Permit it to Fulfill All Righteousness

PERMIT IT TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
by Bill Blue

Today, men have differing views over the necessity of baptism. Some argue that baptism is necessary for salvation. Others argue that all one must do to be saved is believe. The apostles’ teaching on baptism is clear. Peter said baptism saves you (1 Pet. 3:21), and is necessary for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). On one occasion Peter even commanded believers to be baptized (Acts 10:48). Paul said that baptism washes away, and frees us from, our sins (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:6-8), allows us to put on Christ (Gal. 3:27), join His body (1 Cor. 12:13), and share in His death and resurrection by putting to death our former sinful ways (Rom. 6:3-8). On one occasion Paul even re-baptized disciples who only knew the baptism of John (Acts 19:5) even though John’s baptism was also for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4). The book of Acts describes multiple conversions involving baptism, and none that do not (Acts 2:38-41; 8:5-13; 8:35-38; 9:1-18 & 22:16; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8). Yet some men still argue against the necessity of baptism. What would Jesus do?

Jesus consistently preached and commanded the necessity of baptism throughout His ministry.

Three different Gospels tell us Jesus began His ministry by submitting to baptism (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). Jesus did not question the purpose or necessity of baptism. When John protested that his own righteousness was inferior to Christ’s, Jesus said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness," and then He was baptized (Matt. 3:13-15). If one wants to be more like Christ, why wouldn’t he follow Jesus’ example and submit humbly to baptism as Christ did?

Two of the possible reasons why people fail to follow Jesus’ commands and examples are that they either believe they are smarter than God, or the simplistic nature of the gospel itself poses an obstacle to obedience (1 Cor. 1:18-29). Shortly after beginning His ministry, Jesus told Nicodemus, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:2-5). Is it that difficult to understand the necessity of water baptism? Should we question what the water actually accomplishes? Naaman had difficulties accepting the simplicity of God’s plan. When Elisha told Naaman that washing seven times in the Jordan River would cleanse Naaman of his leprosy, Naaman became indignant and initially refused (2 Kings 5:10-12). “Are not … the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean” (2 Kings 5:12)? In his arrogance, Naaman thought he was too smart to believe that washing in a muddy river would cleanse him of his leprosy. By so thinking, however, Naaman was actually saying that he was smarter than God. Fortunately, Naaman had a servant who could see the foolishness in not accepting the simple command. ““My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’” (2 Kings 5:13)? Sometimes people like Naaman think too much when all they have to do is accept what Jesus said, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [1 Cor. 1:25] But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Cor. 1:25, 27).

After His death and resurrection, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). These are among the very last statements Jesus said to all of the apostles at once prior to His ascension. Jesus could have used this occasion to speak to His apostles about anything and He chose to emphasize baptism. The Holy Spirit could have inspired Matthew and Mark to emphasize something else at the end of their gospel accounts, but He chose to emphasize baptism.

Despite all of man’s arguments about the necessity of baptism for salvation, one fact remains: no one can give a biblical reason not to do it. Do we truly want to consider what Jesus would do, and then do it, or would we rather, like Naaman, question the simplistic and easy nature of God’s command? If we truly wanted to follow Jesus’ example, we would humbly submit to baptism to fulfill His plan for achieving righteousness.

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Kingdom Come

KINGDOM COME
by Bill Blue

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gave his disciples a model prayer that included the following request, “Thy kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10). Was this request fulfilled? What would Jesus say?

THE TIME OF GOD’S KINGDOM WAS FULFILLED IN THE FIRST CENTURY. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’” (Matt. 3:1-2). “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).

When Jesus said that “the time is fulfilled,” He was saying that the time of the prophecies of God’s kingdom had come. In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He tells the king about an image the king dreamed about (Dan. 2:31-35), and explains that the four parts of the image relate to four kingdoms (Dan. 2:37-40), and that a great stone, which crushes the image relates to a fifth kingdom (Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45).

Daniel explains that the first kingdom is Babylon (Dan. 2:37-38), and that the second kingdom will follow after Babylon. Daniel sees the next kingdom when the Medo-Persian empire defeats Babylon (Dan. 5:30-31). In chapter 8, the second and third kingdoms are identified as the Medo-Persian and Greek empires (Dan. 8:20-21).

The identity of the fourth kingdom is not revealed by prophecy, but through history we know that Rome was the next world empire. Daniel said that, “in the days of these kings [the fourth kingdom] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed . . . and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44). Rome was in power when Christ said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).

Daniel also tells King Nebuchadnezzar that God “has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Dan. 2:28). Isaiah and Micah say “in the latter days the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established” (Isa. 2:2; Micah 4:1). On the Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection, Peter quoted Joel 2:28 and said that he (Peter) was now in the “last days” (Acts 2:16-17). The church began that day (Acts 2:47).

THE COMING OF GOD’S KINGDOM WAS WITNESSED WITH POWER. During His ministry, Jesus said that “there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1). Thus, some living in Jesus’ day would live to see the beginning of God’s kingdom.

After His resurrection, Jesus instructed His apostles, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Luke continues this narrative in Acts 1:4-8:

4And being assembled together with them [the apostles], He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ….”

The apostles received this power and the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-17) at the place and time as foretold by prophets (Dan. 2; Isa. 2; Micah 4). Thus, not only did the kingdom of God come with power as foretold by Jesus (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8), but the beginning of the kingdom was also the beginning of the Lord’s church. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

Like Peter, John also said that the kingdom was present in the First Century when he wrote, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ … (Rev. 1:9). Daniel, John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter and John all agree on the beginning kingdom of God.

CHRIST IS KING. Prior to His crucifixion, Jesus told Pilate three things: (1) That He is a king; (2) That He has a kingdom; and (3) That His kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:33-37). Notice that in His answers to Pilate’s questions, Jesus does not say that He “will be king,” but rather, “You say rightly that I am a king” (John 18:37). Following His resurrection, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Only the King can have this authority.

CHRIST’S KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD. When speaking to Pilate, Jesus did not deny that He has a kingdom, but said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and Christ has set forth the requirements for citizenship, “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God […] unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5). “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3).

God’s kingdom has come. Are you a citizen of His kingdom?

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Which Traditions Would Jesus Observe?

WHICH TRADITIONS WOULD JESUS OBSERVE?
By Bill Blue

Jesus would condemn the “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). In Matthew 15, Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees for binding two traditions found no where in the Scriptures. We can we be guilty of the same conduct today.

In Jesus’ day, Jews were divided into different sects, each with their own unique combination of beliefs. They were known as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. (One example in the difference in beliefs is that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead, while the Sadducees did not. Matt. 22:23-32; Acts 23:6-8). Today, Christianity has its own sects, or “faiths,” each with its own unique combination of beliefs and practices and each with its own name, such as Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, etc.

Beliefs, practices, and traditions which are not found in the Bible either add to or take from God’s word in violation of Jesus’ own teaching (Rev. 22:18-19). Consider two examples from Matthew 15. The Scriptures contained no requirement that men wash their hands before eating, yet the Pharisees declared the disciples’ failure to wash a “transgression,” essentially creating a new commandment (Matt. 15:1-9). Men bind new beliefs today. Some faiths teach that an infant that dies before baptism does not go to heaven even though there is neither a command to baptize infants, nor an example of infants being baptized found in the Bible. The Bible actually says that belief, something an infant is incapable of, is a prerequisite to baptism (Acts 8:36-37).

In Matthew 15, the Pharisees also created an exception to God’s law by excusing a son’s obligation to care for his parents if he donated a gift to the temple; thus taking from God’s word (Matt. 15:6). Men make the same mistakes today. The Bible has consistently condemned homosexuality (Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:10), yet nearly 2000 years after Christ’s death, some faiths are now beginning to accept homosexuals as preachers. Jesus would not let political correctness determine which acts are sinful.

In Matthew 15, Jesus did not condemn the washing of one’s hand before eating, but rather the presumptuous creation of a new commandment. Similarly, Jesus was not opposed to people donating gifts to the temple, but the arrogant belief that a man could excuse someone from obeying God’s law to care for one’s own family, essentially making God’s law of “no effect” (Matt. 15:6; Mark 7:10), by “laying [it] aside,” and “reject[ing] the commandment of God” (Mark 7:8-9).

Jesus also criticized the Pharisees for going beyond God’s law when they drew distinctions between the types of oaths one could swear to (Matt. 23:16-22). Isn’t this similar to “ranking” sins when God has not, or classifying God’s commands as those essential to salvation and others not?

Jesus refused to obey traditions that were inconsistent with the letter and intent of the Scriptures. In Matthew 12, Jesus refused to honor the traditions of the elders with respect to the Sabbath in two different contexts: the plucking of grain and healing (Matt. 12:1-14). In both instances, the tradition sought to restrict activities where God’s law did not (Matt. 12:7, 12).

Jesus would adhere only to the doctrine, teachings, and traditions found in the New Testament. We have observed in earlier articles that Jesus would answer religious questions with Bible answers (WWJD no. 2; see also Matt. 4:1-10), and because He sent the Holy Spirit to His Apostles to divinely inspire them with all truth and bring to their remembrance the things He said and did in their presence (John 14:26, 16:13), the Apostles could be trusted to declare God’s will accurately (Matt. 16:19; see also WWJD no. 4). Thus, Jesus would have us follow Apostolic traditions (1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6), but not the traditions of men which contradict the Bible (Col. 2:8).

Jesus says that the teachers and followers of commandments and traditions not found in the Bible are blind (Matt. 15:14). They “transgress the commandment of God” (Matt. 15:3), and worship Him “in vain” (Matt. 15:9).

In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” The whole idea behind emphasizing WWJD (“What Would Jesus Do?”) is to draw nearer to Christ by becoming more Christ-like. However, Jesus says we cannot draw nearer to Him by moving farther from God’s word.

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