I AM CONCERNED ABOUT
January 30, 2000 AM
Sermon Outline
MAKING BAPTISM UNNECESSARY FOR FORGIVENESS
Gal 3:26-29
INTRO: I recall reading the outline of a sermon called What God Hath Joined Together. You would think it was a sermon on the subject of marriage. However, the writer/preach3r used the text from Mt 19:6 to show how God had joined certain things and that it was not permissible for anyone to rend those things apart. Among the things he noted was Gods joining of baptism and the remission of sins. While the denominational world has long said baptism is not joined to remission of sins, there are now those in the Lords church preaching this. I am concerned, because eternal destiny of souls is at stake.
I. HOW BAPTISM IS BEING COMPROMISED?
A. By declaring that salvation is by grace alone
1. there is no doubt that salvation is by grace
2. Eph 2:8 (note that alone is missing
3. salvation is possible only by Gods initiative and the efficacy of Jesus blood
4. I have no merit sufficient to claim anything (simply to thy cross I cling)
5. but salvation by grace and salvation by grace alone are tow very different things! (Calvin)
B. By declaring that salvation is by faith alone
1. there is no doubt that salvation is by faith
2. Rom 5:1 with Rom 10:9 (note that alone is missing)
3. salvation is possible only through ones faith in God and the power of redeeming blood of Jesus
4. salvation without faith is as impossible as life without blood
5. but salvation by faith and salvation by faith alone are two very different things! (Luther)
C. By declaring that man has no part in his salvation
1. let me ask you to read Mk 16:16 or Rom 10:10, etc.
2. saying that man has no part is the declaration of the absolute predestination/sovereign grace of John Calvin ... but it is far from Biblical truth
3. not John 6:29 man most certainly has a part
4. his part may be described in Acts 6:7b - Rom 1:5 - Rom 16:26 - 2 Thes 1:8
5. such a declaration can only be made by rejecting the scripture of truth!
II. WHY ARE SUCH DECLARATIONS BEING MADE?
A. I can only suggest from implications...
1. perhaps they think Gods love will overlook - 1 Jno 5:3
2. perhaps they feel truth offends - Acts 7:54
3. perhaps they want broad acceptance - Gal 1:10
4. perhaps they believe this will cause their congregations to grow - Gal 1:6-8
5. perhaps they are just ignorant of truth - Acts 17:30
6. perhaps they believe Biblical teaching about baptism excludes people from salvation and they dont want to suggest such a thing - Gal 3:27 ... fact: baptism does set apart the in Christ people from the out of Christ people ... but that is Gods truth
B. We must teach Gods truth (in love) to save souls
1. what the New Testament says about baptism is clear and unmistakable
2. if truth makes any difference, I cannot but teach that truth
3. certainly, salvation is by grace; it is by faith ... but neither fact removes baptism from scripture - so, 1 Pet 3:21
4. yes, I am concerned about the souls of people and anything which can compromise the Bibles teaching about the role of baptism in our salvation
CLOSE: Times, they are a changing. Ive heard that all my life. But Gods truth is not and will not change.
Cecil A. Hutson
30 January 2000