• Ken Leach–”Finding the Right Nest: Finding My Place in the Church”; Friday, March 26 at 7PM
• Sam Matthews–”The Early Bird Gets the Worm: Choosing a Career & Giving to God”; Saturday, March 27 at 10AM
• Derek Long–”Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Christian Friendships”; Saturday, March 27 at 11AM
• Ken Leach–”Soaring Above the Clouds: A Word To Youth”; Saturday, March 27 at 2:15PM

Download the 2010 Youth Lectureship Flyer to hand out to your friends, family, co-workers, classmates and neighbors. Ken Leach will also be speaking Sunday morning and evening on “How To Get Along With People.”

• Survey Chart
• Introduction
• Chapter One
• Seven Churches Chart
• Chapters 2-3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6

• Life of Christ lesson 1
• Life of Christ lesson 2
• Life of Christ lesson 3
• Life of Christ lesson 4
• Life of Christ lesson 5
• Life of Christ lesson 6
• Life of Christ lesson 7
• Life of Christ lesson 8
• Life of Christ lesson 9
• Life of Christ lesson 10
• Life of Christ Lesson 11
• Life of Christ Lesson 12
• Life of Christ Lesson 13
• Life of Christ Lesson 14
• Life of Christ Lesson 15
• Life of Christ Lesson 16
• Life of Christ Lesson 17
• Life of Christ Lesson 18
• Life of Christ Lesson 19
• Life of Christ Lesson 20

• Pattern Churches by Jason Cheney

Churches choose from any number of different identities for themselves. They can be the “reverent church;” the “traditional church;” or the “friendly church.” However, to please God, they must above all be known as “pattern churches.”

• A Christian’s Personal Responsibility: Evangelism by Kameron Franklin
• PowerPoint presentation

• Your Target Commitment in Your Christian Life by Nathan Shropshire

They believe those born into Jewish households could be circumcised in anticipation of the Jewish faith in which they would be raised, therefore those in the New Testament, those born in Christian households, can be baptized (sprinkled) in anticipation of the Christian faith in which they will be raised.

One biblical text that certain advocates of infant baptism frequently cite to support this position is Colossians 2:10-12:

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

First, there is neither precept nor precedent for the modern practice of infant baptism in all the scriptures, and in fact, this practice is in violation of the scriptures. The historic record apparently offers no clear proof of such practice prior to about 256 A.D., when it is known to have been observed in North Africa. “It was in the early centuries exclusively reserved for sick and infirm persons too weak to be submitted to immersion. There is evidence to show that those who received the rite in this form were somewhat despised” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Revised Edition under Baptism, Aspersion).

The Bible word “baptize” means to immerse. Thayer’s lexicon on BAPTIZO says, “to dip, immerse, and submerge.” There are other Greek words for “sprinkle” (RANTIZO) or “pour” (CHEO). Had God wanted to authorize these, the words were available, but instead He chose a word that never means sprinkle or pour.

Paul settled the issue when he said, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12; cf. also Rom. 6:3-5). Even Martin Luther urged, in opposition to the standard practice of pouring, that baptism should be by immersion. He pointed out that the word in the Greek language means “To plunge something entirely into the water, so that the water closes over it,” and urged that immersion should be the mode of baptism (A Compend of Luther’s Theology, p. 167, via Handbook of Religious Quotations, p. 11).

The practice was perpetuated and finally dogmatized by the Roman Catholic Church. This unscriptural rite is also seen in many Protestant churches, who inherited it from their Roman ancestors. While the leaders of the Reformation can generally be credited with zeal toward scriptural compliance in matters of doctrine, their tendency was to neglect the scriptures in matters of church practice, opting instead for the vain traditions of men (Mark 7:5-13).

And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Mark 7:6-7).

Second, we are convinced no one would have ever seen such a thing in this text had they been reading it through unsoiled glasses. Their argument is manifestly erroneous at several points. If baptism replaced circumcision, then why are they both still in force in this text? Paul wrote, “ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God.”

An examination of the full context shows that the timing of the circumcision and baptism are relative to the words, “And ye are complete in him.” That is, they were circumcised and baptized as of the time they were complete in him.

Nowhere in Colossians 2:11-12 (nor anywhere else in the Bible) do we learn that “baptism replaces circumcision” In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he merely stated that when they became Christians they were “circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh” (2:11). Paul mentioned circumcision, but only to make the point that when the Colossians obeyed the Gospel, they were circumcised spiritually. It is a circumcision of the heart and is performed by the Spirit (Rom 2:29).

The practice of sprinkling the infant is clearly condemned by this scripture because it speaks of being buried with Him in baptism, thereby demanding immersion. “The covenant of circumcision” (Acts 7:8) was confined to descendants of Abraham, and Jacob, and those converted to Judaism (Gen. 17:12-13; Ex. 12:48), but baptism was commanded for all nations (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15). Circumcision was confined to males; baptism is for both males and females (Gal. 3:26-28).

The NIV weakens the argument for infant baptism when it says “…raised with him through your faith in the power of God,” because a baby cannot be taught and thereby believe or have faith. Paul says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Jesus told his Apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19). This text shows who is to be baptized: It is someone who had been taught. We are to teach first, then baptize next.

Jesus also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk 16:16). Again, a person is to believe first, then be baptized next.

Accordingly, those converted on the day of Pentecost gladly received the word and were then baptized (Acts 2:36-41). Further, Philip gave the Ethiopian eunuch the condition for being baptized: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:37). Philip obviously presented this as a necessary condition. If the eunuch had not believed with all his heart, then he could not have been baptized.

Under the New Testament when a person has been taught the gospel, believes that Jesus is the Christ, repents of his/her sins, and is baptized for the remission of sins, then in the act of baptism God performs surgery by cutting off the old man of sin by spiritual circumcision in the process of cleansing one by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Do you have a question about the Bible or Christianity? Send it to us and the answer may be posted as a Question of the Week.

• Salvation: What Must I Do To Be Saved by Guy Roberson
• sermon outline
• PowerPoint presentation

Calvinism teaches that all humans have inherited a corrupt spiritual nature due to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Due to this marred and perverse nature, the human heart is desperately deceitful, and man’s nature is therefore evil, according to Calvinism. This doctrine is referred to as “total depravity.” Due to this inherited spiritual depravity, babies are born with a corrupt nature and therefore are in a “lost” state. The only way for babies to be saved is for them to be one of “the elect”—a predetermined few whom God arbitrarily decided to save while condemning all others. Hence, free will does not enter into the question of salvation according to them. The Calvinist maintains that people cannot choose to receive salvation but must wait for the direct operation of the Holy Spirit to save them.

The prophet Ezekiel stated the very opposite of Calvinism:

The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself (Ezek 18:20 NASB).

Jesus also demonstrated the spiritually safe condition of children when He stated:

Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:3-4 NASB).

Adults must become like children if they wish to be saved! Children can hardly be spiritually depraved! Jesus also said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt 19:14-15 NASB). If, at conception, God forms “the spirit of man within him,” (Zech. 12:1), why would anyone wish to insist that man’s spirit is corrupt.

The Bible clearly teaches that people are responsible for their own actions, not for those of their ancestors. Sin is a willful act of rebellion against God on the part of an individual (Rom. 3:19-23; cf. Rom. 14:12). Clearly, an infant or young child is not capable of such a willful act of transgressing God’s law (I Jno. 3:4). At this point, one must be careful not to confuse bad behavior on the part of children with sin. Such behavior does not indicate that a young child has knowingly sinned against God. Children cannot be accountable for their actions until they have a knowledge of good and evil, until they know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

Jacob and Esau had no original sin; they did not sin with Adam when he transgressed. We know this because they were not sinners while in the womb of their mother, Rebecca. Paul wrote, “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth” (Rom 9:11 KJV). Since the Bible says Jacob and Esau had done nothing good or evil up to this time, we must assume that they became moral agents at some later time, after they were born. There are numerous verses like this in the Bible which show the doctrine of original sin to be false, and which also teach, either directly or indirectly, the doctrine of an “age of accountability.” Let us look at some of them.

When Noah came out of the Ark and built an altar to God and offered sacrifice to God, we read:

And the LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done” (Gen 8:21 NASB).

As Moses was telling the Israelites that they would not go into the Promised Land he said:

Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them, and they shall possess it (Deut 1:39 NASB).

God did not hold the children accountable for the sins committed by their parents because they had no knowledge of good and evil. A small child doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong. The child is dependent upon his or her parents to guide him or her in doing the right thing. Such is illustrated by Israel’s rebellion against God in the wilderness.

Likewise, God declared that the King of Tyre, like everyone else, had come into the world without guilt, but had become sinful due to his own choices. “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezek 28:15 NKJV). Paul tells us when iniquity is found in us. “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” (Rom 6:16 NASB). One becomes responsible when one is able to choose to serve sin (Satan).

The Bible doesn’t speak of a particular age when a child becomes knowledgeable of good and evil because it varies from child to child. To exercise this choice, one must be able to make certain distinctions. One must be aware they have chosen to do wrong and be able to repent of that rebellious lifestyle and therefore stand in need of salvation. This requires the ability of transferring trust to Jesus as their Savior and Lord and being willing to pattern their life after the example of Christ (Rom. 10:9-14). It should be obvious that an infant or young child cannot make these distinctions and therefore cannot be responsible for making such choices.

Interestingly, Jesus determined that He needed to be about His Father’s business at the age of 12. At this age, His Father’s will was more important to Him than the will of His parents (Luke 2:41-52). In Jewish law and tradition, a boy who turns thirteen is known as a Bar Mitzvah (“one to whom the commandments apply”), and is from that point obligated to fulfill Jewish commandments. Similarly, a girl who reaches the age of twelve is known as a “Bat Mitzvah”. The general practice among Conservative and Reform Jews is to mark this event with a religious service essentially the same as that held for boys. Also, in modern culture, a thirteen-year old Jew is not truly treated as an adult (for example, in Israeli law, as in that of most other countries, he or she is still considered a minor for several additional years).

There comes a time in the life of each child when that boundary of responsibility to God is crossed. A child invariably sins (Romans 3:23) and stands in need of Christ. However, it is impossible to set a particular age when this will occur. Indeed, each child will vary in reaching that time. Various factors influence spiritual maturing. Since children mature at different rates, some will be spiritually aware at a younger age. They also receive a varied religious education because of parents, teachers, and other significant adults to whom they are exposed. Children exposed to television and other modern technology will mature at a faster rate because of the teaching ability of such technology.

Of course, some never reach the age of accountability. Some are born with mental handicaps that leave them child-like throughout their lives. Nehemiah speaks of an assembly of those able to understand (Nehemiah 8:2-3). However, most come to understand their responsibility to live right during their teenage years.

Here are some questions to ask in order to help you determine if your child is ready, from an article by Matt Hennecke and Al Diestelkamp published in Sentry Magazine, September, 2005:

1. Is your child only afraid of going to hell at night? Or, do they express their fears and need during the light of day as well? Someone truly convicted will have concerns beyond the “night fears” that are common to children.
2. Does your child want to put off getting baptized until some future day–at worship, for instance? If so, then they may not see the urgency of baptism. Someone truly convicted will not want to delay (Acts 22:16).
3. How long have they discussed the subject? Do they bring it up on their own or is it prompted by you or some other event (like someone else being baptized)? We need to be wary of the “bandwagon” effect.
4. What sins do they claim to have committed? Have them write down all the reasons they feel they should be baptized. Keep their reasons for some future date when they may question whether they were baptized for the right reason.
5. Ask them what would have been the Ethiopian’s reaction if Philip said he could NOT be baptized (Acts 8:36)? If they realize he would have had to had it done anyway, then ask them, “What if I said ‘no’ to you about being baptized?” Do they feel as if they would have to do it anyway? Are they willing to do God’s will before their parent’s will?
6. Ask them, “how will your life be different when you become a Christian?” Do they have an “old man of sin” they need to crucify (Romans 6:6)?

Do you have a question about the Bible or Christianity? Send it to us and the answer may be posted as a Question of the Week.

• Salvation: A Future Experience by Guy Roberson
• sermon outline
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