Saturday, May 17, 2014

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT
WATER BAPTISM
      Is Peter the Foundation of the Church? Is Sprinkling of Infants Scriptural? Must everyone be baptized to be Saved? What about Baptism in Jesus’ Name? Can Children be Baptized? What is meant by ‘Baptized for the dead’? A Complete Biblical Study on Water Baptism. Unbiased, Non-Sectarian & Non-Denominational.  A Book for Pastors, Missionaries, Evangelists, Bible School Students and Laymen!
THE HOLY BIBLE
The Holy Bible is the unchangeable, inerrant, indisputable, indestructible, immutable, infallible, immeasurable, indefeasible, indissoluble, authorative, pure and perfect, inspired, absolute, positive, complete and total Word of God!
 The Holy Bible is irreplaceable, indispensable, irresistible, irrevocable, and incomparable. It is totally dependable, responsible, unassailable, impregnable, unshakeable, inexhaustible and unlimited. The Holy Bible does not only contain the Word of God but is the Word of God!
       The Holy Scriptures have no equal or even comparable competition! The Holy Bible is the impeccable, unconquerable, unrelenting, indomitable, never failing, always ready, profound, eternal and everlasting Word of our Lord.
     The Word of God is soul searching, mind renewing, spirit quickening, body healing, confidence building, faith creating, peace bringing, oppression lifting, guilt removing, demon exorcising, disease destroying, health restoring, fruit bearing and joy producing!
THE WORKS OF MEN WILL PASS AWAY!
      The words of philosophers, authors, scientists, revolutionaries, politicians and world leaders are often forgotten during their lifetime.
      The teachings of professors, the writings of poets, the sculptures and paintings of  'men of art,' the rhetoric of dictators, the unscientific, manufactured and sometimes deliberately fabricated lies of evolutionists, the archaeological, astronomical and nuclear findings of 'men of Science,' the journals of medical men, explorers and adventurers, together with the text books of both true and false theologians and religious men may be around for centuries and perhaps as long as this world stands.
     The Holy Bible, however, will outlive and outlast them all, because the Holy Bible is the Divine Word of God and will continue to exist for both time and eternity! Amen.
                                                                   -  Pastor Max Solbrekken, 1968
PREFACE
      Water Baptism is practiced by different Faiths and Religious organizations around the World. Various modes and methods are used to administer this sacrament to the applicant and also various interpretations are placed on the meaning of the word baptism and what it represents.
It is not the purpose of this book to convert anyone over to the views and doctrines of a certain Church organization, Denomination or Religious Order, but rather to present the clear teachings of the Holy Scriptures in the matter of Water Baptism!
I am not concerned about what religious men have to say about baptism, but I am vitally interested in what Jesus Christ had to say on the subject. Many gifted men have written articles and books on the subject of Water Baptism and other Bible Doctrines. These may be good and fine but they will never take the place of Christ's Doctrines and teachings. Men can make mistakes, but Jesus Christ is never wrong! He is The Way, Truth and Life. (John 14:6)
The Roman Pope, Joseph Smith, Judge Rutherford, Mary Baker Eddy, Martin Luther, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and other writers could have made mistakes and many did, but God's Word, the Holy Bible is perfect, divine, authoritative, pure and void of error!
The Book of Mormon, Koran, Roman Missile and Prayer Books, Watch Tower, Plain Truth magazines and other religious writings could be wrong and many such writings are erroneous! The Holy Bible, however, will stand as a great tower of never failing strength and as a Great Lighthouse of Truth forever!
      Therefore, in this message I present the words of Jesus:  Not the words of a Religious Ruler, Holy Man or Pope, but rather the words of the Son of God Who alone lived an infallible and perfect life before meeting the demands of Divine Justice on Calvary’s cross to purchase Eternal Life for all who believe on Him and by faith accept His pardon and cleansing for their sins.
     I do not teach from the writings of men, but from the doctrines of Jesus Christ, as found in the ‘Book of Books’, the Holy Bible. As you read these lines, do so with an open heart and mind. Throw aside all preconceived ideas, traditions of men, dogmas and ritualistic beliefs you have formed in your mind regarding Water Baptism, and allow me to share with you with some straightforward Bible truths on the subject!
THE GREAT COMMISSION:
GIVEN BY JESUS TO THE CHURCH!
     Just before Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven and sat down at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High, He appeared to the Eleven Disciples and gave them final instructions concerning the work they had to do and the future ministry of those who would believe on Him.
     The Bible states: "And He said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe:
    “In my Name shall they cast out devils. In My Name shall they speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; They shall lay their hands on the sick and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18)
The charge that Jesus gave His disciples is commonly known as the ‘Great Commission’. In this Commission, which sets forth the ministry of the Church from the Day of Pentecost until the Rapture, Water Baptism plays a very important and vital role. Jesus defines Salvation in very clear words: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned."
  Then, He reveals the power of the Gospel, by identifying the exploits that Believers would do in His Name. His promise majors on the supernatural aspect of the Gospel like miracles of deliverance, exorcising evil spirits, protection against venomous snakes and accidental poisoning, as well as the supernatural gift of “speaking in unknown tongues!
 Water Baptism, I repeat, must be very important and more than that, it is necessary because Jesus included it in His Great Commission: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  He that believeth not shall be damned."
GREAT LIGHTHOUSE OF TRUTH
In Matt. 28: 18-20, we read another account of Jesus' last words to His disciples in the Great Commission: "And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All Power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth. Go Ye therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and The Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen".
      In giving His disciples their charge, Jesus commanded them not only to, “Go into all the world to teach” but also to baptize those who would believe. Thank God for the clarity of Jesus' Words in this matter also!
    The Word of God is steadfast, unchanging, immutable, inerrant and life-giving! You can depend upon His Word, and this book is based entirely on God’s revelation to man, the Holy Bible. It is indeed the ‘Great Lighthouse of Truth’ that brings salvation to lost humanity! Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Believe His Word and you will be safe!