Confidence In Forgiveness Through Baptism

# 578 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:13,14 “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”

The word here for “children” is “childling” and it is used in Scripture to indicate infants. The word “touch” means, “to attach oneself to.” and this incident is a beautiful picture of infant baptism. Parents bring their infant children to Jesus for the purpose of becoming attached to Him. Notice who does the touching or the attaching. Jesus!

It is necessary to bring these infants because they have an original sin problem that must be dealt with! In baptism our sins are washed away. Ac 22:16b says, 'Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

It is also in baptism that the new birth comes, Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

And Mr 16:16 says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Baptism is a gift from God, and a necessary element of salvation. Yes God is gracious and merciful, but why disdain this method He has given us to confidently bring our children to Him for cleansing and salvation?

Father, thank You for Your means of grace. Thank You for this sure method of attachment to Jesus that You have given Your children.

The Leaven of the Pharisees: Salvation On Our Terms

# 493 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:13-15 “And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

In Matthew's account of this incident, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were the ones that had confronted Jesus asking for the heaven rending sign. Mark lumps the Sadducees with the Herodians. And with the latest confrontation still fresh in the minds of the disciples Jesus “charges” His disciples.

This is a very important word. To charge someone is to command them to take on a responsibility. Jesus was giving His disciples the charge to (1) “take heed” (that is pay attention to,) and (2). “beware.” (The word means “see”)

In a nutshell, He is giving His church the responsibility to pay attention to the teachings of these two groups and to “see” them for what they truly are. False teaching.

The primary false teaching of both groups was they wanted salvation on their own terms, and so they demanded a sign. This kind of false teaching is still with us today. (God must be the way we want Him to be or He is not going to be our God!) This is not a dog and pony show folks. Salvation is never on our terms, it is always on God's terms and His terms are simple. Believe, be baptized. Be saved. (Mr 16:16)

Father, forgive us. Why do we call Jesus, Lord, Lord, and not do the things He says? Help us to embrace Your terms, for Your kingdom, and cease from adding to or subtracting from Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen