CITSOS Baptism Part 1 - 8/25/2024 - English

Good morning, so good to be back with you. It's good that we can join together and study a portion of God's word. We're using this book churches in the shape of scripture as a launching point for some discussions about what a new testament shape church. Should look like this morning. We're going to begin a three-part study on what salvation looks like in the shape of the New Testament. With a couple of overall series goals are series goals. Are that? We could persuade you that certain beliefs and practices of this assembly of Christ followers are biblically. We didn't pull them out of thin air. It's not because we like it this way, it's our preference or it's our tradition. But they are biblically informed convictions. We should be preserved and defended second we want to equip you all with the knowledge to persuasively explain those beliefs and practices to others. Because there's a theory that when sharing things with other people, when sharing what you believe and why you believe it, we want to increase your confidence. If we ain't give you the knowledge, the strategy some ways in which to talk about the things which we believe that you will feel in turn more confident. And will be more likely to share what you believe with other people. If we increase your confidence, we will increase your confidence and we will increase the number of people that you will share your beliefs with. Show me, the questions we get asked a lot is, how our Churches of Christ different. I guess that you've probably been asked that. We talked about what does different mean? Well, let's talk first about. What does different, not mean? Caleb mentioned a couple of these principles a few weeks ago but different does not mean that we think we are more sincere, more devoted or more dedicated in our service to God than any other church group. We may be different but it's not but we're not different because we think we're more sense to you or more devoted we're not different because we think we have more respect for the Bible is God's word another church groups. We don't think we're different because we're more christ-like in our thinking her behavior is another church groups. And the risk of a study like this, is that we start to affirm some of these biblically held convictions. These biblically inform conviction. And because we hold them, it starts to make us think that we're more sincere, more devoted or more dedicated than other people. We're not. Not.

But it doesn't really answer. The question of how are Churches of Christ different What people usually follow that question up with are you Catholic or you Orthodox or are you Protestant? And what they're trying to say is, is what what class are you a Christian? What division? What? What group give us a box. Give us something to fit you in so that we can understand more about you. well, I think if we go back to Jesus own words, In Matthew chapter 16 that we've also looked at in Mark fairly recently.

Jesus asked his disciples, who do people say that I am? And Simon Peter answered. You are the Christ. The Messiah, the king of Israel, the promised one, The Chosen One, the anointed one, the son of the Living God and Jesus said to him. Blessed are you Simon bar-jonah? Because Flesh and Blood did not reveal this to you. But my father who is in heaven, I also say to you that you are Peter and Upon This Rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overpower.

What Jesus is saying here, is that, Peter patros upon this paytra? I will build my church upon this small rock, this small confession, of faith in who I am this affirmation that, I am the one who has been sent to restore the world to God. Upon that confession, I will build my church.

The Assembly of people, who believe in follow me, they will have this in common that they confessed me as king. Jesus church, the church of the New Testament. The church that we are going to study the pattern of that church was pre Catholic. It was pre the state religion. Of Rome starting in the fourth Century by Constantine. This is 400 years before that.

Is a 300 years before that. It's free Orthodox. It's free that division. From the Catholic Church to protestantism. The Protestant Reformation occurred as a protest to the Catholicism in some of their doctrines. It's also pre denominational. The denominations that came from the Protestant Reformation. Jesus church was pre Catholic priest Orthodox, pre Protestant and pre denominational

And so our response, what makes the Church of Christ different? I'm just trying to be a Christian and belonging to the church in the New Testament. Unified One Church of Jesus.

Nothing more. Nothing less. So what you're saying is that Churches of Christ or non denominational, right?

Well, I might use a little bit different terminology non-denominational has sort of got its own connotation today. When we stay at churches, non-denominational all the times, what it means is that it is multi-denominational but people from different denominations are able to come and worship together and believe what they believe but not really Put or place any of those beliefs on anyone else. It. So I might say, rather than being nondenominational. I don't want to say that we're in Thai denominational because that makes it sound like we're adversarial to those other people who are trying to be in many ways sincere in their faith. But I would say that we are dealing on additional or undenominational

I would love nothing more than for the denominations of this world. The people who have divided Christ to unite

I would love nothing more for all of us to be able to say, we are not going to live siloed in our own little buildings in her own, little churches with our own little beliefs. But we are all going to Rally around the fact that we want to be part of Jesus church.

And you say, why are you so opposed to this idea of the nominations will? It's because they are absent from the New Testament. When you talk about the shape of scripture, nominations are absent and the New Testament over and over again, is appealing for Unity and condemning division in God's Church. You see in 1st Corinthians chapter, 1, Paul is riding to the Corinth church. I don't you brother by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one that you said, you believe the one that you said, you confess the one that you claim to follow. I exhort you that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you. But did you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment? I've been informed concerning you, my brother and buy clothes people that their quarrels among you. Now, I mean this, each one of you is saying I'm appalled, appalled, as I've cephas, I priced

All is not crucified for you. Was he or you baptized in the name of Paul? CC Christ has not been divided. So why is his church divided? Why are you quarreling? Why are you saying I am? Appalled. I am of Apollo side of the seat beside of Christ. Why are there divisions? Why did those divisions continue today that I am of the Pope or I am most certainly and I am of Justin Martyr. I am of Calvin. I am of Luther I am. A is winglee. I am of Campbell, I am a stone. Was Christ, invited. Were you baptized in the name of any of those people? Were any of those people, the name upon which you made a confession that they were the son of God. Jesus says it himself in his high Priestly prayer. In John chapter 17, he says I do not ask on behalf of these alone but for those also who believed in me through their word, spelling is talking to God and he staying for my disciples. I'm asking all of these things but also for the people that they will teach and they will bring to me, he was talking about us today, he saying that they may all be one. Even as you father are in me and I in you that they may be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. Jesus in his own words. Wants us to all be one, one with one, another, one with him, and one with the father in the spirit.

There's no room for divisions. There's no room for corals. There's no room for denominations because we all are to be one with him and the Father in Heaven. It's a, we Embrace this principle of restoration. That God sent Jesus to restore and make one a people for him.

So, why this goal of restoration will God is always giving his people instructions for life. From the time, Adam and Eve were created in the garden to today. God, gives his instructions and he has demanded total obedience from his people. But the problem that we keep running into that, you run into in high run to every day, is that people don't always carry out. The true will of God do that.

And I am convinced that when the doctrine of God is lost that God wants that Doctrine restored. K-LOVE gave an example of the Festival of booze. A couple weeks ago and other people had let it lapse and they they kind of stopped celebrating this and when they realized it they said we're going to do it and we're going to do it now. God wants these things to be restored. In other words, he wants his people to once again. Start doing what he originally told him to do. It's just like, any parent. you don't want us to tell your kid over and over and over again to do the thing you originally told him to do Go clean your room.

Don't leave anything on the floor. Every time you do that. You tell him, hey, I want you to, I don't want anything on your floor, you know, me times. I go to Clara's room and clothes and toys and stuff everywhere. All the time. You have to constantly be in. This mindset of restoration.

She knows what the expectation is and she knows how she supposed to do it. But it takes a constant restoration to go back to what she was originally told to do.

God wants his people to start doing what he originally told them to do. So, I need to be part of a Restoration Church. Well, It's what we don't believe or maybe what I'm afraid some do believe in restoration churches. I'm afraid that some believe that God's will was finally and perfectly discern in the early 1800s by a few well-intentioned people.

We don't believe that.

Alexander Campbell was not perfect. Martin Stone was not perfect, the churches that they created. We're not perfect. But I got a heart.

Restoration.

Russell, don't believe the divisions that arose from any movement. Particularly the restoration movement have more perfectly discern, God's will. The point that a restoration church is is that people believe that God is the god of restoration. And at every church and every Christ follower in every time. And every place must be characterized by a heart of restoration, to ensure that God's will is being taught. And on the way it was originally intended.

Every single Church in every single Christ follower on this planet has the same responsibility.

And they must be characterized by a heart of restoration. Working for the will of God and that be it be taught and done the way he intended.

So, I need to be perfect duration search. What I'm saying is we want to be part of the one universal assembly of Christ followers who are characterized by a heart committed to the restoration of God's plan Purpose with people.

We want our heart committed to the restoration of God's plan and purpose for his people.

We all need to be part of a heart of restoration church and the question that you have to ask yourself is do you see that here? Do you see it in other Church?

Where do you find like-minded people with hearts for restoration?

Well. The Restoration Church, a church with a heart of restoration, it began on the day of Pentecost. It began on a day after Jesus had ascended back into heaven, after he had been resurrected and he appeared to his Apostles, and two others into five hundred people at one time, on the day of Pentecost, people are gathered in Jerusalem. And Peter gets up before them and acts chapter 2 and he gives the first sermon. I'm at the sinfulness of man in the righteousness of God and how the righteousness of God has been made manifest to all of creation through Jesus. God's only son. And it how these Israelites through their pride and arrogance. And fear. Crucified, this Jesus. The Lord and Christ. Does a 36 to summarize, everything. He had just told me. What all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him before it in Christ. This Jesus whom you crucified?

When they heard this. They were pierced of the heart and said to Peter in the rest of the Apostles, brother, what shall we do?

What should we do?

Reminders. Cease. Drunkards.

We're sexually immoral.

Know, if we contributed.

Did the crucifixion of the Son of God? We have led a rebellion. Against God's plan and purpose. What can we do to restore ourselves to fellowship with the creator of the universe? What can we do to be saved from our Rebellion. That is deserving. I'll be cast into outer Darkness. Separated from that Creator. What can we do to restore? Ourselves.

Peter said to them, repent. And each of you be baptized In the name of the one you crucified. For the Forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

To those who received his word were baptized. And they were added that day about three thousand Souls.

3000 people on that day. Decided to follow Jesus. To confess him as the Messiah. The one true Son of God.

They were added that day. And the Lord was adding to their number day-by-day, those who were being saved. Do you see the connection between repentance and baptism? In Salvation. And being added to the Church of Christ.

They were added to the church.

They were added to the book. Salvation. They were being saved. Answer the questions, we need to ask over the coming weeks. What conditions do those 3000 conference on the day of Pentecost have to meet before God, save them and added them to his church? And in the days that followed Pentecost, when new people were being saved and added to Jesus church everyday, what conditions did those people have to meet before? God save them and out of them to the church. And what exactly do we have to do before? God will save us and at us to Jesus church? Well, I think there's a pretty straightforward answer that applies to all three of those groups of people. But our answer, these questions reveal the most important difference, you'll find between Churches of Christ and most other Evangelical groups. Here's our answer. Where's that begins with a confessed belief. You got to be pierced to the heart that Jesus is. The son of God. Just like those people on the day of Pentecost, who realize their contribution to the crucifixion. You have to believe that you are rebelling Senior Center and alienated from God and that God loves you and he wants to restore you to Fellowship, but of your own Merit, you are completely helpless that you are never going to be able to work your way back into his good graces. And the only way to do that is for someone to be a substitute. For someone to come and take your place and take your punishment for you. It begins with a confession of belief that Jesus is not substitute. That Jesus is the one who is bridge. That Gap who is taking you from helpless rebellious sinner And restored. You to Fellowship a gun? 2nd and continues with repentance. It means that all the things that have characterized your life up until this point, all the things that have made you a rebel and a sinner and alienated from God. You have to decide I'm not going to do those things anymore.

I'm not going to choose my plan in my purpose, for my life, but I'm going to choose God and let him take control.

It's saying to God, I'm going to reply my Reliance and my trust completely in you. It's been rooted in selfishness and self-centeredness, it's been rooted in sin, it's been rooted in all the things and pleasures of this life. I've been relying on to try and give me what I need more than anything, and I'm not going to do it anymore. when a plant myself in you, And what you feed me? And nourish me and grow me. What I mean?

Here's where we are different. We affirm today and everyday. Your salvation. Your addition to the Church of Christ.

Your individual forgiveness of sin and gift reception of the holy spirit is completed in baptism.

And that makes us different. We believe it is the occasion. The time and place that God works, his saving work on you, where he meets us in our faith. We're his power raises us out of the water. Is a new creation, a new creature to walk in New Life.

Answer the question that people always want the Hound us with. Is it really necessary for salvation? We affirm yes. We look at some of the other denominations of the world and we see different types of literature. We see different tracks. Many of them look like this one. This is one that Dan Chambers found in some of his travels. He says, You must place your complete faith in Jesus Christ. Absolutely. Your entire trust, your entire Reliance repentance. Is turning to him and saying, all of my trust is in you, Jesus.

and if you really believe that Jesus Christ Alone can save you, Yeah, he is. It is in Christ alone that we are saved. Justin praying, ask him. From this brochure is it skips from chapter 4 to chapter 10. The Book of Romans when Paul is riding in his lengthy narrative, he is assuming in chapter 6, everyone he was riding too has been baptized

It's a foregone conclusion.

It's an assumption. Because there were no other people who were part of the church, other than those, who had been baptized and resurrected to New Life In Christ. In the back of her. Sure, it gives you what we know or have heard as a prayer to pray for an internal choice.

We are different.

And some people say you just have to pick your battles and that's great advice for a lot of things. We have to ask ourselves. Is this really a belief? We need to dig a foxhole in fight to the death over. Well, I'm not looking to fight to the death over it. But I also am not willing to meet someone halfway.

Are we in Churches of Christ stubbornly clinging to a belief that we should be willing to move away from for the sake of D for Unity? The Bible leaving bible-believing friends who reject his belief I don't think so.

Cousin, Luke chapter 7, John has affirmed. That Jesus is the Lamb of God. And Jesus responds by saying I tell you among those born of women, no one is greater than John. But the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. In all the people including the tax collectors heard this, they knowledge God's way of righteousness because they have been baptized with John's baptism. You see the tax, collectors are the worst of the worst through the center's. They're the ones that in this Society everyone looks down on for their unrighteousness.

And portable John was sent to do, was to prepare the way to turn people's hearts toward God to give them and show them and teach them about repentance.

But it was also introduced this idea of baptism. To introduce this idea that being washed in water can cleanse you of your sin.

The unrighteous. It. They acknowledge God's way of righteousness.

Because they've been baptized. Alibris the Pharisees, the experts in the law. The ones who were considered righteous. They had not been baptized fine. They refused it, they didn't want any part of it, that's for all those peasants. That's real, those good-for-nothing. Nobody's. That's where all those unrighteous people. but it says that they rejected God's plan for themselves,

are you willing to denounce? The clear teaching scripture baptism is the time and place of God, seating work being conferred on to us.

Are you so willing? Are you willing to denounce that teach you? At the risk of rejecting God's plan of righteousness for you.

I'm not. Hope you're not either. Because it's gone is join baptism in Salvation together.

Then I simply cannot separate them. Any reason.

There's a principal in the Old Testament that when God makes a promise and there is a condition attached to it. That people are expected to obey that condition. If you know much about Joshua chapter 6, it's the story of the people of Israel about to be given the city of Jericho by got this great fortified City. This is no Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel, no one went out. And no one came in the Lord said to Joshua. See, I've given Jericho in your hand, with its king in the Valiant Warriors March around the city, all the men of War circling the city once you shall do. So, for six days, also 7, pre-show carry, seven trumpets for a Ram's horns before the ark. Then on the seventh day you shall March around the city. 7 times in the pre-show blow the trumpets, they shall be that when they make a long blast with the Rams Horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people. Shout with a great shout in the wall of the city will fall down flat and the people will go up every man. Straight ahead.

Let me ask you something.

What is the Israelites and we marched around the city 6 times on the 7th day. Instead of 7,

you think God still would have brought down the Walls.

What is, what is the priest said? No, I don't have a ranch one laying around. I don't like the sound of the round Rams won. I prefer a flute.

what, what is, what is the people had said after the sixth day be enough, We're close enough. We got the majority of it, right?

with the walls of Jericho been brought down,

Another question was it the shouting? Were they so loud? The walls fell down? What's the Ram's Horn so blaring that the walls fell down. Did their marching of their feet shave the Earth so much that the walls fell down.

No.

I don't think anyone can honestly say that, if the people of Israel had, not follow God's plan for his promise. He would have laughed them. Standing there with the walls, still standing.

Now, 99.9% of people when presented with the story are probably going to agree with you that. Yeah, you're probably right. They hadn't done what God told him to do. If I hadn't trusted God's plan, I probably wouldn't receive God's promise.

It's critical to meet every condition God attaches to a promise. Insisting that. All of God's conditions are met. Is not a sign of legalism. The sign of faith and trust. Do you see that?

I don't believe those people marched around seven times on the seventh day because they said we have to do this and it's our feet marching around this thing. That's going to bring it down and it's our blaring and are shouting that's going to bring the walls down. Know they trusted that if they did what God told them God would take care of it for them. It was God that brought down the walls of Jericho. But it is also the people's faith. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down. After they have been encircled for 7 days.

We have. To trust. God's plan.

If we want to receive his promise.

Like, I promised to give the Israelites Victory Jericho, his promise to save us from our sins through Jesus. Blood comes with conditions attached. And if he made baptism one of those conditions then no one has the authority to dismiss it for any reason. so, those who received his word were baptized, Never added that day. Three thousand Souls.

Because a heart of restoration. Trust and obey. They will trust God's plan.

And they will obey God's plan. Because they want to receive promise.

That was the heart of the people, on the day of Pentecost. We tell Peter Peter, we want to be restored. We want to be brought back into fellowship with the god of the universe.

In the people everyday after that, who were being added day-by-day to Christchurch? And those who were being saved, they wanted restoration for themselves and for this world.

They would trust and obey.

cuz I forgot it, but

This morning, we have an opportunity. The offer and invitation. Because I know there are people here today with parts for restoration. They care about people in our community, they care about people in this world. They want to help restore this world to what they know it can be. Put God's plan for it, has always intended it to be.

And maybe there's some here today, who are confessing their belief, that Jesus is there substitute in that restoration and rescue plan. Jesus has come to take the wrath of God on our behalf.

In order to restore our fellowship with him. And maybe there's some here who are realizing how helpless they are and without repentance without turning to God and begging him to plant you in him. What your tree draw nourishment from him? You know that you are helpless to ever be restored to a relationship with him. And if you have that heart of restoration,

what else is there to do? But trust and obey.

We're about to seeing the invitation song to trust and obey. There's no other way. Happy in Jesus.

but to trust and obey,

That trust that obedience.

All comes together in a moment in baptism. Where your old self? It's put to death and you were trusting that God is going to raise you up as a new creature, and you will do anything. It takes to be obedient to him, not just in being baptized everything you do for the rest of your life.

You trust and you obey.

So this morning, if you have not been baptized

And you have a heart of restoration. Time to trust and obey.

Time to let God perform his saving work in you. To bring you to New Life as a new creature. Christ.

Plan for righteousness for you.

Cuz he wants you to be just like his son. And just like his son, he wants to be one with you.

Have to trust God's plan for the one to receive his promise.

So trust and Obey, you plan. Do you have any need this morning? Come now while we stand when we sing