THE SPIRIT’S SWORD
published by
Mt. Baker church of Christ
1860 Mt. Baker Hwy · Bellingham, WA 98226
Volume V, Number 4 - April 1, 2001
Editor..................Joe R. Price
Visit our Web Sites:
Mt. Baker church of Christ: http://www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker
BIBLE ANSWERS: http://www.bibleanswer.com
Link of the Week: THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, by Joe Price
In this issue:
WAS PAUL BAPTIZED STANDING UP?
Yes, according to Catholic Answers, a Catholic apologetics ministry (http://www.catholics.com). Their reasoning?
"Paul was baptized in a house (Acts 9:17-18). In fact, he was baptized
standing up. When Ananias came to baptize him, he said: "And now why do you wait?
Rise [literally, "stand up"] and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling
on his name" (Acts 22:16).
"Peter performed baptisms in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48), even though
bathtubs and swimming pools weren't fixtures of ancient homes. After the earthquake that
released him from prison, Paul baptized his jailer and his entire family--within the
jailor's house (Acts 16:32-33)." http://www.catholic.com/ANSWERS/tracts/bap-immr.htm
These Catholic apologist, in trying to prove from the Bible that baptism can be the sprinkling or pouring of water, have ignored the Biblical definition of baptism, eliminated the scriptural significance of being buried when baptized, and manifestly perverted scripture.
The NT teaches us that "much water" is needed to baptize (Jno. 3:23). That is because to "baptize" (baptizo) means "to dip...to immerge, to submerge" (Thayer, 94). Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:12 clearly describe baptism as a death, burial and resurrection [death to sin, buried (united) with Christ, raised to newness of life]. Now, unless the house of Judas (Acts 9:11) had a container of water large enough to submerge a man, Paul was not baptized "in a house"! Ditto for Cornelius.
The Catholics are apparently confused by the meaning of "house" and the events of Acts 16:32-34. In verse 32 Paul preached the gospel to Cornelius "and to all who were in his house." House in verse v. 32 is "family" in v. 33 ("all his," KJV). Cornelius "took them" (Paul & Silas), washed their stripes, "and immediately he and all his family were baptized" (v. 33). Cornelius then "brought them into his house (his dwelling), fed them and there was great rejoicing (v. 34). No, Cornelius and his house were baptized in water sufficient to immerse them. And that was not in the house (the dwelling), since they came back into the dwelling after being baptized (v. 34)!
As for Paul, the same is true. Paul was sitting, urged to arise and be baptized. Now, he had to stand up to go to the water and be baptized (Acts 22:18). Acts 22:16 says nothing of Paul's posture when baptized. The Catholics are forcing their "sprinkling" mode of baptism into this text. It simply is not there. They know you do not stand which being immersed (baptized) in water. So, they have to read into the test what is not there in order to support their error.
A. A. McInroe
"Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity." -Jesus, Parable of the Sower, Luke 8:14
Frequently members of the church, apparently for no reason at all, quit attending the services. This is usually preceded by a period of indifference and spasmodic attendance.
Upon closer investigation it will be found that back of it all there is usually a hindering cause. It may be that the individual has become in some entanglement with sin, so that he feels so uncomfortable when studying God's Word in class, or listening to a gospel sermon, that he prefers to quit attending, rather than be constantly reminded of his ungodliness. His sin may be that of gambling, drinking, filthy speech, unethical business transactions, or some other equally sinful thing.
There are many reasons why an individual should not act so. The following are some of them:
1) He owes God a life of service, and if every day that he lives upon the earth
were spent in faithful service, he could never compensate for all that God has done for
him.
2) Eternity is too long, hell is too hot, and heaven is too beautiful to spend life here
in pursuit of things that will cause one to be lost.
3) Setting the proper example before others is the obligation of every professing
Christian. It would be tragic to so live as to miss heaven, but it would be doubly tragic
to lead others to the place of eternal suffering. Be an example to your family and
friends.
4) No one has a lease on life. James said, 'Life is as a vapor that appears for a little
time and then vanishes away' (Jas.4:14). No doubt many will be lost who intended to do
something about their condition, but death overtook them before they had prepared to meet
God. Don't let it happen to you!
-Midland, TX via Bible Matters, 2/24/01
For the complete text of this sermon, visit BIBLE ANSWERS
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:9-11
Intro.
1. Fool: "a person lacking in judgment or prudence." (One
whose decisions & conduct reveals a lack of sound, spiritual judgment and wisdom.)
2. Every day the true fool is the person who...
I. SAYS THERE IS NO GOD - Psa. 14:1.
A. It May Be He Ignores The Evidence For God's Presence & Power - Rom. 1:19-21; cf.
Psa. 92:6.
B. It May Be He Accepts As Truth The "Wisdom" Of Unbelievers - Col. 2:8.
C. It May Be He Refuses To Acknowledge The Truth Of God - Acts 17:22-23, 32
II. DOES NOT CONTROL HIMSELF.
A. His Tongue - Prov. 19:1:
1. Foolish talking - Prov. 10:8, 10; Eccl. 5:3.
2. Deceptive speech - Prov. 10:18
3. Contention & strife - Prov. 18:6-7; 20:3.
B. His Emotions - Prov. 12:16; 27:3.
C. The Desires Of The Flesh - Prov. 7:6-23; Prov. 6:23-29; 7:24-27.
III. IGNORES THE DANGERS OF SIN - Prov. 10:23.
A. Rejoices In The Pleasures In Sin - 2:14; 15:21 (Heb. 11:25; Jas. 4:3-4); Prov. 14:16.
IV. IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES - Prov. 12:15; 28:26. (Refuses godly
counsel.)
A. Speaks Out Of Pride - 14:3 (26:5).
B. Doesn't Accept Correction - Prov. 17:10.
C. He Is The "Expert" - Eccl. 10:12-14.
V. DOES NOT LISTEN TO THE INSTRUCTION OF HIS PARENTS - Prov. 15:5 (1:8); cf. Psa. 32:8-9.
VI. DOES NOT PREPARE HIS SOUL FOR DEATH - Lk. 12:20.
A. He Is Covetous - 12:13-15, 19.
B. Not Ready To Answer To God 12:20-21.
Conclusion: Prov. 17:21; 26:11
For the complete text of this sermon, visit BIBLE ANSWERS
Part 1
Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:24-28
Intro.
1. Children naturally ask questions.
2. We can use such occasions to teach our children of God - Exo. 12:26; 13:14; Deut. 6:20;
Josh. 4:6.
3. What will you say...
I. WHEN YOUR CHILDREN ASK YOU:
A. Why You Go To Worship Services? - Jno. 4:23-24; Psa. 122:1
B. Why "Church of Christ" On The Building? - Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16.
C. Why We Have Bible Classes & Worship Services? - 2 Tim. 2:2; Jno. 6:44-45; Rom. 10:17; (2 Pet. 3:18); Heb. 10:25.
D. Why We Offer Prayers? - Acts 2:42; 1 Jno. 5:14-15; cf. Acts 12:5; Phil. 4:6-7.
E. The Point Of Singing Spiritual Songs - Heb. 13:15; Jas. 5:13; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19.
F. The Value of The Lord's Supper (what it's all about)? - 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:27-29; 1 Cor. 10:17; 11:17-22.
G. Why We Give Money Every Week? - 1 Cor. 16:2; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
H. Why We Have Gospel Preaching Every Worship Service? - 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (4:2); Rom. 1:16.; Heb. 4:12.
I. What Is The "Gospel Invitation"? - Acts 2:37, 38-39 (Matt. 11:28); Jno. 14:6 (2 Cor. 6:2).
Conclusion
Let us renew our efforts to teach our children the ways of God.
(Current events in the light of Scripture)
March 30, 1867: U.S. Purchased Alaska From Russia
Russia's claim to Alaska went back to the early eighteenth century, when Vitus Jonassen Bering explored the region. However, the Russians considered their North American territory an economic wasteland, and made little effort to develop or colonize the region. Russia initially approached the United States about selling the territory in 1860, during President James Buchanan's administration, but negotiations were delayed by the Civil War.
William H. Seward, who served as Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, was a strong supporter of American expansion, and in December, 1866, when Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, Russian minister to the United States, was authorized to open formal negotiations with the U.S. over the sale of Alaska, Seward responded eagerly. The negotiations were concluded with the signing of a treaty on March 30, 1867. Under the terms of the treaty, the U.S. acquired full control of the former Russian possession for a price of $7,200,000, or approximately two cents an acre for the 586,412-square-mile territory.
The treaty created great controversy in America, and was dubbed "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox" by opponents who ridiculed the idea of paying so much money for such remote and frozen territory. The intense opposition made the ratification process difficult, but on May 28, 1867, the Senate did ratify the treaty, though by just one vote.
Seward's thinking appeared less foolish by the late 1890s, when the discovery of gold greatly increased Alaska's value as a U.S. possession.
-(The Learning Kingdom, "Today in History: March 30th")
What a deal! The benefits to the U.S. of the purchase of Alaska continue to be immeasurable. Seward's Folly long ago became "America's Fortune."
The value of the kingdom of heaven is infinitely greater than Alaska. Like Secretary of State Seward, we must see the value of salvation in the kingdom of Christ and "make the purchase." "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Matt. 13:45-46) Alaska was a bargain at $7.2 million. Obeying the gospel and entering the kingdom of God reaps greater, eternal rewards. But its purchase will come at great price. You will have to sacrifice yourself to Christ (Lk. 9:23; Gal. 2:20). You will have to put Christ and His will first in your life, before family, friends - everyone (Matt. 10:34-39). You will have a new master in all things (Col. 3:17). Are you willing to pay the price (Lk. 14:28)? The reward will be greater than any earthly inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3).
The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com