House of Truth Ministries Christian Witnesses
January 2016
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
January 2016
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
Our daughter Nanedi was baptized in December. Below are a couple photos from her baptism.
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water as a sign of his [or her] previous entrance into the communion of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.”(1) We are commanded to make disciples and to be baptized.(2) However, baptism is not necessary for salvation. I like what John MacArthur had to say about baptism and salvation.
"First, it is quite clear from such passages as Acts 15 and Romans 4 that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, etc.).
If water baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon’s portico in the Temple (Acts 3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn’t Peter say so in Acts 3?"(3)
Also, let us not forget that Paul said, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel.”(4) Paul gets to the heart of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Paul make no connections between the Gospel and baptism. However, if we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ, we should be baptized.
1. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary Kindle Version, 2. Matthew 28:19, 3. Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Online Article, 4. 1 Corinthians 1:17
"First, it is quite clear from such passages as Acts 15 and Romans 4 that no external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, etc.).
If water baptism were necessary for salvation, we would expect to find it stressed whenever the gospel is presented in Scripture. That is not the case, however. Peter mentioned baptism in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38). However, in his sermon from Solomon’s portico in the Temple (Acts 3:12-26), Peter makes no reference to baptism, but links forgiveness of sin to repentance (3:19). If baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, why didn’t Peter say so in Acts 3?"(3)
Also, let us not forget that Paul said, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel.”(4) Paul gets to the heart of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Paul make no connections between the Gospel and baptism. However, if we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ, we should be baptized.
1. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary Kindle Version, 2. Matthew 28:19, 3. Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Online Article, 4. 1 Corinthians 1:17
PRAYER AND SUPPORT
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be written to House of Truth Ministries, and they can be sent to the address below. Online donations are accepted as well.
House of Truth Ministries
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
My E-mail
jeff@HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
House of Truth Ministries YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQtvAk11yMYsOfFhy3W81jw
Christian Witnesses' YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIQy8YGTBX181POz72yxuA
Online Donation
http://HouseOfTruthMinistries.org/Donate.html
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be written to House of Truth Ministries, and they can be sent to the address below. Online donations are accepted as well.
House of Truth Ministries
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
My E-mail
jeff@HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
House of Truth Ministries YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQtvAk11yMYsOfFhy3W81jw
Christian Witnesses' YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIQy8YGTBX181POz72yxuA
Online Donation
http://HouseOfTruthMinistries.org/Donate.html