WHICH OF GOD’s COMMANDS CAN WE IGNORE? Matthew 28:16-20
A. Most denominations teach that:
1. Baptism is a command (Matthew 28:19-20)
2. Baptism’s purpose is as “A public declaration of a Private decision”
3. Baptism is not part of being saved/becoming a Christian
B. Examples of God’s commands for today
1. Jesus told His disciples He was their friend IF… (John 15:13-14) 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
2. Jesus commanded (through Paul) to work if able… (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
C. What other (if any) commands has God given, that we can neglect and still be forgiven/saved?
1. Belief? (Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (John 8:24, 58) 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (Mark 16:15-16) 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2. Repentance? (Luke 13:1-5) “the Galilaeans” (Acts 17:29-31) 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
3. Confession of Christ/Evangelism (lacking fear/terror of mankind)
a. The Twelve (Matthew 10:16-33)
b. A warning (Revelation 21:6-8) 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
c. Mature love of God (1John 4:17-18) 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
4. Faithfulness? (2Timothy 4:7-8) 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (James 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
a. Persecution coming to the early church --Ephesus (Revelation 2:7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. --Smyrna (Revelation 2:10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. --Pergamum (Revelation 2:17) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. --Thyatira (Revelation 2:26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: --Sardis (Revelation 3:5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. --Philadelphia (Revelation 3:12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. --Laodicea (Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
D. CONCLUSION
1. ALL God’s Commands are REQUIRED including baptism
a. Grace does NOT excuse rebellion (but, that’s another lesson –EDR--)