April 24, 2016

HYMN OF THE DAY

Set For Eternity

In slippery places are some

Who set their hope in what they do.

Not of works, not what they have done,

Will ever bring salvation true!

The Lord set me in a large place.

He set my feet upon the Rock.

He made Himself my hiding place.

He set me safely in His flock.

For the joy set before our Lord

Did our Savior endure the cross:

That He, by death, the living Word,

Should reconcile His own to God.

His Salvation set me on high.

He is at the Father's right hand.

My hope is set in Christ on high;

My Redeemer, God's perfect Lamb.

(Tune: "Just as I Am" p. 249)
By Gary Spreacker

"Baptism - The Answer of a Good Conscience" - I Pet., 3:21

PETER makes it very plain that baptism does not save us. But baptism is the response of one who has been saved. Baptism is the public confession of Jesus Christ as our salvation. That by His life, death, burial and resurrection we are saved. It is the command of Christ to everyone that believeth, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). And the Lord has no disobedient children. So all who believe must and shall be baptized. Their Lord demands it and their conscience demands it. They will not rest completely until they do so.

When Peter spoke to those saved at Pentecost, he told them to "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (in confession of Him Who remits our sins), and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Now it was the Holy Ghost who moved upon these people and convicted them of their sin and caused them to bow to Christ. So what is this "gift of the Holy Ghost"?

Romans chapter 8 tells us that "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." And it goes on to say, "The Spirit Itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:14 -16). And Paul says in Ephesians chapter 1, "In Whom (Christ) also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. l:l3). I believe what this is teaching is this. There can he no peace of conscience for anyone who does not publicly confess the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism. But when they do, the Spirit settles their conscience and gives them more assurance of their interest in Christ. Not that they are being rewarded for obedience (that is works) but no child of God can have a settled conscience if they are disobedient to the revealed will of God

Again, baptism has no merit nor saving virtue. But the apostle said it is necessary to a "good conscience." A good conscience says, I believe the word of God concerning myself am an unworthy sinner. I believe the word of God concerning himself. He is my Holy and Sovereign God. I believe the word of God concerning His Son. He is my only righteousness and by His blood my sins are punished. I believe the Word of God which tells me to confess His Son. Therefore in obedience to the command of my Lord and my God, I come confessing Christ in believer's baptism, that He is all my salvation. That is the answer of a conscience made good by God. - Pastor Paul Mahan

GOOD WHOLESOME INSTRUCTION!

Watch against sins to which you are prone; see them in their vileness, and they shall never break out into act. Keep always an humble, empty, broken frame of heart, sensitive to any spiritual misconduct, observing all inward workings, fit for the highest communications. Keep not guilt in the conscience, but apply the blood of Christ immediately. God charges sin and guilt upon you to make you look to Christ the brazen serpent. Judge not Christ's love by providences, but by promises. Bless God for shaking off foundations and for any way whereby He keeps the soul awakened and looking after Christ. Better sickness and temptations than security and superficiality. – Thomas Wilcox

TRUE DOCTRINE