THE APPEAL TO GOD FOR A GOOD CONSCIENCE

By Bob Myhan

he like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

hat is "the like figure" that "doth also now save us"? It is "even baptism." We know water baptism is under consideration because "whereunto" points back to the word "water" in the phrase, "eight souls were saved by water" (v. 20).

hus, water baptism saves. Some contend that Noah and his family were saved by the ark not by water. Peter, however, said they "were saved by water." Of course, the ark saved them physically, in that it lifted them up above the physical destruction brought on by the water below.

ut the water saved them spiritually, in that it took away the wicked people and their evil influence (Matt. 24:37-39). Water baptism saves us in that our sins are washed away when we are baptized in obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

eter does not say that baptism saves us by itself but that it saves us "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." If not for this miraculous event, by which Jesus was fully and finally declared—with power—to be the Son of God (Rom. 1:4), neither baptism nor anything else would or could save anyone.

aptism does not save as the cause but as a condition of salvation. Notice also that the baptism that saves is "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." That is, if one is immersed merely for the removal of bodily dirt, he has not been saved.

he Greek word translated "answer" [KJV & NKJV], appears nowhere else in the entire New Testament. But its verb form appears fifty-nine times in fifty-eight verses, and is translated as "ask," "asked," "asking," "demanded," "desired," or "questioned" [KJV]. The noun form, therefore, must mean "a request." Indeed, the ASV employs the word "interrogation," and the NASB uses the word "appeal." Thus, one whose baptism is "an appeal to God for a good conscience" is saved. &

NO PASSOVER IN HEAVEN

By Bob Myhan

ut I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29).

s Jesus, in the above passage, speaking of eating the Passover in eternity or of communing with His disciples as they eat the Lord’s Supper during the church age?

he Passover was instituted by God for the ancient nation of Israel as a commemoration of His “passing over” their houses in the plague that brought the death of the first-born child of each family in Egypt (Ex. 12:1-27).

aving the first-born children of Israel from physical death was typical of the eventual saving of every obedient Israelite from his sins by the blood of Christ (Matt. 1:21). The Pascal lamb was also typical, foreshadowing the death of Christ (1 Cor. 5:7).

he death of Christ, therefore, overshadows the Pascal lamb, which it fulfilled as its antitype (John 1:19-29). Once fulfilled by its antitype, the Passover would naturally cease to be celebrated by all those of Israel who accept the death of Christ as the central event of human history. And it would have no significance for a Gentile saint, either on earth or in heaven. Why, therefore, would Jesus promise to eat the Passover with His disciples in eternity?

he truth is, He was not promising to eat the Passover but to commune with the saints as they eat the Lord’s Supper. Our reader asked, “Isn't the Father's kingdom in heaven? Are we in Heaven?” Both questions can be answered, “Yes and no.”

esus and John the Baptist both taught, during their respective ministries, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (Matt. 3:1-2; 4:17). The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are one and the same (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:13). Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within the hearts of its citizens (Luke 17:21).

fter the resurrection Jesus stated, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Thus, He is king over those who are in heaven and those who are on earth. He promised His disciples, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

he Lord’s Supper is a memorial meal (Luke 22:19). It is also a communion meal (1 Cor. 10:16) and a proclamation meal (1 Cor. 11:26). When saints eat the bread and drink the cup, worthily, they not only “proclaim the Lord’s death” but they also have fellowship, or communion, with His body and blood.

he Lord’s Supper is to “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). Therefore, it is intended only for the earthly stage of the kingdom of God and will not be eaten in eternity. &

CAN WORSHIP BE IN VAIN?

By J. F. Dancer

ll over the world at various days during each week people seek to show their veneration to God in what is commonly called “worship." In most instances these efforts come from hearts of honest, sincere people who are seeking the pleasure of God. But we must re­cognize that even though most of these are honest, sincere people they are doing different things in this thing called “worship." Is it possible that God accepts all of this “worship”? Or, is it possible that people can sincerely worship God in vain?

o worship in “vain" is to worship without it accomplishing anything. It is empty, wasted in the sight of God. Jesus said, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9). Yes, people can wor­ship in vain! Jesus also said the people under consideration in this context were hypocrites. They knew what the commandments of God were but they chose to substitute their own teachings. They evidently felt what they thought would be as well pleasing to God as what he had commanded. But not so! We can see the same problem today if we look.

hose who, in their worship, substitute commandments of men for the words of God worship in vain even today. This means it is important that we know what the word of God says and then we do as it says if we want our worship to be acceptable to Him. Let us examine some things done in worship:

1.  Use of instrumental music.

2.  Women preaching and leading in prayer in public assemblies.

3.  Taking communion on weekdays or quarterly on Sundays.

4.  Taking collections on days besides the first day of the week.

5.  Bowing down before images.

6.  Praying through a mediator other than Jesus.

hese and many other things are done regularly by honest, sincere people in attempts to worship God. Is such acceptable? Search your Bible and see if such are found in the New Testament. Jesus told the Samaritan woman worship had to be in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) in order for it to be acceptable. & [Via The Eastside Teacher]