THE VERY THOUGHT OF GRACE...
To any Bible student, God's grace is both a matter of record, and a cause for amazement. An objective look at oneself, and indeed, at all of mankind - at his best, man is a weak, needy, offensive creature before God - compels one to marvel at the riches of God's kindness on our behalf. We look in vain for anything of merit in human character or conduct which requires God to be gracious-and yet He is, extremely so. He explains it Himself - it is done out of LOVE for His creation. He has a love that persists through divine disappointment toward its object; that continues to yearn for companionship and fellowship from those who look upon Him contemptuously and make light of His efforts at reconciliation; that implores sinful man to consider his ways and repent; that goes so far as to give up His only Son to bear our punishment for wrongdoing, in the hope and desire that such will convince us of His love, and convict us of our failings.
Without conditions attached, toward the rich and the poor, the black and the white, the slaves and the free, the women and the men - God's grace "hath appeared to all men"..(Titus 2:11). In complete impartiality, it is "whosoever will" may come. Seeing us as "without hope" apart from His grace, He freely offers to us and for us that which is utterly beyond our reach.
God's grace is "free" in the highest sense of that term, but too many of us think that it is cheap. It cost Him everything, and if we ever benefit from it, it will cost us everything. Unless we are willing to "deny ourselves", and give our entire life to Him, grace gives us nothing. With His grace, we can avoid the sinful life that leads nowhere, and ruins everything. With God's grace, we can experience "fellowship" with God (1 Jn 1:7), enjoy all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3) be spiritually secure and well cared for throughout life, and best of all, look forward to an eternity in the constant presence of the "light".(Rev 21). How is it possible for some NOT to seek grace, to love the giver of grace, and count the cost a light thing? It is there, but we must live and serve in order to make it ours. Is God's grace for you? —AcBelue
Editorial: It IS A "Big Deal!"
A favorite human pastime is to attempt to "rate" the impact of our conduct upon God.. Starting with how things seem to us, we assume that this is how they must appear to Him. This is especially "helpful" to us when we are considering some pet idea or practice. In many cases, we are so attached to something that we are doing that it gains a rating of "good" without proper evidence, and we then find a way to regard God as thinking the same way. One of the tools we use is that of thinking that, "Oh, well, it is not such a big deal. Surely this small thing does not matter to God." We like instrumental music. We have convinced ourselves that it is "good" (uplifting, more impressive, helpful in singing, etc.) so we assume God must appreciate it as well. But, just to feel comfortable, we then say, "Oh, well, it is not such a big deal. God doesn't really care about a little thing like adding the instrument to His singing."
There is something that IS a "big deal"! Whether we add to His commands is important to Him. (Deut 4:2; 1 Cor 4:6; Rev 22:18, 19). It might not have been a "big deal" for Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge, but look where it got them (and us!)(Gen 3). It might not have been a "big deal" for Nadab and Abihu to bring strange fire to the altar (Lev 10) but they learned the hard way that it WAS a "big deal" to God. It might not have been a "big deal" for Ananias and Sapphira to secretly withhold part of the price of their land, and misrepresent it to the church, but they lost their lives over it (Acts 5).
If such things are not such a "big deal", why are they recorded to let us know God's reaction to things like that? If they are not, why has God gone to such lengths to make it clear that HE has all the authority over us and our thoughts and actions (Matt 4:4; Acts 15:24)? Why, even, does God remind us that "my ways are not your ways, and my thoughts your thoughts" (Isa 55:8,9; Ps. 50:21)? It is not like God has left us to guess. He has clearly told us what HE wants, and that that is enough (2 Tim 3:16, 17). It may seem acceptable to us to measure things by whether or not the act seems significant to us - but God does not think (nor act) that way! To Him, even gnats must be rejected, and meticulous tithing is expected (Matt 23). Whether or not I go to heaven is a "big deal" to me. Am I willing to let things that seem "not such a big deal" to me jeopardize that chance? -The Editors
Why Are You Waiting? Arise and Be Baptized.
What must I do to be saved? It is one of the most significant questions an individual may ever ask. In the book of Acts we find many examples of people hearing the gospel, believing in Christ, and repenting of their sins. We also find these same people being baptized (2:38-41; 8:12, 36; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 30-34; 18:8). Many will say, "Baptism is an act of obedience by those who are already saved, not a prerequisite to salvation." But is this really what the examples in Acts and the doctrine in the rest of the New Testament teach us? What about Acts 22:16: "And now, why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." What does this verse teach us about baptism, and how can its message be reconciled with the rest of the New Testament?
Why are you waiting? There is an obvious urgency whenever salvation is discussed in the New Testament. God desires the salvation of all men (ITi. 2:3-4; 2Pe. 3:9), but the fragility of life recommends haste in responding to the opportunity of grace. Saul of Tarsus was already a penitent believer when Ananias spoke the words of Acts 22:16 to him. Saul had seen the Lord on the road and had been fasting and praying for three days (Ac. 9:3-11). Nevertheless, Ananias' exhortation was anything but casual. In contrast to the general practice of most churches today, where baptisms are scheduled for special times of assembly, those who were baptized in Acts obeyed immediately upon hearing the command to do so.
Arise and be baptized. Different audiences were given different instructions in the book of Acts. Those on Pentecost already believed in Christ when they asked Peter and the apostles, "What shall we do?" (Ac. 2:36-37) Peter knew they believed, so he commanded them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Ac. 2:38). The Philippian jailer was a pagan who did not know of Christ when he asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Ac. 16:30) Therefore, Paul's first word to the jailer was to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He then spoke the word of God to the jailer and his family, and they were all baptized that same hour, in the middle of the night (Ac. 16:30-34). After the resurrection Jesus commanded those who heard the gospel and believed to be baptized (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). No other passage or principle of scripture can change what the Savior commands.
Wash away your sins. If we wish to understand baptism as Jesus taught it, we must allow His word, the New Testament, to define the importance, manner, and purpose of that act. The verb tenses in Acts 22:16 leave no doubt as to the relation of baptism, washing, and calling. It is hard to explain away or deny the weight of Biblical teaching on the necessity of baptism for salvation. Baptism is where we are united with Christ's death, dying to sin and rising to a new life (Ro. 6:3-4). Baptism is where we are joined to the body of Christ, the saved (ICo. 12:13). Baptism is where we put on Christ, our hope of glory (Ga. 3:26-27). Baptism is where God spiritually circumcises us, cutting away our sins (Co. 2:11-12). Baptism is where we are reborn and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:5; Tit. 3:4-7; Ac. 2:38). Baptism is where we are saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (IPe. 3:21). What could the Lord have said to convince us we must be baptized in order to be saved? Calling on the name of the Lord. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, so says the word of God (Ac. 2:21; Ro. 10:13). But how does one call upon the Lord for salvation? Modern churches suggest penitent believers should pray a sinner's prayer, but we find no such instruction in the Bible. There is no doubt that we are saved by grace through faith. The question is when does faith save us? How do we call upon the Lord for mercy? The Bible answers those questions. Peter told those who believed and asked what they should do to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Ac. 2:37-38). Peter wrote that baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience" (IPe. 3:21). Ananias told Saul, "Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." When a penitent believer obeys in faith Christ's command to be baptized, God hears his plea and forgives his sins.
What if you have already been baptized but were baptized in a different way or for a different reason than Jesus commanded? Acts 19:1-5 tells us the story of sincere people in such a situation. What did they do to please God? Who will you listen to and obey: men or God? If you believe in Jesus and desire His blood to save you, arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. -JME
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