Baptism can be very confusing...

It’s no wonder there is so much confusion about what baptism really means. Depending on one’s denominational background, its meaning varies widely.

You can’t even trust a dictionary to give you a consistent definition because so much of what appears in dictionaries today, even recent Biblical dictionaries, is a reflection of how the “word is perceived” today. The definitions and descriptions of baptism are drawn from prevailing practices and views based on traditions. That’s not surprising, the meaning of words change over time, especially in the english language.

Take a look at the following text from a popular internet resource and see for yourself how baptism has acquired many meanings over the ages:

Baptism is performing ablutions, or ritual washing; it is for the majority the rite of admission, almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition [denomination]. Baptism has been called a sacrament and an ordinance of Jesus Christ.

In some traditions, baptism is also called christening, but for others the word "christening" is reserved for the baptism of infants.

The New Testament reports that Jesus himself was baptized. The usual form of baptism among the earliest Christians was for the candidate to be immersed totally (submersion) or partially (standing or kneeling in water while water was poured on him or her). While John the Baptist's use of a deep river for his baptism suggests immersion, pictorial and archaeological evidence of Christian baptism from the 3rd century onward indicates that the normal form was to have the candidate stand in water while water was poured over the upper body. Other common forms of baptism now in use include pouring water three times on the forehead.

Martyrdom was identified early in Church history as "baptism by blood", enabling martyrs who had not been baptized by water to be saved. Later, the Catholic Church identified a baptism of desire, by which those preparing for baptism who die before actually receiving the sacrament are considered saved. As evidenced also in the common Christian practice of infant baptism, baptism was universally seen by Christians as in some sense necessary for salvation, until Huldrych Zwingli in the 16th century denied the necessity baptism altogether.

Today, some Christians, particularly Quakers and the Salvation Army, do not see baptism as necessary, and do not practice the rite in any form. Among those that do, differences can be found in the manner and mode of baptizing and in the understanding of the significance of the rite. Most Christians baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (following the Great Commission), but some baptize in Jesus' name only. Most Christian traditions baptize infants; many others hold that only believer’s baptism is true baptism. Some insist on submersion or at least partial immersion of the person who is baptized, others consider that any form of washing by water, as long as the water flows on the head, is sufficient.

"Baptism" has also been used to refer to any ceremony, trial, or experience by which a person is initiated, purified, or given a name. (Selected highlights on topic “Baptism” from Wikipedia, the free Internet Encyclopedia–2011)

Here’s another variation from a highly respected and trusted information resource:
BAPTIZE, Baptism: To administer the sacrament of baptism to a person; to christen. By some denominations of Christians, baptism is performed by plunging, or immersing the whole body in water, and this is done to none but adults. More generally the ceremony is performed by sprinkling water on the face of a person, whether an infant or an adult, and in the case of an infant, by giving him a name, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is called Christening. (Webster’s Dictionary)

Okay, that’s how many common secular resources describes baptism. What about Bible dictionaries, such as Strong’s Greek Dictionary?

Here’s commentary on the word ‘baptize’ as found in Strong’s Greek Dictionary: The word ‘baptize’ is a Greek word that has been transliterated into the English language.  The English language did not have a word for the Greek word ‘baptize’ so the Greek word was borrowed and put into the English language, retaining its Greek definition.  In other words, the translators taught us a Greek word and the Greek words meaning.  Being transliterated from Greek to English the words ‘baptize’ and ‘baptized’ in EVERY case in Scripture means to ‘immerse’ or ‘submerge’... ‘cover wholly with fluid’ [water]. (Strong’s Greek Dictionary)

Do you see the problem?   Alternate meanings based on tradition have been attached to the words ‘baptize’ and ‘baptism’. So to use a common English dictionary for the definition will not give as precise a meaning as the Greek dictionary does. What’s important... is that we know the word ‘baptize’ as used in English is very often not the same as it is used in the original Greek language.

So if immersion is the true Biblical mode of baptism, then it stands to reason that there must be more to its meaning than simply submerging a person below the surface of water. The answer is yes and there is ample Biblical evidence to support and explain the true meaning of baptism.

First, Biblical baptism requires coming to the water, going down into it, and coming up out of it. None of these important steps are involved in sprinkling or pouring, but genuine “God approved” immersion requires all of them. (See these passages: Acts 8: 36-39; Acts 10: 47,48; Mark 1:9,10; John 3:23)

There is a reason. Baptism is a symbol of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Those who submit to Biblical baptism are experiencing a unique binding, albeit symbolic, with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:12 says “we” are buried with Him in baptism and by that [going under the water -completely immersed] ”we” are then raised with Him [as rising to a new life, symbolic of His resurrection]. In baptism we are buried with Jesus and raised with Him. As He was buried in the earth, so we are symbolically buried in baptism.

Are people symbolically buried and raised in sprinkling or pouring? When Jesus was buried, did they sprinkle a little dirt on Him, like folks do in sprinkling or pouring? No. Matthew 12:40 says He was buried in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 27: 60, 66 says He was laid in a tomb hewn out of rock and a great stone covered the opening. He was completely enclosed in the element. In baptism we are buried (completely enclosed and surrounded) in water, as Jesus was buried in the earth.

The Apostle Paul in Romans 6:4 says We are buried with Him by baptism. Some will argue that if baptism is "just a symbol" of Jesus' burial, it doesn’t really matter how it is done. Paul clearly establishes the symbolic element in baptism. but that does not give humans license to deviate from what the Bible teaches nor does it prove that the action as prescribed by God does not matter. That should eliminate the “it doesn’t really matter” argue entirely. Remember the character and nature of who God is... He is exacting and precise in all His commands. Our love for Him... trust of Him and faith in Him should compel us to simply be obedient to all that He commands us to do.

The passages say Jesus was buried and raised. If the Bible is to be valid as our only true “authority” then it very much matters how we are baptized and for what purpose. It says we are buried and we are raised in baptism. The one to be baptized must be buried and raised. When denominations sprinkle or pour, the person is not buried or raised. Only by immersion is a person buried and raised, thereby meeting the Biblical requirement for baptism.

Symbols are important to God. When God ordains actions and gives them to us through His Holy Word as commands, even if they involve symbolism, we must respect the act as God commanded it, instead of changing it. Baptism involves a burial and a resurrection like Jesus' burial and resurrection. Immersion fits both God's command and the symbolism He ordained. How can sprinkling or pouring symbolize a burial and a resurrection? The answer is obvious... they can’t.

What does it all mean? In baptism, a cleansing takes place.

Hebrews 10:22 says this... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Note the contrast between the sprinkling of the heart and the washing of the body. In the New Testament, the blood of Jesus is sprinkled on our hearts to cleanse us from sin. This of course is symbolic and spiritual, since it cannot be physical. [Hebrews 9:14]

The body, the whole person is affected in baptism. Baptism involves both an inner meaning and an outer action. In baptism the heart is cleansed of sin when the body is immersed [covered over] in baptism.

Denominations that sprinkle or pour water on the head are not baptizing people according to Biblical instruction. Immersion fits the Bible descriptions of baptism. Sprinkling and pouring do not fit.

No other form or action is acceptable to God. Sprinkling and pouring are human in origin. They are modifications to God's plan for salvation. Only complete immersion can be practiced according to Jesus' authority.

Here’s the hard reality that many must confront.... God approved, God accepted Gospel baptism is immersion, not sprinkling or pouring. If you have not been immersed, then you have not obeyed Jesus' command. You have followed only the doctrines of men.

If you wish to obey Jesus, you must do what He said to do... be baptized (immersed) as described in the passages sited in this article and previous ones. It requires a change in your attitude, faith in God, confession from your heart how you wish to live your life henceforth. He who believes and is baptized will be saved - Mark 16:16.

NEXT ARTICLE... I’m going to share with you why we have such a hard time accepting the plain truth of Scripture.

HOLD your Breath, you’re going under!

In the past couple of days, I was challenged on my posted article of January 4th. This fellow, a “pastor” no less, saw fit to point out to me in a popular internet forum, that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I was misinformed... I failed to note certain facts [albeit facts crafted by men]... and that I better stick to my conclusion to only follow the Word? Excuse me sir... I was following the Word of God... precisely! (2 Timothy 2:15-16) Needless to say, I was greatly disturbed by the unfounded comments from someone we would all assume knows what the Bible teaches.  

Here’s his beef –– He said I was all wrong about baptism being only by immersion and proof of my error was that [his denominations manual] says that Philip poured water on the head of the Ethiopian to baptize him. He said there are other, [more than one], modes of baptism authorized in Scripture. The source of his belief that a “pouring mode of baptism” is Biblical, comes from the teachings found in his denominations “manual”, not come from Scripture.

His comments reinforce exactly what I described in the January 4th article... he is relying on the "traditions" of man to defend his position on baptism, not the truth of Scripture.  Well, maybe other people will react in a similar manner to what I said. I can understand that... no one likes to be told that the religion they practice might be teaching in error. No one wants to come face-to-face with the realization that what they’ve been taught all their lives might not be based on the “authority of God” but on the distorted and deceptive authority of men. That’s not easy for anyone to accept. But truth is just that, truth. And sometimes it hurts to be confronted with evidence that rocks the foundations of your belief system.

Now... let’s read what the Bible says about the events surrounding the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch...

Acts 8:36-39... 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”  The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Some religious traditions think that Philip used a small amount of water drawn from the larger body alongside the road and poured it over the head of the Ethiopian to baptize him. Okay, is that what you just read in verse 38???  No it is not.  The water used to baptize the Ethiopian was a body of water they came to as they traveled along the road. Philip and the Ethiopian got out of the chariot and went down into the water, because it was deep enough to allow for complete bodily immersion. Other Bible examples also confirm that people who were baptized “went to the water.” (See John 3:23; Mark 1:9; Acts 10: 47-48)

If pouring was the mode of the Ethiopian’s baptism, there would have been no need for Scripture to reference “a body of water” appropriate for the intended purpose of a baptism. Philip could not baptize the Eunuch until a body of water was found that could satisfy the requirement of total bodily immersion. If pouring was an authorized baptismal mode, Philip at any time during their journey could have simply used a small amount of water from the water skins [jugs] they surely carried with them in the chariot, and poured it on the head of the Eunuch. But that’s not what happened.

Dictionaries of the Bible define the english word baptize as coming from the Greek word "baptizo" which means to "immerse." Thayer's lexicon on BAPTIZO says: "to dip, immerse, submerge."  Many other dictionaries showing the basic, root meaning of the Bible word from which baptize is translated say the same... it means to "immerse."

In the New Testament, the Biblical command of baptism always means to immerse. Consider this reasoning... if Jesus had wanted to say “pour”, He would have used the Greek word ekcheo – which means to “pour out.”  If Jesus had desired to say sprinkle, He would have used the word rantizo, which means “to sprinkle.”   Had Jesus wanted to authorize these additional modes or forms of baptism, the Koine Greek words, the primary language in which the New Testament was first written, were available to Him.  But instead... He chose the word – baptizo, which never means sprinkle or pour.  

The Biblical word for "baptism" means immersion, not sprinkling or pouring.  Regardless of what many men or a single man says about baptism, this is a matter of who's AUTHORITY will you abide by... God's TRUTH or the Satanically inspired distortions of men? Give that some careful consideration before you reject the notion that you may indeed be a “willing pawn” of the greatest deceiver in the universe! Rejecting the clear truth of Scripture, i.e. God’s Authority, in favor of what imperfect flawed men contrive, is being just that... a pawn of Satan!

Immersion, submerging a person under the water, fits the Biblical description of baptism. Sprinkling and pouring do not fit.   No matter how hard you try to make those modes exist in the Bible, they’re simply not there.

This is not the end of this discussion on baptism. There is much more evidence that amplifies the meaning of baptism and why only complete immersion is God’s approved way of becoming “united with Christ.”

Baptism... based on God’s Authority Only!

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to present what the Bible says is required to become a Christian, one acceptable to God. Acceptable to God? Aren’t all “Christians” regardless of their denominational affiliation acceptable to God?

Last week, I posed a very serious question for anyone who claims the name of Christ and tries to live a Christian life... What will YOU Trust... Scripture, or the Traditions of Men?

If you take a few minutes and scroll back and re-read that article, you’ll see that I discuss how we influence others and how we are influenced by others. Religion, unlike anything else, touches human life in ways that have eternal consequences.

As last week’s article noted... there are a host of things done in the name of God which God has not requested or commanded. The Scriptures teach nothing about many things which are commonly accepted and taught in churches today.

So the question of authority comes to the forefront. By what authority do church denominations do the things they do in the name of religion? Doesn’t the source of “authority” matter when it comes to such critically important things like salvation?

I hope you’re a person who wants to know the details of why something is being done in the name of “religion” that impacts your life. I don’t think “ignorance” of such important things will be an acceptable excuse when you finally confront God with your “Christian credentials.” Nor should we expect God to simply accept “close enough”, “good intentions”, or one of religions favorites... “all that really matters is believing.”

Let’s begin this journey of discovery, by discussing what God requires of a person to become an accepted and approved Christian. “Baptism.” The Scriptures teach very clearly that baptism is required for salvation. Acts 2:38 says precisely... Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Before you disagree with what Acts 2:38 says, just focus on the issue of “authority.” If such commands are in the Bible, then don’t they deserve investigation and consideration on the basis of coming from a “higher authority” than man? Such a clear Biblical command about “baptism” would supersede any other “authority” would it not?

Man must know something about God to understand His authority. The Bible reveals the character and nature of God very clearly. We find in Scripture that He is a God of exacting precision. What God says, He expects to be done exactly how He has said what He is saying should be done. Man has no room to argue or negotiate with God about His commands, especially on such matters as the salvation of humanity. Man has no privilege to modify God’s precise requirements, or any of His precepts and commands. Man does not control the “authority” by which humanity is governed, or how people become His followers... only God does.

So let’s review the matter of “authority” as it relates to becoming a Christian, in the act of “baptism.”

Matthew 28:18-20 states very clearly what all denominations know to be “the Great Commission.” In this final command issued just before Jesus returns to heaven, He commands that His followers would be baptized. He clearly states He has the “authority” to make such a command because He has been given “all authority over heaven and earth.” So unless you’re inclined to argue the definition of “all”, it seems once again very clear that the source of “authority” is God and the repository of said “authority” for human guidance... is the Bible.

There’s more. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says that “all” Scripture is “inspired of God” and useful for instructing believers and those who are seeking and searching for truth. This passage sets this Biblical instruction on the level of “righteousness” far surpassing anything man can provide. (See also James 1:25; 2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 3:3-5)

When determining true and genuine authority, there is a warning we cannot ignore. Matthew 15:9 says that following the doctrines of men makes our worship worthless. Worship is much more than Sunday service... it’s our entire life lived in Christ. Everything we do everyday in His name, claiming Him, is part of a worshipful life. If we are not living our lives based on “the right authority” then all we’re doing is man’s will and we are rejected by God. And finally Galatians 1:8,9 is a frightening warning to all who would think they can modify or add to what God has so clearly said. Anyone... who preaches and teaches differently from the gospel is under God’s curse! That can’t be good.

Now, back to the important act of baptism... how has it faired since Jesus issued the Great commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20?

Many denominations view baptism as a matter of personal choice. Some churches sprinkle or pour water on the person's head. Most churches say there are several acceptable choices regarding the act of baptism. Others churches will only immerse, but for reasons not in harmony with what the Bible teaches. Consider the following statements from various "Christian" denominations:

"Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant" - Church of the Nazarene Manual, 1972 ed., p. 33.

"What is the meaning of the word 'baptize'? 'Baptize' means to apply water by washing, pouring, sprinkling, or immersing" - Luther's Small Catechism, par. 244, p. 170.

"Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; the Baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person" - "Westminster Confession of Faith," par. 6.141, Presbyterian Book of Confessions, 1967 ed.

"How is baptism given? It is given by pouring water over the forehead of the person to be baptized ..." - A Catechism for Adults (Catholic), 1975 ed., p. 63.

I think it’s shocking when leaders of the aforementioned denominations freely admit that immersion is the correct Biblical teaching. "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 only mode of baptism. Today, however, the general practice of the Lutheran Church is to administer baptism by pouring, although immersion is also permitted" - A Compendia of Luther's Theology, p. 167, via Handbook of Religious Quotations, p. 11.

John Calvin stated: "The word baptize signifies to immerse, and the rite of immersion was practiced by the ancient church" - quoted by Brents, p. 230f.

“The Scripture makes it clear enough that water is to be used, but it is not so plain at first sight that sprinkling or pouring of water will suffice. In Apostolic times the body of the baptized person was [completely] immersed, for St. Paul looks on this immersion as typifying burial with Christ, and speaks of baptism as a bath … [But the belief] that baptism can be validly given by immersion, infusion, or aspersion, is fully justified by tradition … Anciently … baptism was constantly given to adults and the rite of immersion prevailed …” – The Catholic Dictionary on “baptism” and “baptistery,” pp 60-64.

The Bible does not mislead us. It does not leave important bits of information out or make us read between the lines to try and figure out what God is saying. Scripture is explicit in its counsel to humanity. Therefore we do not need a Bible verse that expressly says, "Do not sprinkle or pour." If the Bible teaches us to immerse and never authorizes sprinkling or pouring, then the latter should be rejected as being human in origin and different from the gospel. (2 John 9-11; Colossians 3:17; Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12; 3:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:13)

These aforementioned quotations from verifiable sources... the manuals of leading denominations, constitute conclusive evidence that the “traditions of men” regarding the act of baptism, have become acceptable to members of these and other similar denominations. Leaders openly acknowledge their error and obvious conflict with what the Bible teaches.

However, nothing changes. No attempts are being made as of this writing by any denomination I know of, to bring themselves into harmony with Biblical teaching on the matter of baptism. They are willfully putting people's lives at risk with God by not teaching the complete TRUTH of God's Word.

It’s a question of who’s “authority” you choose to believe... man’s or God’s.

What will YOU Trust... Scripture or the Traditions of Men?

I want to end this year with a little something to provoke your thinking about what makes you believe what you believe. All belief is based on some form of authenticity, a respected authority that has mastered or perfected the foundations that define how and what you can trust and therefore believe.

The Bible teaches that all authority originally comes from God, and He gives it to whom he chooses. Even the power of earthly governments, including the local police force, and taxing authority comes from God... as clarified for us in Romans chapter 13.

Jesus said... "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) All followers of Christ have been given authority by His command to assist Him in global evangelism Matthew 28:19-20). But Jesus has ultimate and complete authority, such as no other, save God the Father who granted Christ the Savior His authority. He has authority to forgive sins and to speak words of reconciliation and peace. He has authority over the powers of heaven and hell themselves. Jesus has granted His followers certain privileges and responsibilities by virtue of His authority. For example, if you call yourself a “Christian” you are declaring yourself to be one of his servants here on earth. When you speak for Jesus, under his authority and using his authority, you speak on behalf of the King. You are a mouthpiece of the King of All Things and reality itself has no choice except to bend to what you command. Kind of scary isn’t it... and certainly an awesome responsibility as one of His followers.

It’s human nature to be influenced by others. Everyone follows someone. All things, whatever they are... are led by someone – you cannot escape being influenced by another person. Everyone leads. And everyone follows. Each one of us influences the behavior, thoughts, opinions and ideas of the people around us to some degree.

For me... I believe Jesus is the only true authority on all things heavenly and earthly, and is therefore the most rational choice of someone to follow, but maybe that’s just me.

Here’s the thorny question for you to consider... Who will you follow, and as you lead, what source of authority will you use to authenticate what you are hearing, what you're teaching and being taught?

Have you ever thought about the question the religious leaders ask Jesus after he cleansed the Temple? They don't ask... "What in the world are you doing?" They don't demand... "Who is going to pay for this mess?" They simply ask... "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you authority to do this?"

That may seem like a strange question, but in fact, it was a very good one. For when you're clearing out God’s Temple, or eating with tax collectors and sinners, or teaching people something new and revolutionary about God... you had better have an authority that is higher than yourself, something that shows you have a right to do what you are doing.

That same question is just as good today as it was in the days of Jesus. For many in our society, religion has become a matter of personal preference rather than a matter of God's revelation. Everybody does his own thing. If you go to fifty different churches, you'll find fifty different versions of how we ought to worship or what we ought to believe or even how to become a Christian! But that doesn't really bother us any more, because we've bought that piece of nonsense that says... "What you believe isn't nearly as important as that you believe." That idea is quite simply... Satanic nonsense!

But if it does bother you that there are so many different versions of Christianity out there, you'll find yourself confronting some people and asking age old questions, "By what authority are you doing these things? By what authority do you believe what you believe and teach what you teach? Is everything just a matter of opinion or is there some standard against which every church and every Christian should be judged?”

When it comes to religion, we'd better have an authority that is higher than ourselves, something that shows we have a right to do what we are doing.

When you ask this "authority" question, most religious people will tell you the Bible is their standard. All churches give some degree of authority to the Bible. The issue is not whether churches try to follow the teachings of the Bible; it is whether they follow the teachings of the Bible alone. Is Scripture the church's sole authority or does it take Scripture plus something else to explain why they do what they do?

For many, probably most in the religious world today, it does take something much more than Scripture to explain their beliefs and practices. There are a host of things done in the name of God which God has not requested or commanded.

The Scriptures teach nothing about many things which are commonly accepted and taught in churches every week. And if you ask these churches, "By what authority are you doing these things?" they are forced to admit that such practices have nothing to do with Scripture and everything to do with tradition.

Tradition has become as important as Scripture to many religious groups in determining their beliefs and practices. And if you ask the members of those churches about this, they can only say, "That's the way we've always done things" or "I was raised to believe this way."

There was a group in New Testament times which was as fond of tradition as many church denominations are today. They were the Pharisees, the leaders of the Jewish religion and religious practices God had designed and recorded in Scripture for them to follow and practice. They explained their beliefs and practices by appealing to Scripture and then added their coveted traditions to amplify what it Scripture must have really been saying.

Jesus did not agree with them on anything they taught, not one thing. The Lord gives us his thinking about tradition and its place in religion in His confrontations with the self-righteous Pharisees. . It’s not complex thought... it’s easy to understand. I encourage you to re-read the accounts as recorded in Matthew chapter 15 and Mark chapter 7.

Scripture is Divine, Tradition is Not. Scripture is Binding, Tradition is Not. Scripture is always, always the Standard, Tradition is Not. Scripture comes from God. Anything in addition to that which comes from God... comes from men. Seems more than clear... you cannot put traditions on an equal footing with Scripture. They originate from two very different sources – one prefect and divine and one from prideful imperfect men who’s thoughts are imperfect and always flawed. While we outwardly declare that we are shocked and appalled at the Pharisees love of tradition, we ourselves cling to our traditions every bit as much as they did.

“What do you believe” is probably the most important question you can ponder if you claim to be a follower of Christ trying to follow Him as He approves, while confused by countless denominations.

Ponder these warnings gleaned from the Pharisees...
What begin as men's ideas slowly take on the authority of God's ideas. Though they are not Scripture, they become equivalent. The Pharisees did not distinguish between Scripture and their traditions. They believed tradition to be as inspired and binding as God’s revelation. Because they are man’s ideas, we find ourselves preferring them to the commands of God. Eventually, we become so zealous to keep our notions of religion defined by man-made traditions, we actually nullify what God says about religion.

We all need to constantly ask ourselves, “What do we believe”... “By what authority?”

Maybe you need to declare 2011 a year in search of truth... God’s Truth. Make the new year a personal quest to seek the truth of God’s Word as He has clearly and plainly revealed it to us in Scripture.

Seek. Search. Don't accept the answers grounded in the traditions of man. Accept only the real thing... God's Holy Word - Scripture. Your honest-hearted quest will be successful and will restore your faith, your hope and your zeal for serving the Lord in Spirit and Truth.

My Treasures... My Family

My Dearest Treasures,

In two days another Christmas day will be here. A few hours later, it will pass into history. We try so very hard to capture the warmth, glow and spirit of Christmas and make it last throughout the year. Invariably, the things we hope to hold on to quickly slip away as our old friend “reality” once again asserts itself. I’ve witnessed fifty-nine Christmas come and go, and my view of the day has changed dramatically over the years.

Christmas means many things to different people. I want to share a few thoughts of what Christmas has come to mean to me... not just the day of December 25th, but what it means all year long. It has taken many years of my life to get here, but I made it and I’m glad of it.

The Christmas season reinforces for me the most important things in my life. My passion is to love God more today than yesterday and to love the people of God. In a nutshell, I want my four daughters, my two grandsons and my baby granddaughter to be life long treasured friends and for them to know and love God as I do. That's all I really want as a father and grandfather.

Christmas reminds me all year long that I have been blessed with an incredible wife, who has contributed immeasurably to the journey of my life. I admire her character in ways that can’t easily be expressed. I’m usually not at a loss for words, so maybe this will give you inkling of how I see her... She is one of the most Godly persons I’ve ever known. Everyday I see the evidence of God working in her life, creating within her the fruits of the Spirit... everyday I am witness to His awesome transformation of the “love of my life” into a beautiful vessel for His purpose. I’ll be honest, sometimes what God has done to her scares me, but the person she has become has made me better in my walk with God. I want to grow old with her and love her more deeply every day of the year. I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing with my life.

No Christmas gift thoughtfully selected and beautifully wrapped, can surpass the treasures that abound in my life. These treasures are with me and around me every day of the year. My family is like a “living toy box” filled with wondrous gifts. Right now... my grandsons, “my little men” are my greatest joy. One I see everyday, my other “little man” lives far away. But I dream of him and think of him everyday. His smile, his laughter, his highjinks and antics are indelibly etched in my soul. I love him dearly.

More now than ever before, Christmas has become a season for me to think about my time in this life. I don’t worry or fret about how many more Christmases I have left to enjoy with my family, but I do worry about what I will leave behind. If I can leave my daughters and grandchildren only one thing, it wouldn’t be a financial inheritance. It would be Jesus, the Gospel, God’s Word, zeal and passion for serving Him—for only these will carry them through the peaks and valleys of their lives and into eternity.

You see, I’ll be there first... waiting for all of you to join me in God’s great paradise. The greatest gift you can give to me, your father, your grandfather, is to reward me with your eagerness to live each day of your lives passionate for Christ and one day to join me in eternal life in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. I’ll be heart broken if you don’t join me.

This Christmas of 2010, I make some important promises to my daughters and grandchildren.

For all of you... I promise to pray for you everyday. I will pray for your health. I will pray for clear direction from God for you. Above all else, I will pray for your salvation. I pray that you will discover the grace that comes by faith in Jesus Christ and passionately embrace Him. Nothing is more important for you in this life.

For my two grandsons and granddaughter, I promise to always be there for you. When you get old enough to use the telephone, your calls will be a gift of immeasurable value to me. Nothing will be more important than talking to you. I want to be with you as much as we can be together. The years are picking up speed and going by rapidly, and I want to spend as much time as possible with you.

To my grandchildren, I pray that each one of you becomes a child of God. For when you do, you will not only be my grandsons and granddaughter, you will be my brothers and sister “in Christ.” There is no gift of greater worth than to be bound together in the love and grace of Jesus.

For all of you... I will always be your biggest fan. Of course, I don’t know what paths you will pursue, but I will be there to encourage you, to cheer you on, to remind you that you can do anything in God’s strength. Sometimes I will need to remind you that the path you are choosing is not a good one and you need to rethink your choice. I will always try and help you make wise and Godly choices. I pray that we can grow in trust so we can discuss the things that trouble your hearts. God is never far off from you. He desires to work in your life. I pray that all of you will look to your mother and grandmother and emulate her life of godliness. It will be so exciting to see how God will direct you and how He will use you.

You see, I know God has great plans for your life. I can’t even imagine the ways that He will use you. It will be pure joy for your mother, grandmother and I to watch His plan unfold in your lives. No matter how challenging your life circumstances may be, there’s something wonderful always waiting for you... the “risen Christ.” Everyone can reach out and take the hand of Jesus and walk with Him. This is the greatest Christmas gift that could ever be!

This Christmas, more than any other, I am realizing that this life is brief. I will be gone for most of your years. So I pray that I can leave to you a legacy of love, a legacy of joy, and my life legacy of a heart committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I love you all so very much.

Dad and Granddad

Prayer... the Final Frontier

The Devil's ultimate strategy in deceiving believers is to make them doubt the faithfulness of God in answering prayer. Satan would have us believe that God has shut His ears to our cries and pleas and left us to work things out for ourselves.

Why should we pray? What is the point of prayer when God knows the future and is already in control of everything. If we cannot change God's mind, why should we pray?

For the Christian, praying must become like breathing. It must become so ingrained in us that it becomes easier to do it than to not do it. Therefore, we pray for a variety of reasons.

For one thing, prayer is a form of serving God (Luke 2:36-38) and obeying Him. We pray because God commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7). Prayer is exemplified for us by Christ and the early church (Mark 1:35; Acts 1:14; 2:42; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4; 13:1-3). If Jesus thought it was worthwhile to pray, we should quickly adopt His example of prayer. Think of it from this perspective.... if Jesus needed to pray to remain in the Father’s will, how much more then do we need to pray?

Another reason to pray is that God intends prayer to be the means of obtaining His solutions in a number of life situations. We pray in preparation for major decisions (Luke 6:12-13); to overcome demonic barriers (Matthew 17:14-21); to gather workers for the spiritual harvest (Luke 10:2); to gain strength to overcome temptation (Matthew 26:41); and to obtain the means of strengthening others spiritually (Ephesians 6:18-19).

We come to God with our specific requests, and we have God's promise that our prayers are not in vain, even if we do not receive specifically what we asked for (Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26-27). He has promised that when we ask for things that are in accordance with His will, He will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). That’s the part that frustrates many Christians... “in accordance with His will.” Not all of what we pray for meets the criteria of being inline with His will and purpose.

Sometimes He delays His answers according to His wisdom and for our benefit. In these situations, we are to be diligent and persistent in prayer (Matthew 7:7; Luke 18:1-8). Prayer should not be seen as our means of getting God to do “our will” on earth, but rather as a means of getting God's will done on earth. God’s wisdom far exceeds our own.

I believe the greatest tragedy among many believers in the church today is that so few now believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer. Too many of God's people can be heard complaining... "I pray, but I get no answers. I've prayed so long, so hard, without any results. All I want is to see a little evidence of God changing things. Things go on as usual... nothing happens. How long must I wait?" It’s not God... it’s you. It's most likely what you pray for, how you pray and the condition and circumstances of your life that often inhibit His response. Sometimes we simply refuse to accept God’s answer to our prayers because we don’t like the answer... it’s not what we wanted.

For situations in which we do not know God's will specifically, prayer is a means of discerning His will. If the Syrian woman with the demon-influenced daughter had not prayed to Christ, her daughter would not have been made whole (Mark 7:26-30). If the blind man outside Jericho had not called out to Christ, he would have remained blind (Luke 18:35-43). God has said that we often go without because we do not ask (James 4:2).

In one sense, prayer is like sharing the gospel with people. We do not know who will respond to the message of the gospel until we share it. In the same way, we will never see the results of prayer answered... unless we pray.

A lack of prayer demonstrates a lack of faith and a lack of trust in God’s Word. We pray to demonstrate our faith in God, that He will do as He has promised in His Word and bless our lives abundantly more than we could ask or hope for (Ephesians 3:20).

Prayer is our primary means of seeing God work in others' lives. Because it is our means of “plugging into” God's power, it is our means of defeating Satan and his army that we are powerless to overcome by ourselves.

For many Christians... prayer is the final frontier in developing a deep and intimate relationship with God. Prayer should not make us uncomfortable, it should draw us closer and closer to Him. Prayer grows in depth, quality and alignment with God’s will as we ourselves grow in wisdom and maturity.

We have help, the best you can get. A high priest in heaven who can identify with all that we go through in this life (Hebrews 4:15-16). We have His promise that the fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much (James 5:16-18).

May God glorify His name in our lives as we believe in Him enough to come to Him often in prayer.

Praying as Jesus Taught Us to Pray

by Guest Contributor, James Ledbetter

1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It is unfortunate that most of us have learned to pray by listening to others pray in public, and it is too rarely understood that there is a big difference between public prayer and effective private prayer. By definition, few if any of us have ever heard a real prayer warrior pray privately because private prayer is exactly that, something done in private. In this section, the difference between public prayer and private prayer becomes very important. In public prayer, this section can be used for praying in general terms and can include things such as failures of the whole church and universal human sinfulness. But, in private prayer, this section should be very detailed. Talk to God about specific events; name names; give specific locations; spell out exactly what your sin was; offer no excuses because sin is sin and all of it is an abomination to God. This is also the time to talk to God about any ill-will you hold toward others and anyone you have not yet forgiven for wrongs done to you. Ask for power and wisdom with which to forgive them completely and genuinely. James 2:12-13 tells us, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. In this section, ask for wisdom, guidance, and strength in the cosmic battle against Satan and his minions. We are in spiritual warfare with the unseen forces of evil, and we need to stay constantly in touch with our Commander at headquarters. Ephesians 6:10-12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ask for God’s protection against the power of Satan.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever, Amen. This line was not actually included by the Lord in His model prayer, but it has been added by many generations of Christians and suggests that we should end our prayers with thanksgiving and praise. I believe that this advice from so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who lived in years gone by is very good and appropriate.

Give thanks for God’s countless blessings. Thank Him for answered prayers. Thank Him for His perfect, unconditional love. Praise Him for who He is and what He has done for us. Focus on Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Express eagerness for His perfect kingdom yet to come. Meditate on the promised joy of living all eternity with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth in the complete absence of sin and with creation returned to the perfect way in which God created it before mankind fell into sin.

I like to end my prayers by meditating on some passage of Scripture dealing with thanksgiving and praise. One of my favorites is Psalm 113:3, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Sometimes I end my prayers by sitting and imagining life in eternity where I myself will be freed from sin and where everyone we know, everyone we encounter, everyone with whom we interact will be constantly praising and worshipping God in everything they do and say. I try to sense the overwhelming beauty of such a life. I’m confident that I fail even to begin to imagine what God has in store for us, but the Bible tells me to look forward to that day and the Lord’s return. As you study the Scriptures, make your own list of favorite passages with which to conclude your prayers. We can never go wrong reciting God’s words back to Him. He, of course, knows them already, but He wants to hear that we know them, love them, respect them, and strive to live our lives according to them.

Finally, I offer one last bit of advice. Pray every day. Pray without ceasing as you go about your daily life. Make prayer a habit. Strive to make it something that you don’t feel you can live without - - because you can’t, not if you’re talking about really living - - living the way God wills. And, isn’t that the life you really want?
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James Ledbetter is the Associate Editor of Global Missions EJOURNAL. For more information visit the website... www.globalmissionsnetwork.info