|
|
|
The story is often told of the Bible class teacher who reads a verse of
scripture and someone asks, "What does it mean?" The teacher quickly
replies, "It means what it says." This answer may not be suitable for
every question that is raised, but it does cut to the heart of the
matter regarding some verses of scripture.
Most religious groups teach that baptism is not necessary for one to become a child of God. But the question on Pentecost was easily understood, and so was the answer: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:37-38). Jesus said unto the apostles, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." (Mk. 16:15-16). This passage clearly states that the gospel requires one to be baptized in order to be saved. It means what it says! Ananias told Saul of Tarsus, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16). Is it not easily understood that baptism is necessary in order to wash away ones sins? The verse means exactly what it says. Another popular false doctrine today is that a child of God cannot so sin as to be lost. Most folks believe in the "once saved, always saved" dogma despite what the word of God clearly states. Paul said to the Galatians who had obeyed the gospel, "Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace." (Gal. 5:4). How can one fall away from grace if he was never saved? Peter warns, "For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire." (2 Pet. 2:20- 22). What do these verses of scripture mean? They mean exactly what they say. It is possible for a child of God to again choose a life of sin and fall from the grace of God. Another popular doctrine today is that one is saved by "faith only." But the Bible says, "Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith." (Jas. 2:24). To make sure there is no misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit continues in saying, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." (Jas. 2:26). These verses mean exactly what they say. One cannot be saved by faith only. Can one who desires to go to heaven really attend the church of his choice? The Bible says, "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18). This verse means what it says. Christ promised to build His church (singular). The apostle teaches that there is only "one body" (Eph. 4:4), and that God "put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph. 1:22-23). These verses mean exactly what they say. There is only one body over which Christ is head and that body is the church He built. Does the Bible mean what it says when it commands Christians to sing songs of praise unto God (Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 2:12; Jas. 5:13)? One needs authority for what to do when worshipping God. Our authority does not come from the silence of the scriptures. Neither do we follow Old Testament examples for our worship today. Turn and read the scriptures listed above. God commands the child of God to sing — not make music! The command to sing is specific — not generic. Neither the apostles nor the early church used mechanical instruments of music in their worship to God, and neither should we. Can the Bible be understood? Yes! And, yes, the Bible always means what it says. |