Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Doing All In Jesus Name

The Bible says in Colossians 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." This is an interesting admonition in the Bible.  If taken literally, we should get up in the morning in Jesus name.  We should go about our daily tasks in Jesus  name. When we speak to people we should do it in Jesus name. When we retire for the night, we should do it in Jesus name! Sounds kind of radical doesn't it?  Well to a born again believer, the greatest desire of his or her heart is to glorify and magnify the Lord Jesus and to see others saved to the uttermost.  Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, referred to some who preached Christ, "supposing to add affliction to (his) bonds..."  His earnest expectation and hope was "that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."  The great apostle said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (see Philippians 1:15-21)  That does sound kind of radical doesn't it?  It is because of this radical view of serving the Lord Jesus that we believe in being baptized in Jesus name.  Look in your Bible in Acts 2:38 and Acts 4:12.   Not to mention that in no instance in the Biblical record of the early church was anyone anywhere ever baptized in any other name but in Jesus name. Someone might say then that we believe in "baptismal regeneration." Not at all, but Jesus did say in Mark 16:16 that "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."  He went on to say "he that believeth not shall be damned," It would seem then that baptism won't save us if we don't believe the gospel.  However Peter said that "baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..." No, if you just get wet without repentance, being baptized won't save you. But if you have purified your heart by faith in Jesus and what He did at Calvary, e.g., you  have repented and have a good conscience toward God by Jesus' resurrection,  get radical, be baptized in Jesus name today!

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