____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ May 27, 2001 ____________________________________________________ Was Paul Baptized Standing Up? by Joe R. Price Yes, according to Catholic Answers, a Catholic apologetics ministry (www.catholics.com). Their reasoning? (They say) ``Paul was baptized in a house (Acts 9:17-18). In fact, he was baptized standing up. When Ananias came to baptize him, he said: 'And now why do you wait? Rise [literally, ``stand up''] and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name' (Acts 22:16). Peter performed baptisms in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48), even though bathtubs and swimming pools weren't fixtures of ancient homes. After the earthquake that released him from prison, Paul baptized his jailer and his entire family--within the jailer's house (Acts 16:32-33).'' These Catholic apologists, in trying to prove from the Bible that baptism can be the sprinkling or pouring of water, have ignored the Biblical definition of baptism, eliminated the scriptural significance of being buried when baptized, and manifestly perverted scripture. The New Testament teaches us that ``much water'' is needed to baptize (John 3:23). That is because to ``baptize'' (baptizo) means ``to dip...to immerge, to submerge'' (Thayer's Greek Lexicon, p. 94). Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:12 clearly describe baptism as a death, burial and resurrection [death to sin, buried (united) with Christ, raised to newness of life]. Now, unless the house of Judas (Acts 9:11) had a container of water large enough to submerge a man, Paul was not baptized ``in a house''! Ditto for Cornelius. The Catholics are apparently confused by the meaning of ``house'' and the events of Acts 16:32-34. In verse 32 Paul preached the gospel to the Jailer ``and to all who were in his house.'' House in verse v. 32 is ``family'' in v. 33 (``all his,'' KJV). The Jailer ``took them'' (Paul & Silas), washed their stripes, ``and immediately he and all his family were baptized'' (v. 33). The Jailer then ``brought them into his house" (his dwelling), fed them and there was great rejoicing (v. 34). No, the Jailer and his house were baptized in water sufficient to immerse them. And that was not in the house (the dwelling), since they came back into the dwelling after being baptized (v. 34)! As for Paul, the same is true. Paul was sitting, urged to arise and be baptized. Now, he had to stand up to go to the water and be baptized (Acts 22:16). Acts 22:16 says nothing of Paul's posture when baptized. The Catholics are forcing their ``sprinkling'' mode of baptism into this text. It simply is not there. They know you do not stand while being immersed (baptized) in water. So, they have to read into the text what is not there in order to support their error. -- Via The Exhorter, April 15, 2001 ---------- The Mikveh -- Ancient Baptistery by Steve Klein There is no real evidence from the text of the Scriptures that the baptisms of Paul, Cornelius, the Philippian jailer, or anyone else took place in houses. In fact, in the case of the Jailer, the Scriptures seem to require that the baptisms occurred someplace other than in the house (as noted in the good article above). However, you may find it interesting (as I did) to learn that some ancient dwellings did have containers large enough to submerge a man. While it is unlikely that the baptisms (immersions) of Paul or Cornelius occurred within houses, it would not have been impossible. It is very misleading to say, as some advocates of sprinkling-for-baptism have said, that, ``bathtubs and swimming pools weren't fixtures of ancient homes.'' According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ``The religious Jew was required to cleanse him or herself from ceremonial uncleanness by immersion in a mikveh'' defined as ``an immersion pool used for ritual washing.'' Such pools would be very similar to what we call baptisteries. A number of these pools have been unearthed by archeologists in Israel (Revised ISBE, vol. 3, pp. 353-354). Again, the ISBE states that, ``The presence of a fairly large number of immersion pools by the staircase leading to the temple beyond doubt indicates provision for a multitude of ritual immersions as worshippers approached the temple mount. Some scholars have suggested that this would be the most feasible place for the baptism of the three thousand to have taken place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41).'' Of course, none of this proves that even one person was ever baptized in a mikveh to become a Christian. What it does prove is that we need to be very careful about trying to reinterpret the Bible to fit our unfounded assumptions as to what could or could not be done in ancient times. -- Via The Exhorter, April 15, 2001 ___________________________________________ Works of the Flesh Revelries (Revellings) (Conclusion) by Harry Osborne Attempts to Justify the ``Moderate'' Use of Intoxicants Surely no one would seek to prove that the use of alcohol to the point of drunkenness is ``good.'' Clear Bible passages show such to be wrong (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:10). However, since the end state of intoxication is sinful, the process of getting there could not logically be esteemed as ``good.'' We cannot ``prove'' any level of consuming intoxicants is ``good,'' therefore, we cannot hold fast to the practice (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Normally, the question with Christians regarding the use of alcoholic beverages is not in the area of intoxication, but of the so-called ``moderate consumption'' of these beverages. Is it right for Christians to drink alcoholic beverages as long as they do not get intoxicated? We have already raised serious problems with such a practice, but we want to consider some attempted justifications raised by some. Remember, we cannot say, ``It must be acceptable because no passage condemns it.'' We must ``prove all things, hold fast that which is good.'' One might suggest that 1 Timothy 5:23 would approve the practice. Paul there tells Timothy, ``Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.'' The very best that this passage can do is suggest that it may be ``good'' to use in a medicinal sense if we could assume this ``wine'' was fermented. However, it does not establish that it would be ``good'' in a general use. A parallel could be seen with the fact that sexual relations are good in the marriage relationship (1 Corinthians 7:3; Hebrews 13:4). However, such does not establish that it would be ``good'' in any occasion outside of marriage. Therefore, we must conclude this passage does not prove the practice of moderate, recreational use of intoxicants to be ``good.'' Another passage appealed to by some seeking to justify ``moderate consumption'' of alcohol is the case of Jesus turning the water into wine in John 2. The volume of the six containers is given in verse 6 as two or three firkins. The total volume in our terms would, therefore, have been about 138 gallons. Verse 10 says that the guests had already ``drunk freely'' before this ``wine'' came out. If this had all been ``wine'' as we think of it, alcoholic in content, Jesus would have helped these people to drink in excess, not in moderation. In short, He would have helped them sin! Surely no one calling himself a Christian would desire to take that position. A little bit of reasoning quickly leads us to understand that we must be missing something in our terminology as compared with the way the Bible uses the same words. If we understand the use of the word ``wine'' (oinos) may refer to unfermented juice or a non-intoxicating mixture, we recognize that no such problem exists with Jesus' creation of this drink. In either case, it does not begin to give a justification for consuming modern intoxicants in any quantity. Some claim that the reference made to Jesus as a ``winebibber'' shows that Jesus must have consumed intoxicants at a moderate level or He would not have been called such. This assumption fails to consider the type of ``wine'' Jesus did drink, non-intoxicating. It also fails to grasp the true point of contrast between Jesus and John presented in the context. In Numbers 6:3, the Nazarite was forbidden from partaking of any product of the grape to drink or eat. That passage is the point of reference for the command made to Zacharias in Luke 1:15 regarding his coming son, John. Hence, those who appeal to the false charge against Jesus made in Luke 7:31-35 miss the point about the distinction between John and Jesus. The distinction was that Jesus mingled with the people in day-to-day life, whereas John was a Nazarite and was isolated from such interaction in the wilderness during his ministry. It does not even faintly imply that Jesus was a ``user'' of intoxicating drink. It may also be noted that the passage refers to the false charge of the Pharisees. May it correctly be assumed that all of the false charges against Jesus have some basis in fact? This assumption would present a number of problems about the character and actions of our Lord. Must we also assume that the false charges made by the enemies of Jesus at His trial were based in fact? If so, we will arrive at a far different view of Jesus than that presented by the facts. Modern Society's Use of Alcohol In the 1991 study from the University of Michigan funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it was found that 94.1% of those ages 19-28 use alcohol. The study also examined the use of alcohol by those under college age and the findings were shocking. They discovered that 54% of eighth graders, 72.3% of tenth graders, and 77.7% of twelfth graders identified themselves as ``users'' of alcohol. Should our society's concern over drug use ignore the most used drug? In 1989, the consumption of alcoholic drinks per person was greater than the per capita consumption of soft drinks and fruit juices combined! On average, the typical American adult drank almost 39 gallons of alcoholic beverages in 1989. That is over three gallons of booze a month! In 1992, Americans spent about $56 billion on alcoholic beverages of all kinds. That is almost twice the amount spent in the same period on furniture and home furnishings! Is the use of alcohol showing a grave impact upon our society? The answer must be ``yes'' to anyone who honestly evaluates the evidence. Those receiving treatment for alcohol addiction outnumber those being treated for all other ``drug'' addictions totaled. In 1989, those arrested for alcohol-related crimes outnumbered those arrested for all ``drug abuse'' violations by better than two to one. The hypocrisy of crying about our drug problem while overlooking the most consumed drug in the country, alcohol, is obvious to any thinking person. It makes a mockery of our professed horror over the issue of drug abuse. We need to attack the problem as a nation, but we need to attack the whole problem which includes the problem of alcohol. Until the biblical solution is employed, our nation will continue to suffer the ill effects of justifying the use of intoxicants. Bible Solution to the Use of Intoxicants The Bible's solution may not be popular in our present world, but it will work if put into use. Notice what God says on the issue: Proverbs 23:31-33 -- ``Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.'' Proverbs 20:1 -- ``Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.'' Isaiah 5:11, 22 -- ``Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them! ... Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink.'' Hosea 4:11 -- ``Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.'' Leviticus 10:9-10 -- ``Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.'' The hypocrisy of imbibing of intoxicating drinks while decrying the use of other drugs is totally inconsistent. On the other hand, the Bible solution is rational--reject all recreational use of drugs! Our society needs to formulate its attack on the problem of drugs less from the basis of human hypocrisy and more from the standard of the divine truth. Christians must serve as ``lights'' in rejecting the use of intoxicants at any level amidst a world of darkened users. We cannot compromise and begin to justify ``just a little'' drinking. If we do, our potos may easily become komos, our komos may progress further to methe and our methe may eventually end in oinophlugia. However, even if it does not, we are still involved in sin which condemns the soul with our first step in the process. Be not deceived! -- The Watchman, May 2001 ___________________________________________ News & Notes Shirley Smith (Phil's wife) was admitted to the West Chester hospital recently, due to anemia. Let us pray for a speedy recovery. During my absence next Sunday morning, John Thompson will be teaching the adult Bible class, plus preaching the morning sermon. I plan to be back for the evening worship hour, however, to preach then. Gospel Meeting: Piscataway, NJ. June 1-3. Friday and Saturday: 7:30 PM. Sunday (morning services only): 9:15, 10:00, and 11:00. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________