RELIGION GOD SAYS Baptism: Arguments answered - Part 5 Continued From Page 5B Baptism saves us because we are doing what God has told us to do. We do not earn our salvation by being immersed; as I have said and shown in Scriptures be- fore, we cannot earn our salvation. However, there are things we must do to re- ceive God's free gift. If there was nothing whatso- ever we had to do, then all men would be saved. We know from Scriptures that this is not the case, and therefore something is re- quired of us. By adding together the sum of God's Word on this topic (Psalms 119:160), we find that be- lief, repentance, confes- sion, baptism, and a faithful life of service are required of us by God, not to earn our salvation, but to receive the benefits of it. These are all "works," in the sense that they are actions, but not works in the sense of earning our salvation. You cannot pick and choose which of these commands you follow and throw the rest out; it is an all-or-noth- ing venture. Even belief (faith), which many people claim is not a work, is a work according to John 6:27-29. It is not a work that earns salvation, but coupled with the other re- quirements gives us access to the benefits of salvation. James 2:17, in fact the whole chapter, proves to us that more is required than simple belief in Christ. I have always found it sad, and hard to under- stand, why so many people have no problem believing, repenting, and confessing Christ, but then put up such a fight when it comes to baptism, that last step in which we truly begin to re- ceive the benefits of God's * Fall Festival at Church of the Nazarene There will be lots of games, candy, bounce house and more at the Fall Festi- val at the Live Oak Church of the Nazarene Sunday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. For children up to the age of 12. Come and enjoy the fun! The church is located at 915 S. Church Ave. Pine Level Baptist Church If you are visiting and you are not a member of our Church family, we welcome you to become a member by profession of faith, by letter or by statement. Announcements Fall Revival begins first week in November with Rev. Gordon Keller as evangelist (former Pastor at First Baptist in Branford) 7 p.m. * Monday, November 1 - Beulah Baptist Church * Tuesday, November 2- Pine Level Baptist Church * Wednesday, November 3 - Orange Baptist Church * Thursday, November 4 - Mt. Gilead Baptist Church * Friday, November 5 - Dowling Park Baptist Church Also Pine Level will having Old Fashion Day, Sunday, November 7, lunch to follow morning services. grace. If God has told us that baptism is necessary to be saved (and He has: Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21, and many others), why do you fight it? It's just one more little thing that God has commanded of us to do to be saved! Don't come so close to the Kingdom of Heaven, only to lose it be- cause you didn't fully obey God! This concludes the main arguments that I have heard against baptism. I pray that you consider all of these Scriptures and what they have to say about bap- tism. Just because the vast majority of those who be- lieve in Christ say that bap- tism is not essential does not make them right. In fact, we are told, "Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Don't be one of the condemned majority; be one of the saved minority. I pray you consider following God and being added to His church. Join me next time as we look at what God says. Eric M1It,,..\. is a mem- ber of the Mt. Olive Church of Christ and has lived in Suwannee County all of his life. You can email him at . i, -,... -,'\. 'hotmail.co m with questions or com- ments. He's paid to do that! David H Matier Doctor of Pastoral C, ., .. 1':.. . dmatier@windstream.net All too often church members pile everything on the pastor. They feel that since he is paid he is supposed to visit the sick, win the lost etc. - and then be well prepared to deliver three or more messages a week! Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that the responsibility of the church is negated when they call a pastor. The deacons take care of those in need (not lord it over the pastor) allow- ing the pastor to give himself "...to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4). But even though your church has a pastor and deacons (or elders, depending on the type of church gov- ernment) it still doesn't exclude you from the re- sponsibility of you part! The Great Commission was given to the church - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Father. and the Son and the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19, 20). If you have been saved, baptized and you are a member of a local church - you have as much re- sponsibility as your pas- tor for carrying out the Great Commission! "...ALL ye people...work: for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:4). Things get done when God's people work to- gether with the Lord. In Nehemiah 4:6, the Bible says, "...the people had a mind to work" and the re- sult was "the wall (repair- ing the wall of Jerusalem) was finished in...fifty and two days" (Nehemiah 4:15). They accom- plished a great task in a short time because they were willing to do their part! Follow us on FACEBOOK White Springs RIVER RALLY &FESTIVAL Located where CR 136 meets US 41 at blinking light by Adams Country Store October 30, 2010 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Car, Motorcycle & Tractor Show Arts & Crafts * Food Vendors Entertainment by the Willow Creek Band For information call Wendell at 386-963-1157 or e-mail wendellsnowden @ prodigy.net Partially sponsored by the Town of White Springs, First Federal Bank, American 2 Pawn Brokers, The Jasper News, Kilgore's Repair Shop and Interstate Recycling. * SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 PAGE 8B m *A