Experiences do not save 

When Jesus gave the commission to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to everyone, the saving message (the gospel) was the same for all (Mark 16:15-16). Jude 3 says there is a common salvation. Jesus did not provide unique ways to heaven for specific people – the same pathway is available to all of us. Unfortunately, some people want their conversions to be unique. They pursue this by claiming that some experience they went through “proves” they were saved. There are many ways to disprove these claims. However, this article will review some Bible accounts of unique experiences to determine whether those experiences actually saved the person.

Saul and the voice from heaven

In Acts chapter 9, there is no question that Saul of Tarsus had an experience. A light shone from heaven and a voice cried out, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (verse 3-4).  Jesus appeared to him and gave some instructions. However, it was not until Saul went into the city that he heard this message from the preacher: “Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized washing away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord,” (Acts 22:16). If Saul merely had the experience with Jesus and then did not follow the instructions, he would not have been saved. If Saul had not gone into the city, he would not have heard the preacher’s message, would not have been baptized and ultimately would not have had his sins washed away. It is vital to see that this genuine religious experience did not save Saul. Salvation came when he responded to the same life-saving message that is extended to all of us today.

Cornelius and the Holy Spirit

In Acts chapter 10, we find Cornelius and his family having an experience. While the apostle Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon them (verses 44-45). There were Jewish Christians present, and this proved to them that the Gentiles could become Christians too.  After this experience, Peter proceeded: “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord,” (verses 46-47). Again, we need to see that the experience itself did not save Cornelius. He and his family, like any family today, were saved when they responded to the gospel call and had their sins washed away.

Philippian Jailer and the earthquake

In Acts chapter 16, we find a jailer facing an earthquake. Thinking that all the prisoners had fled and fearing for his own life, the jailer was about to kill himself. The apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul in the first example) called out: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here” (verses 27-28).  The jailer then brings them out of their cell and asks what he needs to do to be saved (verse 30). He is told to believe in Jesus and receives some additional preaching (verse 32).  The man was then baptized (verse 33). Just like the other examples, the jailer would have been lost if he thought he was saved just because he believed. Salvation came when he responded to the life-saving message via baptism.

These three incidents help us see that even when strange things occur, they are not a substitute for conversion. Things happen that you might not be able to explain. Do not ignore the gospel by using the event as a confirmation of your salvation. The only thing that proves a person is saved is if they obey the gospel message (Acts 2:37-41; Rom. 6:3-7). Remember that it is the gospel message that saves mankind, not mankind having some experience. Beware those who teach a salvation other than the gospel (II Thess. 1:8).

                                                                                       Chuck

How do I balance that?

In our first article  we discussed having proper confidence that we are going to heaven by keeping the faith. How can Christians do this without thinking we are earning our salvation though? The key is to understand the difference between working out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 4:16) and being saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). After all, faith without works is dead (James 2:24).

Consider Titus 3:1-8. In these verses, Titus is told what he is to teach the brethren. The teachings are broad and include everything from obeying the rules of the land to speaking evil of no one. He was to remind them to leave behind their former ungodly lives (verses 1-2). Notice that even with all the commands given, Titus is told that the demonstrated kindness of God did not come “by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” (verse 5). In essence, Titus is told that our good works do not earn God’s kindness because salvation was already offered to us.

God’s kindness came first and is seen in many ways. Logically, there would be no race to run if mankind was not given the chance to run it in the first place. Man could not keep a faith unless it had already been delivered (Jude. 3). How could we have a hope of heaven unless there was heaven to offer man and consequences if it was rejected?

The assurance Christians have is directly related to their trust in what the Lord said. Because faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. 10:17) and we know that hearing the word without obeying it is unprofitable (James 1:22), our hope rests in walking by faith. Those who believe you cannot be 100% certain of your chances of heaven show their lack of faith. If you do what the Lord says and do not question Him, you will have complete peace.

Anyone who is convinced they are right with the Lord should not be afraid to defend what they believe. After all, we are to give an answer for the hope that is within us (I Pet. 3:15).  Do you have that hope? And more importantly, do you know why? Consider these things and contact us if you have concerns.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Chuck

What is the difference?

 In a Bible class this week, I was asked, “What’s the differences between the baptism of John and the baptism of Christ?” Before we can answer this, we need to see that the baptism of Jesus was the same as John’s before Jesus died (John 3:22-23; John 4:1-2). Both were a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Matt. 3:6,11; Mark 1:4-5; Acts 19:1-5). However, the baptism of Christ changed significantly after His death and resurrection. Consider these differences.

Baptized for the remission of sins

On the day of Pentecost, many Jews were gathered together in Jerusalem. Peter and the other apostle were also there. When the people heard the gospel and asked what they needed to do, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins…” (Acts 2:38). The one baptism taught today (Eph. 4:5) is for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16).

Baptized in the name of the Lord

The baptisms conducted by John and Jesus (prior to His death) were not done in the name of anyone. This changed in Matthew 28:19. After Christ resurrected, He gave this commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”  In Acts 10:48, Peter commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized in water in the name of the Lord.

Paul later discussed the difference between these two baptisms.  “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (Acts 19:4-5).

Baptized into the death of Jesus

While speaking to the Roman brethren, Paul made mention of their common baptism: “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3). Obviously, John and Jesus could not baptize people into His death before He died. The point of Christ dying on the cross was to pave the way for the salvation of mankind. Thus, when one is buried with Christ, they put to death the old man of sin (Rom. 6:6). This person is able to rise up in spiritual newness of life, just as Christ was physically raised from the dead (verse 4).

Baptized the one true way

Earlier in this article, we mentioned the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5. Baptisms conducted prior to the death of Jesus were not valid after He died. Because the scriptures show that we are only to baptize into Christ’s death today, we can logically conclude that we all have one common source of salvation (Jude 3). Multiple types of baptism would contradict scripture. If we know that this baptism saves us (I Pet. 3:21), why would we accept any other baptism?

Beware lest your baptism only get you wet

Remember that John’s baptism, like a baptism into Christ’s death, was an immersion in water. Though the people in Acts 19 were immersed, they only got wet. John’s baptism did not meet the requirements for a baptism into the death of Christ, so they were not saved. Similarly, people today who are baptized without proper understanding and belief can go into the water a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner. Make sure you understand what is necessary for a proper baptism into the death of Christ.

Chuck