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As we all know, new skill sets take practice. Each one undertaken requires a unique set of "exercises" in order to achieve success. Physical fitness requires stretching, cardio, aerobics, etc... Musicians may or may not need to learn how to read music, depending on whether they are playing an instrument or singing. It's less mandatory for a singer to learn that than proper physical techniques like breath control, body positioning, and mouth/tongue usage. When my ex-boyfriend Jeremy was studying to be a Psychiatrist, there were going to be practicums to be completed before he would be able to get his degree*. Likewise, for the new Christian, there are things that are needed for the proper education of all, and others that specific Churches/Denominations may or may not feel are important.
Large Group Leader this week was Ron Powell. He is the former Head of Corrections for the State of NH and wonderful man of God who grew up in an extremely Legalistic Church environment in Georgia and has since seen the harm that came, and still does come from those places. While there are certain things he still embraces, he has grown mature enough in his own Spiritual walk that he understands that relationship comes before rules. His sons were 3 and 4 years or so ahead of me in school, while his daughter was a year behind me. His wife was our Yearbook Advisor my Senior Year.
To begin the lesson, Ron brought out one of the many metaphors used in the Bible, and particularly in the New Testament. Two of these references are 1 Cor. 3:2 and Heb. 5:12*. For whatever reason, some Churches have a history of taking the Bible literally even in moments when it is clearly not. I'm not sure what they actually think about these verses and others like them, but they are just comparisons used to help people understand that there are levels of maturity in the Spiritual Life just as there are in our physical lives. A brand new Believer is not going to be ready for an in depth study on the Hermeneutics* of a particular passage, any more than a newborn baby is ready for steak. It's simply not a reasonable expectation. They both have very basic needs at this point. They need milk to start out life. For a baby human, that means either mommy or formula. For the baby Christian, it means things like prayer and devotions.
Now, of course, as with any skill set, either new or more experienced; the "rub" lies in being or becoming inconsistent. Unlike riding a bike, other skills have a "use it or lose it" truth to them. For example, I've taken classes in American Sign Language before, but without anyone to practice on/with; I've forgotten a fair amount of it. The same with my HS Spanish, a lack of use has led to a lack of memory/skill.
When we are inconsistent or leave a skill behind entirely, we stop growing in that area. I actually bought a guitar during the 2020 shut-downs. Have I learned to play it yet?? Beyond knowing the notes and having a single video chat lesson to teach me a few 1-finger chords, no, I have not. I'm effectively "stuck" in that area due to lack of practice and lessons. The same thing happens in our Christian Walk. If we get lax about maintaining our Spiritual Growth, we will get "stuck" in one place until we "dig ourselves out" by prioritizing God in our lives. Whether that means getting back to/finding a Church, Bible Study, and/or just Prayer time. Maybe it means carving out time for Fellowship with Godly friends. Maybe listen to some Worship music or buy new stuff to "change up" the routine.
And the important thing to realize here is that this can happen at any stage in our Spiritual Walk and at any age of our lives. Maybe some of you are like me and have been Saved since you were a child. Others of you may have been introduced to God/Jesus later. We all get busy and get lax or we get lax and stop caring for a time. I fit the latter scenario, myself. Back in the Fall of 2015 into early 2016, I went through a "rough patch" in my Spiritual Walk. I was still showing up for Church and going through the motions, but my private life was, shall we say, "less than exemplary"?? So I've been there, I get it. Life can really trip you up at times. But only if we let it. And that's the key right there, isn't it?? If we stop practicing our Spiritual Skills, we will stop caring about using them. And we will stop growing.
Ron's focus this week was on the practicum of Baptism*.
While most of us know when our physical birthday was; not all of us can "nail down" a specific time and date for our Spiritual Birthday. Mine, generally speaking, were July 1969 and October 1975. For some people, the Conversion to Christianity may be a gradual thing that eventually leads to a solid belief in Jesus, Who He was, and what He did. For me, I grew up in Church partly due to my mother playing the organ*. My Salvation Experience happened in the hallway of my school, with my Teacher's Aide, Mrs. Larrabee, leading my Prayer. I think because my parents were no longer members of the Church that ministered through my school, she didn't say anything about Baptism to me, or to them, that I'm aware of. It was/still is a Baptist Church although the Name Plate has changed and the teaching is against Legalism.
Ron's point lay in the celebration of each. We have parties for new babies and annual birthdays, why not have at least one for our Birth in Christ?? After all, that "birthday" is the more important in light of Eternity.
Ron brought out that the book of Acts shows multiple stories of Baptisms immediately following decisions for Salvation. The most familiar one is in Chapter 8 when Philip meets the Ethiopian Queen's Treasurer. The man is reading a scroll of Isaiah 53, which is a prophecy of Jesus' coming. Philip proceeds to explain the Gospel and the man decides to be Baptized since they are passing by some water*.
Also in Acts, the story of Paul and Silas in jail is told in Chapter 16. They are singing and praising God when an earthquake hits and the chains break. The jailor is scared he'll be blamed for a jail-break; but Paul calms his fears, reassuring him that no one has left. The man then asks what must be done to be Saved. Paul replies that all that is required is that he believe in Jesus as the risen Son of God. He and his household are Baptized later that night. Notice that Paul didn't mention that Baptism was mandatory.
With belief and acceptance* come the acts of turning away from sin in light of trust in God. The results of this can lead one to rejoicing and celebration in Baptism. That being said, however, there are a number of misunderstandings people may/do have concerning it --
Some believe it is necessary to Salvation. This simply isn't true or it would be mentioned in every verse that covers it. While there are other elements of faith that require one to "piece things together" from multiple texts, this is not one of them. Every verse concerning what is necessary to Salvation simply says, "Believe on Jesus' Name" (Jn. 1:12) or "Whosoever believes and calls on the Name of Jesus..." (Jn. 3:16) No mention of Baptism being required. I've read that is was simply adopted by Christians as an outward symbol of faith because it was a common practice among Pagan religions in the area, as a sign of their new identity with their chosen deity. Once again, God meeting people where they're at.
Many Churches consider it a Sacrament. That's a lie. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is the grace of God that Saves us, not an action we perform. It is nothing more than an outward display of inner faith. In my opinion, actions speak louder than words. A Godly life is the best apologetic of faith. A moment in a pool is a moment in a pool. It may just be an act because the person has been pressured into doing something they're not prepared to do, and may not even agree with. (My personal experience as to feeling pressured)
Some Churches insist on repeated Baptism in order to join their congregation. SMH... ;p
Reasons for Churches to support Baptism include the following --
-- Acts shows no delay in a Believer to be Baptized
-- Obedience - many feel that we are to follow Jesus' example in Baptism, but Jesus never said that. The bit in the Great Commission about "baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is Spiritual, not necessarily physical. Rom. 2:25 speaks of a "circumcision of the heart". As the act of circumcision was a part of Jewish Law, it was permanently covered by Jesus' Sacrifice, and therefore no further physical acts are necessary to our Salvation.
-- Identity with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection
-- Reassurance of faith - confirmation for those who doubt their Salvation - I really don't have anything solid for this. I guess if someone feels a need, they can do it, but as mentioned above, it isn't mandatory.
In researching for today's blog entry, I found the follow article -- https://carm.org/doctrine-and-theology/baptism-and-romans-63-5/
I also found reference to Baptism for the Dead in 1 Cor. 15:29, but Paul is not advocating that practice*, he is simply referencing it to support his argument that belief in resurrection is necessary to belief in Jesus' Sacrifice, and therefore, to faith.
Do with this message what you will. There's no harm either way as far as I'm concerned.
-- God Bless!!
Footnotes --
1) Jeremy never received his degree as he didn't get into an internship and then time ran out.
2) The metaphors used here are of milk and meat. "Piggybacking" on this, the study of Hermeneutics is that of Linguistic and Historical context of a chosen portion of Scripture in order to gain full understanding.
3) As evidenced by having read further, I don't personally see the point in being Baptized.
4) As a result, in part, of my mother's organ playing, I've had experience with over 10 denominations. (see Personal Intro post for details)
5) In Acts 8, there is a footnote stating that some manuscripts include verse 37 which has Philip telling the Treasurer that he can only be baptized if he fully believes. (again, faith first)
6) I add the point of acceptance with belief because one can believe in the existence of God or Higher Power without accepting Salvation.
7) Baptism for the Dead involves a live person receiving the rite of baptism in place of someone recently deceased who never had it due to a lack of time or other issues.
Pastor David Jeremiah has this to say --
