The Good Seed

Plan of Salvation

2009-06-20T21:54:00.001-06:00

We, in the church of Christ, teach that people have to hear the Gospel of Jesus, believe in Him and His teachings,repent of our sins, confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, be baptized and be faithful until death in order to be saved.

Peter at Pentacost in Acts 2, told the people in Jerusalem about Jesus and the crime they had committed by crucifying the Son of God, verses 23 and 36. Their belief in Peter’s words are shown by the piercing of their hearts; they asked, “Brethren, what shall we do?” v 37. Peter responds in verse 38 by telling them to “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” They had to realize the depth of their sins and change their mindset towards sin before they were baptized. The life they would be living afterwards would be a new life as stated in Romans 6. Their old man was being crucified with Christ in baptism into His death, Romans 6:3.

Numerous examples of conversion are stated throughout the Bible, especially in Acts.

Philip, after the scattering of the Christians by Saul, in Chapter 8, proclaimed Christ to the Samaritans, v 5. They believed the message.”being baptized, men and women alike,” v12.

Further along in the same chapter in verses 26-39, Philip is told by the Holy Spirit to talk with an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading the Scriptures. The man admits that he need help to understand and Philip preaches Jesus to him.We know that Philip’s preaching of Jesus included baptism as the Ethiopian exclaims to Philip in the next verse, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” Philip tells him he has to believe with all his heart first and the Ethiopian answers, I imagine exuberantly, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” In this conversion, we see the example of hearing, belief, confession and baptism.

Lydia, in Acts 16, also hears the Gospel as proclaimed by Paul and is baptized. The prison guard in chapter 16 as well hears the Gospel, probably through the singing and teaching of Paul and Silas while they were in prison. He was frightened by the earthquake and the fear that the prisoners escaped as he would be held accountable for them by his life. He asks them,”What must I do to be saved?” They tell him to believe in Jesus. Then they speak more of the Word of the Lord to him and his household and immediately they are baptized. Only after their baptism is there rejoicing and celebration,, “having believed in God,” as verse 34 states.

Romans 10: 9-17 reveals the need for confession, belief, hearing and for someone to preach the Word of God.

Peter shows the importance of baptism in the plan of salvation as well in 1 Peter 3:21. “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Original Sin

2009-02-02T21:13:00.005-07:00

The original sin was committed by Adam and Eve. God directly commanded Adam that he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen 2:17. The serpent deceived Eve by making her doubt God’s warning. She believed that this knowledge would be profitable so she persuaded her husband to eat with her. Gen 3:4-6. They now had the knowledge of good and evil. This knowledge brought with it guilt for they knew that they had done evil by disobeying God’s only law. Consequently God cast them out of the Garden of Eden so that they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever in their fallen, disobedient state. Gen 3:22-24

We too bear the same penalty as Adam and Eve. We do not have access to the tree of life. Death is the consequence that they passed onto us, their descendants. The knowledge that Eve so desired has also been passed down from generation to generation but the nature of mankind was not corrupted by Adam and Eve’s sin.

Babies are born as innocent as Adam and Eve were when they walked with God in the Garden (Gen 2:25) before the fall. As children grow, they are taught what is good and what is evil. They then reach a level of understanding and maturity when they are able to decide for themselves which direction to take. Their innocence is corrupted when they yield to sinful desires. The Bible states that every person (Rom 3:23),, except one (Heb 4:14-15),, has succumbed to worldly temptations. Mankind did not inherit a sinful nature from Adam and Eve.

Romans 3:10-18 is cited as proof that mankind inherits a sinful nature. These verses are quotes taken from the Old Testament, notably the Psalms. Psalms 14:1-3. which states that “the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works , there is none that doeth good” is taken to mean that even babies are corrupt. Paul’s purpose in this chapter was to show to the Jews that they were as corrupt as the Gentiles to whom they felt superior (Rom 3:9). Corruption is a matter of choice of thought or action against God. David himself stated so in Psalm 14:1 “they have done abominable works” and in Ps 5:10,” for they rebelled against thee.” Babies are incapable of choosing to think or act against God.

Hebrew poetry is filled with figurative language. Psalm 51:5 states “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 58:3 describes the wicked as going astray from the womb. This is not a literal statement because babies are not born with the ability to speak. In Ps 139:14-15, David states “I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” In Ps 22:9-10, David says to God, “ but thou art he that took me out of the womb, thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb, thou art my God from my mother’s belly.” David’s emotions of grief or exultation are reflected in his poetry. Psalms uphold the belief that man is born good and without sin.

Babies and children are upheld as a model of purity in other Bible verses as well. In Matthew 19:14, Mark 10: 14-16 and Luke 18:16-17, Jesus extols children as an example of those who will enter the kingdom of God. Adults are to be converted and become like children. (Matt18:3) Paul tells the brethren to be like children in their lack of malice. (1 Cor 14:20) Malice is kakia in Greek and is defined as "badness in quality or the vicious character generally" in Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Strong's Comprehensive Concordance of the Bible further describes kakia as depravity.

A sinful nature is not inherited.

Mankind’s inherent nature has not changed since Adam and Eve’s. This couple only lacked the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen 2:17). Children too lack this knowledge. In Deuteronomy 1:34-39, God did not hold the children accountable for their parent’s decision of sinfulness. The nature that Eve demonstrated in the Garden (Gen 3:6) when she lusted for the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, exists now (1 John 2:16). Jesus had the same nature as us, but through His closeness and obedience to the Father as His Son, He did not give into the temptations that were very real in His life ( Matt 4:1-11; Heb 2:18). Even though babies are born sinless at birth, they can not return to the Garden of Eden because the tree of life is guarded by cherub with a flaming sword. (Gen 3:24). Death is the consequence of that original sin, not an inheritance of a nature in which there is no free will to choose good or evil for ourselves.

The original sin was an act of choice by Adam and Eve. It is not an inherited state of humanity. The psalms poetically describe mankind’s goodness from conception. New Testament passages of Jesus and Paul instruct us to be like children. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s choice of disobedience. (Rom 5:12) and through that sin, the consequence of death but human nature has been the same from the beginning, beings with free will.

“ Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Isaiah 7:15

Many Mansions

2008-10-17T17:04:00.014-06:00

John 14:2-5 "In my; Father's house are many mansions;if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also."

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:23-24 ..."if a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

Faith Only?

2007-11-24T08:43:00.002-07:00

Many denominations teach that a person is saved when he believes in Jesus, repents of his sins and asks Jesus into his heart. The most commonly used verse to prove this is John 3:16. Of course, faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of a Christian life, but we teach that belief is the beginning of the conversion process.
Let’s look at other verses from the book of John, John 8:24-36. In this passage, Jesus is talking to the scribes and Pharisees. He tells them if they do not believe in Him, they will die in their sins. As he spoke to them of the Father, many of these listeners believed in him. Jesus did not then say that they would not die in their sins because they now believed in Him. Instead, He said to those scribes and Pharisees that believed on Him, that they were to continue in His Word. Then they would know the Truth and the Truth would set them free. He goes on to explain to them that they were servants of sin. He said this to them, even though they believed in Him.
Romans 6:16-18 talks about being servants of sin. How is one set free from sin? Belief and repentance are a necessary part of the salvation plan but Romans 6: 3-7 states that the body of sin is crucified with Jesus in baptism. Baptism is an important part of the plan. This is the way through which one is set free from sin.

Into the Water

2007-10-12T19:59:00.001-06:00

Baptizo: Greek word meaning to make whelmed (ie. fully wet) ... especially of the ordinance of Christian baptism. Strong`s Concordance

In Acts 8: 26-39 is the story of the evangelist Philip telling the good news of Jesus to an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip met up with this man while he was reading a passage from Isaiah. The Ethiopian wanted these words explained to him. Philip did so adding the plan of salvation to his teaching:

v36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?"

v37 And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he replied, " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

v38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch , and he baptized him.

v39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more...

The Purpose of Baptism

2007-10-11T11:58:00.001-06:00

1. Baptism is the culmination of steps that a person takes when he desires to become a Christian. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom, Acts 8:12, a person either believes or rejects the Good News. Believing God’s Word enables that person to see that they are a sinner and have fallen short of the righteousness of God, Romans 3:23. This knowledge leads to repentance or a change in attitude towards sin and a commitment to live for Christ, Acts 17:30. Then a public declaration of a belief in Jesus as the Son of God in made, Acts 8:36-37, followed by baptism, Acts 8;38-39. Baptism is a commandment, Acts 10:48; Mark 16:16.

2. Baptism is more than a symbol as many denominations teach. Romans 6:3-5 states that baptism is an actual burial with Christ into His death. This is a spiritual burial where people wanting to become Christians come into contact with the blood of Christ. Jn 19:34; Rev 1:5; 7:14; Col 1:14.

3. It is after submission to Christ in baptism that a newness of life is possible, Romans 6:4-14. As Jesus was raised from the dead, a person is raised from the water into a new spiritual life as a Christian.

4. Baptism is for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38. Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sins through His death on the cross. It is in baptism into His death that forgiveness is received.

5. Baptism is for salvation, Mark 16:16; 1Peter 3:21. Many denominations teach that baptism in not essential to salvation and that salvation occurs upon belief only. They say that God’s grace alone saves. It is true that we can do nothing on our own to merit salvation but doing what God tells us to do is obedience and is required on our part, 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1Peter 4:17.

6. Baptism washes away our sins, Acts 22:16 which is a figurative way of stating that our sins are forgiven. (remission of sins)

7. People are born again through the water of baptism and the Holy Spirit, John 3:3-5.

8. It is through baptism that a person enters into Christ, Galatians 3:27 and becomes a part of His body, the church. 1Corinthian 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:41,47. It is in Christ that all spiritual blessings, especially eternal life, are found. Ephesians 1:3; 2Timothy 2:10.
It is in Christ, that we become a new creature, 2Cor 5:17.

The Difference

2007-08-04T11:46:00.002-06:00

As a child I believed that there is a God. His Son Jesus was born in a stable and died on a cross. If a person believed this and went to church and was really "good " he or she could eventually go to Heaven. This was my concept of Christianity well into my adulthood.

About fifteen years ago I was shown a more accurate concept of Christianity. I realized that there is a big difference between being a Christian and being someone with Christian beliefs. This clearer understanding was achieved in a rather simple way: what I thought was the truth was measured against what was actually written in the Bible. What really became clear to me was that a Christian was someone who made a real committment to God; not someone who generally agreed with and practised parts of the truth. A person who makes and lives by this committment can expect to eventually go to Heaven.This committment comes about by following the plan of salvation:

Hear the Word- Romans 10:17
Believe the Word- John 20: 30-31
Repent- 2 Corinthians 7: 10
Confess His Name- Matthew 10:32
Be baptized- Mark 16: 15-16
Remain faithful to the end- Matthew 24: 13

If you are reading this , haven`t followed the plan of salvation and still think you`re a Christian, please look up and read the following Scriptures. Heed these words that Jesus spoke:

Matthew 7: 21-27

Matthew 12: 30

John 14: 15, 21

Here are some other Scriptures to read concerning this post: James 2: 19-24; Mark 16: 15-16; 1 Timothy 1: 3-7; Matthew 10: 22; Revelation 21: 3-4.

The Search

2007-07-28T11:57:00.002-06:00

I thought I was a Christian all my life. I was baptized as a baby into the Catholic religion. I attended a Catholic school. I believed in Jesus and in everything else I was taught

Then someone read the Bible to me. The Words cut me to the heart because what was read was not what I was taught or practised. I came to trust those Words as I realized they were what would guide me to heaven. I finally left the church of my childhood.

It was during the process of leaving that I came in contact with a group of people that claimed to be the church of Christ. I had been studying the Bible prior to this time so when I heard their teachings, I studied it for myself.

After much difficulty, I was able to see that I was not saved. It didn’t matter that since a child I had believed that Jesus was the Son of God. I was still lost because I had not followed what the Bible says on how to become a Christian.

The Bible says that:
• I had to hear the Words of the Bible. Romans 10:17
• I had to believe that these Words were from God and that they were true. Hebrew 11:6
• I had to repent. I had to agree to change my life to suit God, not me. Acts 17:30
• I had to confess publicly that I believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Romans 10:9-10
• I had to be baptized into Christ, immersed into His death. Once, I did this, I became a Christian. I was in Christ. Galatians 3:27; 2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:3-5

I write this blog to share with you what I have learned from the Good Seed.