In this issue
The Gift of Faith
Let’s learn about giving the gift of faith to God. The Bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) If you want to please God, believe that He exists and that He rewards those who come to Him. It is not too difficult to believe these two things. Don't you feel sad when others don't believe in you? Everyone likes to be trusted by others. God also likes to be trusted by people. The reason why you can't believe in God is because you are not close to Him. The reason why you are not close to Him is because you don't read the Bible, you don't pray, you do not draw near to God, and you only make friendship with people and the world. From now on, get close to God, and you will benefit greatly.
Knowing is not owning
Craving for mother's milk
One of the signs that a baby being born is alive is the craving for the mother's milk. A newborn baby that does not seek its mother's milk is probably dead. Similarly, one of the signs of being born again by the Spirit is a hunger for the Word, ie. the Bible, which is the food of the Spirit. Peter wrote, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1-3). If you never had a desire to hear, to know, and to read the Word, you have not been born of the Spirit. You have only heard and known about salvation. If that is the case, you are not saved, and if you die, you will go to hell.
Eternal Life
John wrote that a person who is saved must know that he has eternal life. “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) Eternal life is a life that will continue to live in heaven. The Bible says that life in hell is eternal death. The spirit will also live in hell. However, it is called eternal death because it is separated from God forever. Do you believe that you have eternal life? If you are not sure, it is probably because you have not received it. Hunger is felt because there is no food in the stomach. Everyone who is healthy knows that he is hungry. Hunger can make a person irritable and easily angered. After eating, he knows that he is full. When he is full, he is happy and become full of strength. Likewise, he who has eternal life experiences joy, self-assurance, and hope. Are you certain that you have eternal life? If not, I urge you to receive it as soon as possible. Or else it could be too late.
Watch with full strength
According to the words of the Lord above, the fig tree, the State of Israel, has already put forth its leaves. After losing its way in 70AD, the nation of Israel was reestablished in 1948, and is now growing rapidly. Therefore, the time of the Great Tribulation referenced here as "Summer" is coming.
"All these things will happen before this generation passes away." The generation (the present generation) is the people who see the restoration of the State of Israel. They will be now between the ages of seventy and ninety. Before all of them die, the Kingdom of God will be established. Therefore, we must be aware that the end time is very near.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Jesus said that his words are more permanent than heaven and earth. That is because he is God, and heaven and earth were created by his word. The reason people do not believe God's word is because they are ignorant (or should we say, "dumb"?)
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap." The Lord Jesus warned us to be careful. But there were many who did not listen to him and did not pay attention. He said that while our hearts were weighed down with dissipation and the cares of this world, that day would come upon us suddenly. Now is not the time to give priority to food. There are many diseases in the food we eat. Lack of knowledge in what we eat could lead to having diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, and kidney diseases. Let us avoid animal fats and sweets. It is time to surrender our lives to God so that worldly concern will not overwhelm us. We should not think or do things that will weigh our hearts down. We should be careful as though we were about to go abroad or go on a wedding.
"That day will close on you suddenly like "a trap" or a "fishing net." The net catches fish and birds. Once caught, there is no way to escape. Many people are now caught in the pursuit of money, pleasures and desires, and worldly things. You need to live in the way of God so that you will not get caught.
"...that you may be counted worthy to escape all that is to come, and to be presented before the Son of Man" means "... that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Only then will you and those who come to the wedding feast be able to rejoice. Similarly, if you are busy with worldly affairs when Jesus the heavenly bridegroom comes, you will not be able to welcome him joyfully.
Therefore, husbands and wives should be careful not to quarrel between them. They should also avoid quarreling with their children.
Also in the church, people should be careful not to do things that will cause disagreements and to block things that will allow Satan to enter.
Since we cannot do it with our own strength, let us wait for the coming of the Lord by praying, reading the Bible, witnessing to others who need to hear, and helping others.
The cursed and the blessed
In the Old Testament, the word trust is used instead of faith, In the New Testament, the word faith is used instead of trust. In the above verses, God says that those who do not trust Him, those who do not believe, are cursed. The person who does not trust in Him is said to be like a tree growing in a dry field (a bush in the book of Hebrew). He is said to live in a salt land where no one lives. Salt is necessary for people, but if there is too much of it, it is not suitable for people to live in because no plant can grow in it. God made the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into salt land when He destroyed them. Therefore, the garden of the Lord in the days of Lot was as green as the land of Egypt, but to this day it is a dry place, uninhabited. That is what it is said to be to those who do not believe and trust in the Lord.
But those who trust in the Lord are the ones who receive blessings. Are you such a person? The one who relies on God will be like a tree growing by the river. Even in a drought, its roots drink the water of the river, so it does not know that the heat is coming, its leaves do not wither, and it does not have to worry about the drought, but it always bears fruit. When trees receive water from their roots, they do not know that the sun is hot, and the hotter the sun, the more the leaves cook food and become greener. The one who relies on God will also smile and be happy even when there is trouble. The tree that bears fruit in its due time does not imply that it bears fruit at any time. It means the tree bears fruit at its own time. It means that it achieves success when the time is right. Therefore, whether a person is blessed or cursed does not depend on God, but on man. Although God can bless, he does not bless those who do not rely on him as much as he should. But to the one who relies on God, whether young or old, talented or not, God is ready to bless him. Do you want to be that kind of person who is blessed by God? Whether you are blessed depends on the choice you make. If you trust God, you will be blessed.
Trust in God rather than in rulers
The psalmist said, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9). Everyone wants to trust in powerful rulers. They pride themselves on their connection to elites or access to influence, and rely on them. But rulers are also human, and their power is limited. God is unlimited in power and ability. But most people trust in men rather than in God. Whom do you trust?
Faith as Small as Mustard Seed
Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. If you have faith, nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) Jesus gave great power to those who believe in Him. Faith as small as a mustard seed could mean the amount of faith. " He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32) It shows that even though your faith may seem small, it can do great things. In fact, it is not the work of the believer, but the work of the Lord. God is the one who does it. Great airplane is flown by a man, but not by his own strength, but by a machine's. In the same way, man is like a pilot, and God is like the engine that makes the plane flies.
Greater works than Christ
Christ said that those who believe can do greater works than He did. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” (John 14:12) But believers do not do the works that Christ did. Peter converted and baptized three thousand people on the day of Pentecost. Those who were sick were healed by his shadow. Paul healed the sick by his hand. When Philip preached in Samaria, demons fled, and he also healed the sick people. Christ said, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18). The reason why such powers do not come out of believers today is because they have so little fellowship with God and too much fellowship with the world. Therefore, no surprise, then.
By fellowship
Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Today, believers hear the word of the world more than they do the word of God.
A child put trust in someone not because they have blood relationship but because they are close, meaning they see each other frequently if not every day. The child does not care whether the person is ugly or beautiful, educated or poorly so, young or old. Therefore, in order to be able to rely on God, one must be very close to Him. If someone doesn't doubt about a wealthy person's riches but does not have a close connection with him, he shouldn't anticipate receiving anything from the rich man.
Why do believers believe in God's power but do not rely on Him? It's because they do not have a relationship with God; they do not do His will; and they do not listen to His words. If children do not listen to their parents, they do not dare to ask for anything from their parents. Instead, they would avoid their parents. Those who do not listen know themselves. They feel guitly. Therefore, rather than relying on God, people try to do their own thing. They rely more on other people. Even if things do not go well, they do not think about relying on God, and they avoid God. From now on, let us draw closer to God. Christ said, "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37) He says. Again, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Jesus is calling you. Come to Christ, and cast your burdens upon him. That way you will be comforted. He will not condemn you, but will have compassion on you, and help you. Come to him with all your heart in prayer. And there will be a difference in your life.
Baptism
1. The Baptism of the Israelites
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
In the above verses, Paul says that the Israelites were baptized when they were delivered from slavery in Egypt and when they went down and passed through the Red Sea. They were baptized in the Red Sea after they were freed from slavery in Egypt by the power of God. That baptism meant going down into the sea. By that baptism, the Egyptian soldiers died and the Israelites were victorious. After being baptized, they drank water from a rock and ate manna from heaven. The manna and the water from a rock symbolized Christ.
Believers are also saved by God through His power from the world, which is Egypt, and from the Pharaoh, which is Satan. After accepting this salvation, they are to be baptized in water. After being baptized, they will eat the bread of the feast instead of the bread of manna and drink the wine instead of the water from the rock.
God was not pleased with many of the Israelites. Therefore, they were said to have perished in the wilderness. Why did they not enter Canaan and perish in the wilderness? It was because they did not believe in God, they despised the promised land of Canaan and did not want to enter it, but were only drawn to Egypt, and long to return there. Most Christians today are like them, they do not want to enter heaven, they do not believe in God, they are only drawn to the world. For that reason, they will not go to heaven, but will go to the lake of fire. Are you one of them? Of the 600,000 men over the age of twenty who left Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb entered the land of Canaan. The rest all died in he wilderness. It is sad to see that many Christians today are also going to hell.
2. John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12)
"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”(Matthew 3:1-12)
John's baptism was for repentance. Repentance is for entering the kingdom. That kingdom is not in heaven but on earth. John baptized the Jews in the Jordan River because they confessed their sins. Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees also came to be baptized by him, but John did not baptize them. He called them out for their sins and about the things that would lead to judgment. The reason he did not baptize them was because they did not confess their sins. The baptism that John gave was not the same as the baptism that believers are receiving today.
3. The baptism that Jesus' disciples gave
"Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples." (John 4:1-2) Here, we see that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing people. It was not explained what kind of baptism the disciples were giving. However, since their Master Jesus had told his disciples to preach the kingdom, the baptism they gave might have been the same as what John did. Since Jesus was to rule as a king, the baptism his disciples gave would have been for the kingdom Christ on earth.
4. The Baptism of Jesus
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)
According to Matthew’s account, Christ’s baptism was to fulfill all the law as he himself said.
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” " (John 1:29-34)
Regarding the baptism of Jesus, John said, “I came baptizing with water so that he might be made manifest to Israel.” How was this made manifest? God said that on whomever the Spirit descended and rested, he would see. According to Matthew’s account, the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove. And the voice of the Lord was heard. Jesus’ baptism was so that the people of Israel, along with John, would know that he was the Son of God and that he was the Messiah they were waiting for.
Jesus’ Burial
Jesus spoke of his death and burial as baptism, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!" (Luke 12:49-50)
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, " (Mark 10:35-39)
The cup that Jesus was about to drink symbolized death. The baptism that he was about to receive symbolized death and burial. It was not water baptism.
5. The Baptism of believers
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
According to the above command, baptism is a sign of being a disciple of Christ. If you are a disciple, you must follow all the commands that Christ has given you. A disciple must do everything the Master asks without making excuses. However, most of those who are baptized do not do what the master asks them to do. It is sad to see that even though they are disciples of Christ, they do not do the work he has asked them to do, but they also do not know what they are supposed to do.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
According to Mark's account, baptism is a symbol of faith in Christ. Those who believe will also see signs. But the reason why believers today do not see signs is because they do not believe.
Do you not know "that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:3-5)
Man is a sinner, a son of Adam, a son of Satan, and therefore cannot obey God. He is an enemy of God, a natural man. No matter how much he is being taught and threatened and pushed, he cannot meet God’s standards. Therefore, God put man in Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30). That is baptism into Jesus Christ. Then he is baptized into His death. That is, he dies in Jesus Christ. Then he was buried with Jesus. Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossian 2:12). Therefore, the baptism of believers is his death and burial with Christ and resurrection with Him. Therefore, if one does not know or believe in this truth, there will be no difference in his life and the whole thing is meaningless. People often think that one is saved by baptism and becomes born again. The truth is this, one is saved by dying and rising with Jesus. For that reason, only those who believe and accept this should be baptized in the first place.
6. Baptism for the Dead
"Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”" (1 Corinthians 15:29-32)
Baptism for the dead is a difficult passage to understand. The Mormons use this passage to baptize the living on behalf of the dead. As explained above, baptism symbolizes faith, discipleship, and death and resurrection with Christ, so it is impossible for the living to represent the dead. Thus, it makes no sense.
So how are we to understand this? Paul’s and his team was in Ephesus preaching the gospel, so they were in danger of death every day. Paul said, “I die daily.” This means that even if he were to be killed, he would still preach because it was necessary for people to be saved. He preached as if he were already dead. He preached without fear, because he had hope in the resurrection. If he were killed, he would have the baptism of being buried. Therefore, he said he died and was baptized every day. The dead, who were saved through his preaching, could mean those who were physically dead, as well as those who were spiritually dead. For whomever it might be, he said, he died and was baptized.
