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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM?By Bob Myhan
hen Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Here, we have Peter's testimony that the reason one should be baptized is to obtain "the remission of sins." This being the case, one's sins are not remitted, or forgiven, before he is baptized. If one's sins are not forgiven before he is baptized, he is not saved before he is baptized, because salvation and remission of sins are one and the same for the alien sinner.
ome contend that the word "for" means "because of" in Acts 2:38, as it does in Mark 1:44, where a man who had been healed of leprosy was told by Jesus, "Show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." It is asserted that, just as "for thy cleansing" in this passage obviously means, "Because you were cleansed," "for the remission of sins” means "because your sins were remitted" in Acts 2:38.
hile the word "for" can and often does mean "because of," it does not always convey this idea. For example, while instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus said, concerning the fruit of the vine, "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28). Was the blood of Jesus shed "because of" the remission of sins or "in order to" the remission of sins? Clearly it is the latter. And if "for the remission of sins” means "in order to the remission of sins" here, why should it not mean "in order to the remission of sins" in Acts 2:38? That which Jesus shed His blood "in order to provide," is what penitent believers are to be baptized "in order to obtain."
he word "for" occurs twice in this passage--once in the phrase "for thy cleansing" and again in the phrase "for a testimony." There is a different Greek word in each case. The word translated “for” in the first expression does mean, "because of" but the word translated “for” in the second passage means “in order to.” It is true that the leper was cleansed of his leprosy before he offered "those things which Moses commanded," but he did not have "a testimony" until after he offered "those things which Moses commanded." He was to offer them "in order to obtain" a testimony.
ust so, those Peter addressed in Acts 2:38 had not obtained “the remission of sins" before they were baptized any more than they had obtained “the remission of sins” before they repented. Thus, they were to “repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for [in order to obtain] the remission of sins." & ARE YOU ONE OF HIS DISCPLES? By Bill Walton
hen Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, all the disciples ran away except Peter and John. They followed at a distance. Jesus was taken first to Caiaphas, the high priest. And Peter, at first stood outside at the door of the courtyard; but later he entered the courtyard and warmed himself by a fire while he watched what was happening to Jesus as He was being questioned by the high priest and the members of the Sanhedrin.
here were others, who were not the Lord’s disciples, in the courtyard that night and three times Peter was asked: "Aren’t you one of this man's disciples?" (John 18:15-27) Each time Peter denied he was a disciple. In fact, the third time he was asked, Peter cursed and swore: "I do not know the man!" (Matt. 26:74) Because of fear, Peter lied about being the Lord's disciple.
ven today there are probably times when a Christian is in a situation where he is afraid and, because of fear, he lies and denies that he is one of the Lord's disciples. But I suspect, in our society today, a lie is more often told by someone who is professing to be the Lord's disciple who really isn't. Maybe he's ignoring the things in his life that give the lie to his claim to be one of the Lord's disciples. Or, maybe he's rationalizing. Or, it may be that he really doesn't know what it takes to be a true disciple of Jesus - so he thinks he’s a disciple even though he really isn’t.
hat about you? If you were asked the same question Peter was asked, how would you answer? And would your answer be altogether honest and true? Are you truly one of the Lord's disciples?
n Matt. 28:19-20 Jesus commanded his apostles: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." (NIV). This commission, that we call the Great Commission, was given by Jesus to His apostles just before He ascended to heaven.
he main thought of Jesus' command is "make disciples." To "make disciples" is the reason for evangelizing the world for Christ. But His command also reveals how disciples are made: "baptizing them... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Anyone who commits himself to obey the Lord in everything He commands, and demonstrates his commitment by humbly submitting to the Lord's command to be baptized for the remission of sins, is the Lord's true disciple (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). And that commitment will be demonstrated and fulfilled in every area of his life.
s the Lord's true disciple he will be careful to abide in the Lord's teaching. Jesus said: "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples" (John 8:31, NIV).
s the Lord's true disciple he will demonstrate a sincere love for his brothers and sisters in the family of God. Jesus said: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will bow that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).
nd, as a true disciple, he will bear much fruit as he labors in the Lord's vineyard. Jesus said: "This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples" (John 15:8, NIV).
ow, how will you answer? Are you truly one of His disciples? & DISCIPLESHIP: AN ACROSTIC By Bob Myhan D is for Devote I is for Informed S is for Sensible C is for Circumspect I is for Involved P is for Peaceful L is for Lowly E is for Earnest S is for Spiritual H is for Hospitable I is for Introspective P is for Patient |