Yesterday afternoon I was in Lincoln, and as the weather continually got worse, my dad didn’t want me on the roads so I ended up staying in Lincoln with my grandma. Grandma had decided that she wanted to go to church on Saturday night instead of having to get up this morning and head out. So of course I went with her and God really got a hold of my heart. You see, God really opened my eyes to the Devils deception. On Saturday night I witnessed a baby baptism. And my heart was so burdened. As the minister explained to the family, and church that after the baby was sprinkled with water he was then saved and added to Gods family. “and because the baby cannot answer for himself, the church all professed faith, and rejected sin for him.”
I just wanted to cry, I wanted to stand up on my chair and shout, I wanted to go up to that dear sweet mother and tell her the truth. Unfortunately I was not given the opportunity then and there. But im making the opportunity right now. I just have to put it bluntly. That baby is no more saved now then he was before. sprinkling ¾ of a cup of water on that baby did no more good to save his soul then dunking him in a cow tank would do. Water can not save our souls, doing good works can not earn us an eternal place in heaven. Being a good person, and going to church cant even pay the way. It is ONLY through Jesus Christ ALONE. Jesus says in John 14:6 “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No man cometh unto the Father BUT BY ME. You see there is NO other way. The Bible also says “Neither is there salvation in ANY OTHER: for there is none other name under heaven given among me, whereby we must be saved: (Acts 4:12)
Salvation isn’t complicated. In fact God made it so simple… its us HUMANS that try to make it complicated. Its no 12 step program, its nothing that we have to work for, or be good enough to have. If that were so. There would be NO hope of anyone going to heaven! Who are we kidding? We cant save ourselves anymore than we can be entirely perfect for the rest of our lives. (impossible!) but God can save. He paid the way. “For God so loved the World that he gave his ONLY begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, For God sent NOT his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) you see. God knew that we could not save ourselves. We are so hopeless, so sinful. Since God cant even look at sin, (and since sin is our human nature - “For ALL have sinned and come short of the Glory of God Romans 3:23”) there was only ONE option. Someone had to pay the price for sin. Some one perfect, with out ONE single spot of sin. And someone entirely willing. That only someone was Gods own Son. So Jesus came. Grew up and lived a perfect life. And finally went to the cross. And paid the ultimate the price for a debt that we could never pay. Jesus gave his last breath for our lives. He died and went to the grave. But He didn’t stay long. Jesus Christ conquered death, but his resurrection. And its ONLY because and through Him that we can be saved. If there was any other way…. Then Jesus came, lived, and died in VAIN. Jesus offers eternal life to us as a gift. Its not forced upon us, but freely offered. But without accepting Christ gift of salvation that He paid for with his own blood. We are eternally doomed to hell….forEVER. Life doesn’t end when we die…it goes on for all eternity. But what we do with Jesus Christ and his gift right now determines our eternal security. it’s a decision that we have to make. To reject or accept. that’s all there is to it. We don’t have to work our way, climb to the top of the ladder, complete a program, or be a good enough. “for by GRACE are ye saved. THROUGH FAITH: and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of GOD. NOT OF WORKS lest any man should boast.
So what are YOU going to do? I pray that each one of you accepts Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He is not willing that ANY should perish but the ALL should come to repentance (1Peter 3:9) All we have to do is Believe and Call upon the Lord.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
9 comments:
AMEN! I think that's all I can say; amen! Very, very important message...that was so good of you to post that, thanks Lakota! Your passion for the truth is contagious!!! It's just so sad how people think they can get to heaven by what they do or by their works; my first card assignment at Apologetics was "Analyze and respond to the following statement, Every charitable act is a stepping stone to heaven." It was awesome to get to do a card set on that subject! We're supposed to do good works as proof of our salvation, but those good works aren't what gets us to heaven, and they most certainly aren't what save us, that's for sure! So yes, amen!
~Lizzy the Patriot~
Lakota, that was SO GOOD!!! I am SO proud of you for posting that. That is so sad about that baby baptism - UGH! Was that a Catholic 'service' you went to?
Like Lizzy said, your passion for the truth is contagious! Amen!!! Thank-you for being such an awesome encouragement!
Love you girl!
That was so awesome! You totally rock! God has given you much wisdom and it is such a blessing that you share it here with other people.
I cannot understand why people think babies can be "saved", it has always upset me. :/ I feel bad for the babies, because when they grow up someone will tell them "oh you were baptized as a baby, you're ok", and unless they find the Lord and truly get saved, they will continue buying into that lie. {I know someone who this has happened to} It's sad....
Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful week!!!
~Kelsey
“That baby is no more saved now then he was before.”
So you believe all infants go to hell when they die?
Lakota: Please correct me if this is all wrong; I don't want to put words in your mouth!
Miss Laura: I think infant deaths is one of the most difficult questions of theology -- there's simply no biblical evidence for baptizing babies in water. However, there's simply no mention of what to do when an infant dies. Instead, we have to step back and take a look at the greater picture.
John 1:9 says, "(Jesus) was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
So we must assume that at some point, before OR after death, he comes to each infant that is born and offers them light.
Each of the gospels records God's care for even the sparrows -- he watches over them all.
His love is everlasting. He cares for the simplest, smallest life forms. He is righteousness, he is just. He will never abandon even an infant, he will never cast them into hell without first touching them and offering his grace and salvation.
So while there is no biblical reference towards baptizing babies in water at a young age, there is plenty of biblical reference showing us that he will never, ever, condemn an infant to hell without first reaching out and offering them some means of salvation. Not through what men can do. Not through tradition. Through his own spirit.
Maybe that answers your question a bit? I'd be most interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter -- my view on baptizing babies is somewhat narrow, and I'd love to learn about the "other side" of the question.
Oh and Lakota, do you agree with me? Is that what you were thinking, too?
Hello Merrill Jane,
Thank you for your response. In the interest of clarity let me say that I was not addressing the validity of infant baptism, I was questioning Lakota’s statement that “that baby is no more saved now then he was before.” It appears to me that her statement would imply, or even explicitly state, that all infants would ipso facto go to hell when they die, as they are not “saved”. I am not of that opinion and wanted some clarification from Lakota. If you would like to discuss the propriety of infant baptism I am always willing to do so but right now I’ll stick with infant salvation.
You apparently would believe with me that not all infants go to hell. Your choice of support text is interesting. I’m not sure if that’s an appropriate use of that text but maybe I’m wrong. I think it creates problems for you. If the phrase “every man” includes infants then when Rom 12:3 says “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” It must mean that infants do indeed have faith. I think you will agree that just because it says “every” it doesn’t necessarily include infants. Also, if God offers this salvation you speak of after death then that doesn’t square with what I’ve been taught about salvation. Maybe I’ve been taught wrong but it seems to me that the bible teaches that there is no salvation after you die. If God offers salvation before the infant dies then you would have to believe that the infant can indeed respond in faith and you would lose all reason not to baptize them. Am I missing something?
You make it quite clear that you feel strongly about “biblical evidence”, “there's simply no biblical evidence” and “there is no biblical reference”. I applaud you in that. I too must have biblical authority for everything I believe. You say, “there is plenty of biblical reference showing us that he will never, ever, condemn an infant to hell without first reaching out and offering them some means of salvation.” If you have time can you please provide the “plenty of biblical reference”? I am still wrestling with this and would like to see your take on the scripture.
If you would like to continue a discussion on the biblical legitimacy of infant baptism, I would happy to do so. You can find my email address on my blogger profile. I look forward to more future correspondence. If you’d be interested, we could even post our discussion on our blogs for others to read. It may make for some interesting feedback.
Thanks for putting this message out there, Koda! So many people twist the Bible's message wrongly, Jesus died so we could be forgiven of our sin, it is so sad that Satin makes it as though His gift were nothing. Babys' sin without knowing it because they are innocent. One day though, when sin is conscious this baby will believe that his sins are already paid for, real repentance (salvation) will then not come unless this thinking is changed. This is a very sad but very important truth, and I am very happy to see it being exposed! Keep on speaking up girly! <3
~Kata B.
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