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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
War and Peace
When Jesus was preparing His disciples for their lives after He ascended to the Father, He said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled” John 14:27.
Wise men have known for years that the only real peace that exists has conflict as a major ingredient. That’s precisely what Jesus told His disciples. They would have infinite peace, but it would come in a life filled with struggles and trials.
Sure enough, social scientists tell us that recorded history reveals only 292 peaceful years out of over 5,000 years. During that time over 14,000 wars have killed 3.64 billion people. Peace—it’s an elusive commodity.
The prophet wrote in Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee.”
What? The key to peace is keeping one’s mind on the Lord, trusting in Him? Are you surprised? Why? Has man been able to realize peace in any other way? You already know the answer to that question.
What then did Jesus mean when He spoke of “peace…not as the world gives...”? How can we get it?
First, we must revise our definition of peace, realizing it is not found in the absence of conflict but in the midst of conflict. We all enjoy an evening at home resting from the day’s labors, but there is more to peace than “rest.” We must be able to face each day’s conflicts with confidence that God is still in control, still worthy of our trust. Trust that God’s promises are true, that He will “be with you always,” Matthew 28:20. If we expect a life without trials and struggles we will be disappointed. But if we seek peace within a world of conflict, we can deal with whatever trouble Satan can hurl at us.
Second, we must accept the fact that the Christian’s life will include opposition and even persecution, 2 Timothy 3:12. We may wish that such is not so, but those obstacles can make us grow. Opportunities to grow are given us, but those same opportunities often involve the very suffering of which Jesus spoke in His final instructions, John 14-16.
Third, we must allow our struggles to give us strength. God’s promise to provide strength is seen in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There, he says strength is available (3:16), but at least some of that strength must come from our effort. He will strengthen us, but we must
“be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (6:19). 1 Peter 5:10 gives similar assurance: “The God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Jesus’ disciples accomplished an enormous task in taking the gospel to the “whole world,” Colossians 1:6, 23. They did it in the midst of tremendous opposition. We can do the same if we are willing to allow life’s conflicts to strengthen us.
The Apostle Paul was able to accomplish great things in his years of preaching. He taught in many places and established the church in difficult circumstances. If anyone could have expected an easy time of growing old, Paul would be high on the list. However, because of those accomplishments there was given to him a “thorn in the flesh” lest he be “exalted above measure.” He prayed that his infirmity might be removed, but God’s response was “no.” Paul came to realize that “when I am weak, then am I strong,” 2 Corinthians 12:9. According to tradition, his death came at the hand of enemies of Christ, but the struggles he faced did not destroy or weaken him. In fact, they were the instruments of his strengthening.
Can we live in a world in which trials and opposition exist and often prevail? Of course—we must! We are promised a peace that “surpasses understanding,” far more wonderful than that which comes from earthly victories, Philippians 4:4-9. It allows us to “rejoice in the Lord always,” and to enjoy the abundant life now as well as the “hope of eternal life,” John 10:10 and Titus 3:7.
What we need right now are some genuine peace makers, not just peace talkers. Jesus would be pleased, Matthew 5:9.
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The following is said to be a true story:
“Following World War II, hoping to elicit a new world devoted to peace, an artist was given a commission to paint a picture of peace. When it was unveiled, many were dismayed. It was a pastoral scene, with a cottage surrounded by beautiful trees, smoke rising from the chimney. But the surroundings were anything but peaceful. Winds were blowing, lightning flashing, and clouds threatening. “How can this be a scene of peace?” asked some.
The artist then pointed to a limb on one of the swaying trees. There, shielding her young, a mother bird watched as they slept peacefully through the storm. “That,” announced the artist, “is the only peace our world will ever enjoy. Peace in the midst of the storms of life.”
This is a lesson all Christians must learn.
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God's Word and Infant Baptism
The reason infant baptism came into practice was because of the teaching of original sin. This is the idea that we inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin, and that we inherit a corrupt, sinful nature. Therefore, it is thought that a baby needs to be baptized to remove inherited sin. What does the Word of God say about this?
According to God’s truth, sin is not something inherited, but is something which is personally committed. We read in 1 John 3:4, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” Has a baby committed lawlessness, that is, has he broken a law of God? Of course not. Infants do not have the moral capacity to know good from evil, Deuteronomy 1:39; Isaiah 7:16. Jesus said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 18:3. Was Jesus suggesting we must become like corrupt, sinful children? Obviously he is using children as an example of the purity that is necessary to enter the kingdom.
Ezekiel 18:20 forever settles the matter. This text says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die; the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son.” Here God’s Word clearly teaches that children do not inherit sin! Paul said that each of us shall give account – not for Adams’ sin – but for what we have personally done, 2 Corinthians 5:10.
If it is true that an infant is born guilty of sin and must be baptized, then this would mean infants who die without being baptized are lost in hell. Who can imagine a just God punishing an innocent baby for someone else’s sin? The teaching of “original sin” is a monstrous concept clearly contradictory to God’s Word.
In order to be a proper subject for baptism, one must first believe and repent. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved,” Mark 16:16. Can a baby believe? Peter proclaimed “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins…” Acts 2:38. Can an infant repent? As we noted, a baby has no sins for which to repent. The word of God shows that infants simply do not need nor can they qualify to be baptized.
Further, baptism is not a sprinkling or pouring, as is commonly done in the case of infants. The word “baptize” is from the Greek term which means to submerge, to immerse. It therefore involves the individual going down into the water and coming up out of the water, as is seen in Acts 8:38-39. Baptism is described as a burial, Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12. If we sprinkle a little dirt on a casket, we have not buried it. Likewise, if we have had water sprinkled on us, we have not been immersed or buried, and therefore we have not been baptized.
There is not a single case in the Word of God of an infant being baptized. Remember that the Word of God is the authority, John 12:48, and the whole concept of infant baptism is contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God. Remember Jesus said, “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men,” Matthew 15:9. Infant baptism is a commandment of men, not of God. It is not part of the doctrine of Christ and we read in 2 John 9, “Whosoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” For the sake of your soul, we urge you to reflect carefully on these matters and accept God’s truth.
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