Commentary on "The Water of Life"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 3: Monday, April 19, 2010

 

Overview

Our theme for today is water baptism that outwardly symbolizes the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the life of a newborn Christian.

What is said in the lesson is good as far as it goes. However, what is practiced and taught as doctrine within the Adventist church deviates from the orthodox biblical understanding of baptism and is contrary to the gospel message.

 

Observations

On the subject of baptism, pages 33-34 of the current Seventh-day Adventist church manual, there is outlined a ‘Certificate of Baptism’ which includes a series of commitments that a candidate for membership in the Adventist church must subscribe to.

We will respond to several of the items in this list which have nothing to do with the salvation message of Jesus Christ and receiving the true Living Water by the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is what water baptism is meant to portray.

Within the Adventist church the mention “of Christ, my Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary” is in reference to the doctrine of Investigative Judgment. This doctrine is something not outlined or mentioned in Scripture. Since we have eternal life at the moment Jesus imparts his Living Water into our lives, this doctrine is clearly not part of the gospel message.

The Ten Commandments, along with the Sabbath outlined in the forth commandment, is part of a much more extensive set of laws. One must perfectly keep all of this law or fail to keep any of it. Only Jesus, because he is perfect, could do this. Our only hope of salvation is to accept the cleansing power of the Water of Life he freely offers us.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." (Gal. 3:1-3; 10-12 ESV)

The defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit is unrelated to how we care for our bodies, however important it is to practice good rules for healthy living. As such, the Adventist health message is not part of the gospel message and reference to this should not be part of your baptismal vows.

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person." Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" (Matt. 15:7-12 ESV)

The bible declares you to be a hypocrite to mix good health practices in with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:6-8 ESV)

Certainly, if you wish to join the Seventh-day Adventist church, you should accept their fundamental beliefs. However, this is unrelated to the meaning of water baptism and joining the Kingdom of God. In fact, if you believe you must obey the law to become perfect in God’s sight, you most likely have not accepted the gospel message by faith and the atoning work of Jesus Christ. If so, you are not part of the true Body of Christ, the true church of the bible.

The real “remnant church” is made up of all those who accept the gospel message of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for their sins and receive his gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This baptism of the Holy Spirit brings into our lives the Water of Life and has nothing to do with joining any human made organization, including that of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (John 1:32-34 ESV)

The baptism of Paul shows us the biblical meaning and requirements for water baptism:

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; (Acts (9:17-18 EST)

 

Summary

1. Water baptism portrays a real event that takes place unseen within our spiritual hearts at the moment we repent of our sins and accept in faith the gospel message of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ died and paid the penalty for our sins, was buried and was resurrected in victory three day later.
2. The gospel message of Jesus Christ is that those who by faith accept his atoning work of Salvation into their life, receive his gift, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is the eternal Water of Life. The Holy Spirit is the Seal, the guarantee of our salvation.
3. Any additions to this message is a non-gospel and not part of the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning Living Water.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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