Who Stole My Church?

I just completed reading the book "Who Stole My Church?" by Gordon MacDonald. It is a work of fiction based in a very real setting. In fact, so real, it could have been written about Riverside Church.

The book chronicles the process of change in a church from the tradition of the past to a vibrant 21st century church. It speaks to the feelings and hurts of those caught in the middle of the change. I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with why church can't be the way it always was.

I don't want to give too much of the storyline away. You will be hearing more about the topics presented in this book in later blogs. Get a copy of the book and read it with me!

Interesting Verse

I was studying this morning for a part of a message I will be delivering on Sunday. I am actually going back to a verse that was in my message last Sunday but I did not have time to fully explain. The verse is Acts 2:38 (NASB95), "Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Catholic thought takes this verse to mean that if you don't baptize (in their eyes sprinkle) babies (or anyone for that matter) and they die, they are dead in their sins and cannot go to heaven. Church of Christ followers believe this verse teaches that if you are not baptized after salvation, you cannot enter heaven. In other words, you must be baptized for salvation to be complete (baptismal regeneration).

When studying Scripture, there are a few rules that I follow when it comes to interpreting a passage. One of these rules is to NEVER take one verse by itself to make a doctrine or teaching. This is the only verse in the Bible where it apparently says you must be baptized to be saved. In fact, the rest of the New Testament scriptures point to salvation being by faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ. There is nothing else to corroborate this interpretation.

Therefore, when studying this verse, I look to the original Greek text to look for other possible meanings. The word "for" in this verse is the Greek transliterated "EIS." Many times, this word is translated as "for." But this word can just as easily (and still be hermeneutically correct) be translated "as a result of." In light of the rest of the New Testament I think the last half of this verse should be translated “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ as a result of the forgiveness of your sins."

Wow, this verse makes so much more sense this way. Because we have been forgiven of our sins, we will want to be baptized... to be identified with Jesus Christ. It fits with the rest of the teaching of the New Testament. Let me know what you think!

Most Misinterpreted Passages in the Bible

God has me thinking. That's always a good thing. I have been thinking about a series of messages that will focus on the most misinterpreted and misunderstood passages in the Bible. I have a few in mind. What do you think? Do you have any passages I might consider? Reply and let me know!

Interesting Article

Last weeks conversation stopped after the last comments I shared with you in the previous blog. I hope you can see that God's motivation has always been love, never fear. He sent His Son not to avenge some need He had for power and control, but totally out of love for us to pay a price we could not pay. There is no law in the world we can keep to make Him love us.

He loves us just as much today (no matter our sin level or circumstances) as He ever will. His love motivation always points us to rely on Him instead of relying on ourselves. His loves motivates us to love Him and follow Him.

Fear is not a good long term motivator. Love is. God's love is always pouring out to you calling you to a more intimate walk with Him. Are you listening?