Baptismal regeneration

Brian,

Carson has surprised me on a few occasions, also, by not responding to a topic. Hmmmmm? Guess now I won't take it personally.

 

Briguy,

Nice to meet you. I have never heard the ideas that you put forth before. I believe that Jesus was looking for "fruits" or works, not so that others could see them but so that He could see them. Think of this Bible scene:

The entire night Jesus spent in prayer, and in the morning He came again to the temple. On the way He passed a fig orchard. He was hungry, "and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet."

It was not the season for ripe figs, except in certain localities; and on the highlands about Jerusalem it might truly be said, "The time of figs was not yet." But in the orchard to which Jesus came, one tree appeared to be in advance of all the others. It was already covered with leaves. It is the nature of the fig tree that before the leaves open, the growing fruit appears. Therefore this tree in full leaf gave promise of well-developed fruit. But its appearance was deceptive. Upon searching its branches, from the lowest bough to the topmost twig, Jesus found "nothing but leaves." It was a mass of pretentious foliage, nothing more.

Christ uttered against it a withering curse. "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever," He said. The next morning, as the Saviour and His disciples were again on their way to the city, the blasted branches and drooping leaves attracted their attention. "Master," said Peter, "behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away."

Christ's act in cursing the fig tree had astonished the disciples. It seemed to them unlike His ways and works. Often they had heard Him declare that He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. They remembered His words, "The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56. His wonderful works had been done to restore, never to destroy. The disciples had known Him only as the Restorer, the Healer. This act stood alone. What was its purpose? they questioned.

God "delighteth in mercy." "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Micah 7:18; Ezek. 33:11. To Him the work of destruction and the denunciation of judgment is a "strange work." Isa. 28:21. But it is in mercy and love that He lifts the veil from the future, and reveals to men the results of a course of sin.

The cursing of the fig tree was an acted parable. That barren tree, flaunting its pretentious foliage in the very face of Christ, was a symbol of the Jewish nation. The Saviour desired to make plain to His disciples the cause and the certainty of Israel's doom. For this purpose He invested the tree with moral qualities, and made it the expositor of divine truth. The Jews stood forth distinct from all other nations, professing allegiance to God. They had been specially favored by Him, and they laid claim to righteousness above every other people. But they were corrupted by the love of the world and the greed of gain. They boasted of their knowledge, but they were ignorant of the requirements of God, and were full of hypocrisy. Like the barren tree, they spread their pretentious branches aloft, luxuriant in appearance, and beautiful to the eye, but they yielded "nothing but leaves." The Jewish religion, with its magnificent temple, its sacred altars, its mitered priests and impressive ceremonies, was indeed fair in outward appearance, but humility, love, and benevolence were lacking.

All the trees in the fig orchard were destitute of fruit; but the leafless trees raised no expectation, and caused no disappointment. By these trees the Gentiles were represented. They were as destitute as were the Jews of godliness; but they had not professed to serve God. They made no boastful pretensions to goodness. They were blind to the works and ways of God. With them the time of figs was not yet. They were still waiting for a day which would bring them light and hope. The Jews, who had received greater blessings from God, were held accountable for their abuse of these gifts. The privileges of which they boasted only increased their guilt.

Jesus had come to the fig tree hungry, to find food. So He had come to Israel, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. He had lavished on them His gifts, that they might bear fruit for the blessing of the world. Every opportunity and privilege had been granted them, and in return He sought their sympathy and co-operation in His work of grace. He longed to see in them self-sacrifice and compassion, zeal for God, and a deep yearning of soul for the salvation of their fellow men. Had they kept the law of God, they would have done the same unselfish work that Christ did. But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self-sufficiency. They brought ruin upon themselves by refusing to minister to others. The treasures of truth which God had committed to them, they did not give to the world. In the barren tree they might read both their sin and its punishment. Withered beneath the Saviour's curse, standing forth sere and blasted, dried up by the roots, the fig tree showed what the Jewish people would be when the grace of God was removed from them. Refusing to impart blessing, they would no longer receive it. "O Israel," the Lord says, "thou hast destroyed thyself." Hosea 13:9.

The warning is for all time. Christ's act in cursing the tree which His own power had created stands as a warning to all churches and to all Christians. No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ's merciful, unselfish life. Some who think themselves excellent Christians do not understand what constitutes service for God. They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister. God created them to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed. He designed them to help their fellow men in every possible way. But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity. Those who thus live for self are like the fig tree, which made every pretension but was fruitless. They observe the forms of worship, but without repentance or faith. In profession they honor the law of God, but obedience is lacking. They say, but do not. In the sentence pronounced on the fig tree Christ demonstrates how hateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the open sinner is less guilty than is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory.

The parable of the fig tree, spoken before Christ's visit to Jerusalem, had a direct connection with the lesson He taught in cursing the fruitless tree. For the barren tree of the parable the gardener pleaded, Let it alone this year, until I shall dig about it and dress it; and if it bear fruit, well; but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Increased care was to be given the unfruitful tree. It was to have every advantage. But if it remained fruitless, nothing could save it from destruction. In the parable the result of the gardener's work was not foretold. It depended upon that people to whom Christ's words were spoken. They were represented by the fruitless tree, and it rested with them to decide their own destiny. Every advantage that Heaven could bestow was given them, but they did not profit by their increased blessings. By Christ's act in cursing the barren fig tree, the result was shown. They had determined their own destruction.

 

Briguy,

To continue...

When the Pharisees and Sadducees flocked to the baptism of John, that fearless preacher of righteousness addressed them: "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." These men were actuated by unworthy motives in coming to John. They were men of poisonous principles and corrupt practices. Yet they had no sense of their true condition. Filled with pride and ambition, they would not hesitate at any means to exalt themselves and strengthen their influence with the people. They came to receive baptism at the hand of John that they might better carry out these designs.

John read their motives, and met them with the searching inquiry: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Had they heard the voice of God speaking to their hearts they would have given evidence of the fact by bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. No such fruit was seen. They had heard the warning as merely the voice of man. They were charmed with the power and boldness with which John spoke, but the Spirit of God did not send conviction to their hearts and as the sure result bring forth fruit unto eternal life. They gave no evidence of a change of heart. Without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, John would have them understand that no outward ceremony could benefit them.

The reproof of the prophet is applicable to many in our day. They cannot gainsay the clear and convincing arguments that sustain the truth, but they accept it more as the result of human reasoning than of divine revelation. They have no true sense of their condition as sinners, they manifest no real brokenness of heart; but, like the Pharisees, they feel that it is a great condescension for them to accept the truth.

None are further from the kingdom of heaven than self-righteous formalists, filled with pride at their own attainments, while they are wholly destitute of the spirit of Christ; while envy, jealousy, or love of praise and popularity controls them. They belong to the same class that John addressed as a generation of vipers, children of the wicked one. Such persons are among us, unseen, unsuspected. They serve the cause of Satan more effectively than the vilest profligate; for the latter does not disguise his true character; he appears what he is.

God requires fruit meet for repentance. Without such fruit our profession of faith is of no value. The Lord is able to raise up true believers among those who have never heard His name. "Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

God is not dependent upon men who are unconverted in heart and life. He will never favor any man who practices iniquity. "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." The fruit borne will testify to the character of the tree.
No outward forms can make us clean; no ordinance, administered by the saintliest of men, can take the place of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God must do its work upon the heart. All who have not experienced its regenerating power are chaff among the wheat. Our Lord has His fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. In the coming day He will discern "between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not."

[ February 18, 2003, 07:42 PM: Message edited by: Claudia ]

 

Hi Claudia, Thanks for the posts. You did a lot of work on them and made some good points. Most everything I agree with. Your assessment of the fig tree seemed good. Many things Jesus said and did were directed at the "house of Isreal". Anyway, If I got your point right it is that you believe that the Bible teaches we will be judged by works (service), right?. I think that to seperate works from salvation is hard for some people to take. The fact is Paul did say "not by works" but James said he would show his faith "by his works". Real faith produces real works. If somebody gave you your favorite food and the best prepared ever and you were very very hungry (starving) it is unreasonable to say you would not eat what you were given. You or I or anybody would eat the food. That is what james is saying, works will follow or there must be no food to eat. If the person isn't eating the food it is because it is not before them to eat. Hope that makes sense and thanks so much for the work you did on the posts. You are quite talented and well written.

In Christ,
Brian

 

Well, Brian. I no longer moderate, but I am always willing to help...


BUMP

 

Thanks BC, When did you stop moderating? I guess I should look at the moderater list more carefully. Anyway, hope you are well Hows the music writing going?

In Christ,
Brian

 

Hi Brian.

I had to resign as moderator, due to time constraints. I had to take a 2nd job, (single dad) to make ends meet, and didn't think I could best serve as mod. It broke my heart to resign, but I feel this board will be better served with me stepping down, for a bit. My brothers and sisters in the mod team have been very supportive, and told me to come back to the team ASAP.

My Christmas musical was a disaster. We had a small storm, and most of the child performers didn't make it, and we had equipment problems, and nothing that was recorded sounded good. it was a bummer, we worked so hard on it, but looking back, I was probably doing it for my glory, not for our Heavenly Father's.

"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look..."(from Proverbs 6)

Good to see you so patient with Carson. We'll keep praying that he comes around.

You are a blessing to this board, Brian. We really love having you around.

 

Curtis, thanks for the compliment. You certainly are a blessing to the BB as well. You are one of the "funny guys" on the board and I always enjoy your posts, often they make me laugh.

As for Carson, I like him and I think it is weird when he avoids a thread but I figure I'll spend a few days giving him a chance to respond and then move on. I must have won this debate, don't you think?

IN Christ our Lord,
Brian

PS. Sorry you were disappointed by your music program(Christmas right?) Anyway, what may have seemed "less then perfect" to you was probably quite a blessing to many others

 

Why not------ New week------ New Bump


Where oh where did Carson go, oh where oh where did he go?

-Brian

 

I've come to far to stop now, I must go on, no matter how painful it is. I can do this, I know I can, here it goes,


BUMP!!!!!!!!!

Hi Carson, I know you are there somewhere, please end this pain, please, I beg of you!

-Brian

 

Brian,

Been reading the thread--good posts!

Here is another interesting verse on "justification":
"Wisdom is JUSTIFIED by all her children." (Luke 7:35). Does this mean that wisdom has a "right standing before God" because of her "children"? Rather, I think the use of "justification" in this verse demonstrates the multiple meanings of the word. In the context of James 2, therefore, we can easily see how this "justification" can be seen as proof of our faith before MEN by our works (verse 18) rather than as a basis of a right standing before GOD by our works (which of course would contradict Paul). Therefore your point about the different definitions of "justification" is well taken.

It's also interesting how verse 23 shows that Scripture was FULFILLED that "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted him for righteousness". The Scripture fulfilled was Genesis 15:6 which occurred YEARS before Abraham DEMONSTRATED his faith by offering Isaac. In otherwords, Genesis already declares that Abraham is justified BEFORE the incident involving Isaac that James comments on. This ACT of Abraham merely proves or confirms the FAITH that Abraham has already possessed.

God bless

 

DT, Thanks for the post. I was just reading a couple days ago about exactly what you said. If I remember right it was about 16 years after Abraham was declared righteous that the Issac incident occured. I appreciate the support and the clear way you presented it. Great Job and thanks again.

In Christ,
Brian

 

Bump ------ I just had to do it.

Carson, I have not given up on you yet my friend

-Brian

 

Brian,
Looks like you can expect to wait at least another 40 days before you hear anything from Carson.