BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST & INTO HIS DEATH

By Bob Myhan

herefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10).

r do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).

ince (1) salvation is "in Christ Jesus," and (2) individuals are "baptized into Christ Jesus," baptism into Christ must be essential to salvation. To be “baptized into Christ” is to be baptized into spiritual union with Him. One who is baptized into Christ is "baptized into his death" because it was His death that made this union possible. Thus, to be “baptized into His death” is to be “baptized into” the benefits of His death.

any teach that it is Holy Spirit baptism that puts one into Christ, not water baptism. They say that one is saved when he is baptized in the Holy Spirit, and merely shows that he has been saved when baptized in water. Thus, they have two baptisms: one in the Holy Spirit and one in water. However, the Bible says there is "one baptism" (Eph. 4:5) not two. The "one baptism" is either Holy Spirit baptism or water baptism; it cannot be both. If “the one baptism” is Holy Spirit baptism, why should anyone submit to water baptism today?

o apostle ever commanded anyone to submit to Holy Spirit baptism in the New Testament. But the apostles did command people to submit to water baptism (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48; 22:16).

urthermore, water baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). So the "one baptism" which puts individuals into Christ—which is, therefore, essential to salvation—must be water baptism. &

FAITHFUL SAYINGS

By Johnie Edwards

here are many faithful sayings in the Bible. It is expressly said of many statements that, "this is a faithful saying." Let's see three of these.

) Christ came to save sinners. Paul said, "This is a faithful saying, arid worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 Tim. 1:15). One of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to 'make possible the salvation of the souls of men. It was said concerning Mary, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). It was said concerning the birth of Christ, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). After the death of Jesus, He arose able to save. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make i intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). Surely, this is a faithful saying: Christ came into the world to save sinners!

) Godliness is profitable unto all things. As Paul wrote to the preacher Timothy, he said, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation" (1 Tim. 4:8-9). Many place too much emphasis on the physical exercise and none on the spiritual. There are some churches that spend more time planning for the social and physical activities than for the spiritual! They seem not to realize this faithful saying that godliness is more profitable than bodily exercise is to the Christian. Bodily exercise is for now while godliness goes beyond this life into that which is to come.

) To die is to live. "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him" (2 Tim. 2:11). The person who becomes a child of God became dead to sin (Rom; 6:1-11) but alive unto Christ. Paul told the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). The one who becomes dead to sin but alive unto Christ not only has life here but the hope of the life to come. [via Main Street church of Christ, Oct. 28, 1990] &

ARE EXAMPLES BINDING?

By Bob Myhan

n discussing principles of authority the question sometimes comes up, "Are examples binding?" Before answering this question we need to make sure we are using the word, "example," in the same way as the one who asks the question, since the word has many meanings, and my not always communicate clearly what is meant by the one who uses it. The English word can mean:

“One or a portion taken to show the character or quality of all, a sample

“That which is to be followed or imitated, a pattern” *

A warning case, esp. a punishment inflicted to serve as a warning *

An instance illustrating a rule or precept, as a problem to be solved

Some action that the Bible describes as having occurred or some state of affairs that the Bible describes as existing or having existed ('an account of action")

here are at least four Greek words that are translated, “example,” in the New Testament. Each of these words has several meanings. They are:

Deigma – “A warning case, esp. a punishment inflicted to serve as a warning” (only N.T use is in Jude 7)

Hupodeigma – “That which is to be followed or imitated, a pattern” (James 5:10; John 13:15); * “a warning case, esp. a punishment inflicted to serve as a warning” (2 Pet. 2:6; Heb. 4:11); * “a prophetic type” (Heb. 8:5a; 9:23).

Tupos – “The pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made” (Acts 7:44; Heb.8:5b); * “a dissuasive example, pattern of warning” (1 Cor. 10:6); “an example to be imitated: of men worthy of imitation” (Phil.3:17); “a type, i.e., a. person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing” (Rom.5:14b).

Hupogrammos – This word mans “an example which is set before one." It is used when the alphabet is written, say, on a chalk board so that little children may try to imitate each letter by writing immediately under each one. Men are obligated to imitate Christ in the way He lived while on earth (1 Pet. 2:21). *

hen used in one of the ways marked by an asterisk, the word is binding by definition. However, since we sometimes use the word to mean "an account of action," the one asking the question may mean, "Are 'accounts of action' binding?"

ccounts of action are not necessarily binding, but they are authoritative! That is, an account of a “God-approved” action authorizes us to perform that action. But it does not necessarily bind us to perform that action.

s an account of action, Acts 20:7 authorizes us to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week, but it does not bind us to do so. However, since no passage authorizes any other day, Acts 20:7 becomes binding, so that we may only partake on the first day of the week. &