayer: O God, my God, thank you for music. Thank you for creating music and the power that it is in our lives. Like so many things in life it speaks to a cacophony of gifts and expressions that speak of your great love for us. Often, it takes us to another place as we listen that is full of joy and happiness and praise to You. I see it in church and hear it in a concert or even a quiet song or instrumental. Lord, I am struck in amazement by your great love for us. It has impacted my life and my devotion. Thank you for prompting me at the moment in my life, at age 15, to center myself on the music that is to praise You. I am not to ever regret tossing those records in the trash for that was trading altars - the one I created for the one You created. I know some people have determined that this Christian music is not of You. I stand in question often how two well meaning Christ followers can have two opposite interpretations of Your Word and yet each of them glorify You. It reminds me at times that maybe there isn't a right way for some of these things, but in those convictions the result still is you are glorified and what matters is the heart and motive of the person - of me. You get my praise for music even from those that may not acknowledge You as Savior and yet for me in their music I can still praise you. 

I Corinthians 14:40 - Forms and Their Communication

I Corinthians 14:40 - But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner. 

Message: Forms and Their Communication

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

This verse in 1 Corinthians that is today's focus is the last verse of the chapter and is the last verse after 5 paragraphs have been given in chapter 14 on the proper way we are to exercise our gifts in the church. And so it ends with the statement, "But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." 

In the devotional today from Tabletalk, they are emphasizing the heart devotion we are to have in worship, stating that what we do or are practices or what we keep are not as important as our devotion to the Lord, or the heart behind what we do. Therefore, some churches have moved away from the rituals of liturgies in favor of less elaborate church services. Yet, we should recognize that even in these forms there is still ritual. For instance, the Quakers (and I recall a Quaker church I attended in 1995 in Houston with Bruce) assemble in a circle and then agree to a system wherein everyone is quiet until "moved by the Spirit." So in any worship service there is a potential for going through the motions and our hearts not knowing what we are really doing. 

I like this verse -- I Corinthians 14:26 -- that begins a paragraph:

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 

These verses remind me first that church is not optional, but it is an assumed practice that we have. But then as we come together, the goal is edification (the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually). The goal is moral improvement of man and so our services can include ritual practices in many different forms, but we need to remember that our hearts and minds are to be focused on the truth of God. We/I need to always stop and take a moment to get my heart right. Even as I study the Word of God, it is important to stop and take a moment to pray that the time in the Word studying is beneficial. If anything, we need to be extra sensitive always in making sure that our time in the Word is done with a correct heart focus. 

Summary: It is not the form of our worship that matters as much as the purpose for why we gather and assemble in our churches - to edify one another and be devoted to Him. 

Promise: All of our forms of worship communicate something. We need to be intentional always and as leaders think carefully about what we do in worship and how it is done. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for these lessons on worship and this one particularly which reminds me of the reason we come together in a church and that is to edify one another. Solo bible study is great, but assembling together is also needed. Lord, I pray that you would restore your church and you would make it a priority among Your people everywhere to continue to assemble together. Lord, help me to not ever be at a place where I think church attendance is optional. Keep me grounded always in your truth and the study of Your words. Thank you for the many different flavors of churches in our world today even those that are lead by leaders in our local congregations. Lord, again, may your name be praised and lifted up always. Help us all to congregate and assemble in a way that honors You and helps one another. We need each other. I need one another.