Christadelphian History 

The Christadelphians Then and Now by Frank G. Jannaway

1. The Christadelphians Then and Now:
A Plea for the Birmingham Statement of Faith.

This enlightening booklet, written in 1927 by brother Frank G. Jannaway, provides a firsthand account of the rationale behind the 1923 "Berean withdrawal" from the Birmingham (Temperance Hall) Fellowship. The latter would become known as Central from around 1932 and on.

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2. Christadelphian History and The Biblical Fellowship (2006)

Discussed is the foundation of fellowship, a summary of ecclesial history, the fellowship today, those who have exited the fellowship, contenders in other groups, a time to stay and a time to leave, and a word to those in other groups.

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DeityManifest.jpg
Photo : Dr. John Thomas (c.1869)
fellowshipped The Christadelphians in 1847.
Awaiting resurrection since 1871.



THE COMPLETE CHRISTADELPHIAN STATEMENT OF FAITH

Also known as the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith (BASF)


CLAUSES 1-30:


THE FOUNDATION -- That the book currently known as the Bible, consisting of the Scriptures of Moses, the prophets, and the apostles, is the only source of knowledge concerning God and His purposes at present extant or available in the earth, and that the same were wholly given by inspiration of God in the writers, and are consequently without error in all parts of them, except such as may be due to errors of transcription or translation.
2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Cor. 2:13; Heb. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 14:37; Neh. 9:30; John 10:35.

1. That the only true God is He Who was revealed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by angelic visitation and vision, and to Moses at the flaming bush (unconsumed) and at Sinai, and Who manifested Himself in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the supreme self-existent Deity, the ONE FATHER, dwelling in unapproachable light, yet everywhere present by His Spirit, which is a unity with His person in heaven. He hath, out of His own underived energy, created heaven and earth, and all that in them is.
Isa. 40:13-25; 43:10-12; 44:6-8; 45:5; 46:9-10; Job 38-40; Deut. 6:1-4; Mark 12:29-32; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5; Neh. 9:6; Job 26:13; Psa. 124:8; 146:6; 148:5; Isa. 40:25-27; Jer. 10:12-13; 27:5; 32:17-25; 51:15; Acts 14:15; 17:24; 1 Chron. 29:11-14; Psa. 62:11; 145:3; Isa. 26:4; 40:26; Job 9:4; 36:5; Psa. 92:5; 104:24; 147:4-5; Isa. 28:29; Rom. 16:27; 1 Tim. 1:17; 2 Chron. 16:9; Job 28:24; 34:21; Psa. 33:13-14; 44:21; 94:9; 139:7-12; Prov. 15:3; Jer. 23:24; 32:19; Amos 9:2-3; Acts 17:27-28; Psa. 123:1; 1 Kings 8:30-39, 43, 49; Matt. 6:9; 1 Tim. 6:15-16; 1:17.

2. That Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, begotten of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, without the intervention of man, and afterwards anointed with the same Spirit, without measure, at his baptism.
Matt. 1 :23; 1 Tim. 3: 16; Acts 2:22-24, 36; Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-35; Gal. 4:4; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 3:16-17; Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1; John 3:34; 7:16; 8:26-28; 14:10-24.

3. That the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth on the earth was necessitated by the position and state into which the human race had been brought by the circumstances connected with the first man.
1 Cor. 15:21-22; Rom. 5:12-19; Gen. 3:19; 2 Cor. 5:19-21.

4. That the first man was Adam, whom God created out of the dust of the ground as a living soul, or natural body of life, "very good" [Publisher's Note: Gen. 1:31] in kind and condition, and placed him under a law through which the continuance of life was contingent on obedience.
Gen. 2:7; 18:27; Job 4:19; 33:6; 1 Cor. 15:46-49; Gen. 2:17.

5. That Adam broke this law, and was adjudged unworthy of immortality, and sentenced to return to the ground from whence he was taken-a sentence which defiled and became a physical law of his being, and was transmitted to all his posterity.
Gen. 3:15-19, 22-23; 2 Cor. 1:9; Rom. 7:24; 2 Cor. 5:2-4; Rom. 7:18-23; Gal. 5:16-17; Rom. 6:12; 7:21; John 3:6; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22; Psa. 51:5; Job 14:4.

6. That God, in His kindness, conceived a plan of restoration which, without setting aside His just and necessary law of sin and death, should ultimately rescue the race from destruction, and people the earth with sinless immortals.
Rev. 21 :4; John 3: 16; 2 Tim. 1: 10; 1 John 2:25; 2 Tim. 1: 1; Titus 1:2; Rom. 3:26; John 1:29.

7. That He inaugurated this plan by making promises to Adam, Abraham and David, and afterwards elaborated it in greater detail through the prophets.
Gen. 3:15; 22:18; Psa. 89:34-37; 33:5; Hos. 13:14; Isa. 25:7-9; 51:1-8; Jer. 23:5.

8. That these promises had reference to Jesus Christ, who was to be raised up in the condemned line of Abraham and David, and who, though wearing their condemned nature, was to obtain a title to resurrection by perfect obedience, and, by dying, abrogate the law of condemnation for himself, and all who should believe and obey him.
1 Cor. 15:45; Heb. 2:14-16; Rom. 1:3; Heb. 5:8-9; 1:9; Rom. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 8:3-4; Heb. 2:15; 9:26; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 7:27; 5:3-7; 2:17; Rom. 6:10; 6:9; Acts 13:34-37; Rev. 1:18; John 5:21-22, 26-27; 14:3; Rev. 2:7; 3:21; Matt. 25:21; Heb. 5:9; Mark 16:16; Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:22;

9. That it was this mission that necessitated the miraculous begettal of Christ of a human mother, enabling him to bear our condemnation, and, at the same time, to be a sinless bearer thereof, and, therefore, one who could rise after suffering the death required by the righteousness of God.
Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; Isa. 7:14; Rom. 1:3-4; 8:3; Gal. 4:4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 2:14-17; 4:15.

10. That being so begotten of God, and inhabited and used by God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was Emmanuel, God with us, God manifested in the flesh-yet was, during his natural life, of like nature with mortal man, being made of a woman of the house and lineage of David, and therefore a sufferer, in the days of his flesh, from all the effects that came by Adam's transgression including the death that passed upon all man, which he shared by partaking of their physical nature.
Matt. 1:23; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:17.

11. That the message he delivered from God to his kinsmen, the Jews, was a call to repentance from every evil work, the assertion of his divine sonship and Jewish kingship; and the proclamation of the glad tidings that God would restore their kingdom through him, and accomplish all things written in the prophets.
Mark l:l5; Matt. 4:17; 5:20-48; John 10:36; 9:35; 11:27; 19:21; 1:49; Matt. 27:11-43; John 10:24-25; Matt. 19:28; 21:42-43; 23:38-39; 25:14-46; Luke 4:43; 13:27-30; 19:11-27; 22:28-30; Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:44.

12. That for delivering this message, he was put to death by the Jews and Romans who were, however, but instruments in the hands of God, for the doing of that which He had determined before to be done-namely, the condemnation of sin in the flesh, through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all, as a propitiation to declare the righteousness of God, as a basis for the remission of sins. All who approach God through this crucified, but risen, representative of Adam's disobedient race, are forgiven. Therefore, by a figure, his blood cleanseth from sin.
Luke 19:47; 20:1-26; John 11:45-53; Acts 10:38-39; 13:26-29; 4:27-28; Rom. 8:3; Heb. 10:10; Rom. 3:25; Acts 13:38; 1 John 1:7; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Pet. 3:18; 2:24; Heb. 9:14; 7:27; 9:26-28; Gal. 1:4; Rom. 3:25; 15:8; Gal. 3:21-22; Gal. 2:21; 4:4-5; Heb. 9:15; Luke 22:20; 24:26, 46-47; Matt. 26:28.

13. That on the third day, God raised him from the dead, and exalted him to the heavens as priestly mediator between God and man, in the process of gathering from among them a people who should be saved by the belief and obedience of the Truth.
1 Cor. 15:4; Acts 10:40; 13:30-37; 2:24-27; 4:27-33;

14. That he is a priest over his own house only, and does not intercede for the world, or for professors who are abandoned to disobedience. That he makes intercession for his erring brethren, if they confess and forsake their sins.
Luke 24:51; Eph. 1:20; Acts 5:31; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8: 1; Acts 15:14; 13:39; Heb. 4:14-l5.

15. That he sent forth apostles to proclaim salvation through him, as the only Name given under heaven whereby men may be saved.
Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 26:16-18; 4:12.

16. That the way to obtain this salvation is to believe the Gospel they preached, and to take on the Name and service of Christ, by being thereupon immersed in water, and continuing patiently in the observance of all things he has commanded, none being recognized as his friends except those who do what he has commanded.
Acts 13:48; 16:31; Mark 16:16; Rom. 1:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 10:47-48; 8:12; Gal. 3:27-29; Rom. 6:3-5; 2:7; Matt. 28:20; John 15:14.

17. That the Gospel consists of "The things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ."
Acts 8:12; 19:8, 10, 20; 28:30-31.

18. That the "Things of the Kingdom of God" are the facts testified concerning the Kingdom of God in the writings of the prophets and apostles, and definable as in the next 12 paragraphs.

19. That God will set up a Kingdom in the earth, which will overthrow all others, and change them into "the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ."
Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; Rev. 11:15; Isa. 32:1, 16; 2:3-4; 11:9-10.

20. That for this purpose God will send Jesus Christ personally to the earth at the close of the times of the Gentiles.
Acts 3:20-21; Psa. 102:16, 21; 2 Tim. 4:1, Acts 1:9, 11; Dan. 7:13

21. That the Kingdom which he will establish will be the Kingdom of Israel restored, in the territory it formerly occupied, namely, the land bequeathed for an everlasting possession to Abraham and his Seed (the Christ) by covenant.
Mic. 4:6-8; Amos 9:11, 15; Eze. 37:21-22; Jer. 23:3, 8; Gen. 13: 14-17; Heb. 11:8-9; Gal. 3: 16; Lev. 26:42; Mic. 7:20.

22. That this restoration of the Kingdom again to Israel will involve the ingathering of God's chosen but scattered nation, the Jews; their reinstatement in the land of their fathers, when it shall have been reclaimed from "the desolation of many generations"; the building again of Jerusalem to become "the throne of the Lord" and the metropolis of the whole earth.
Isa. 11:12; Jer. 31:10; Zec. 8:8; Eze. 36:34-36; Isa. 5l:3; 60:15; 62:4; Jer. 3: 17; Mic. 4:7-8; Joel 3: 17; Isa. 24:23.

23. That the governing body of the Kingdom so established will be the brethren of Christ, of all generations, developed by resurrection and change, and constituting, with Christ as their head, the collective "Seed of Abraham," in whom all nations will be blessed, and comprising "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets," and all in their age of like faithfulness.
Dan. 12:2; Luke 13:28; Rev. 11:18; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40; Luke 14:14; Matt. 25:34, 46

24. That at the appearing of Christ prior to the establishment of the Kingdom, the responsible (namely, those who know the revealed will of God, and have been called upon to submit to it), dead and living -- obedient and disobedient -- will be summoned before his judgment seat "to be judged according to their works," and "receive in body according to what they have done, whether it be good or bad."
2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1; Rom. 2:5-6, 16; 14:10-12; 1 Cor. 4:5; Rev. 11:18.

25. That the unfaithful will be consigned to shame and "the second death," and the faithful, invested with immortality, and exalted to reign with Jesus as joint heirs of the Kingdom, co-possessors of the earth, and joint administrators of God's authority among men in everything.
Matt. 7:26; 8:12; 25:20-30; Dan. 12:2; Gal. 6:8; 5:21; 2 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:26-31; 2 Pet. 2:12; Rev. 21:8; Mal. 4:1; Psa. 37:30-38; Prov. 10:25-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 2 Cor. 5:1-4; James 1:12; Rom. 2:7; John 10:28; Matt. 5:5; Psa. 37:9, 22, 29; Rev. 5:9; Dan. 7:27; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2: 12; Rev. 5: 10; Psa. 49:7-9; Luke 22:29-30.

26. That the Kingdom of God, thus constituted, will continue a thousand years, during which sin and death will continue among the earth's subject inhabitants, though in a much milder degree than now.
Rev. 20:4-9; 11:15; Isa. 65:20; Eze. 44:22, 25; 1 Cor. 15:24-28.

27. That a law will be established which shall go forth to the nations for their "instruction in righteousness," resulting in the abolition of war to the ends of the earth, and the "filling of the earth with the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea."
Mic. 4:2; Isa. 42:4; 11: 1-10; 2:4; Hab. 2:14.

28. That the mission of the Kingdom will be to subdue all enemies, and finally death itself, by opening up the way of life to the nations, which they will enter by faith, during the thousand years, and (in reality) at their close.
1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:4; 20:12-15; Isa. 25:6-8.

29. That at the close of the thousand years, there will be a general resurrection and judgment, resulting in the final extinction of the wicked, and the immortalization of those who shall have established their title (under the grace of God) to eternal life during the thousand years.
Rev. 20:11-15; 1 Cor. 15:24.

30. That the government will then be delivered up by Jesus to the Father, Who will manifest Himself as the "All-in-All"; sin and death having been taken out of the way, and the race completely restored to the friendship of the Deity.
1 Cor. 15:28.

DOCTRINES TO BE REJECTED (1-35)

1. Reject: That the Bible is only partly the work of inspiration--or if wholly so, contains errors which inspiration has allowed.
2. Reject: That God is three persons.
3. Reject: That the Son of God was co-eternal with the Father.
4. Reject: That Christ was born with a 'free life.'
5. Reject: That Christ's nature was immaculate.
6. Reject: That the Holy Spirit is a person distinct from the Father.
7. Reject: That man has an immortal soul.
8. Reject: That man consciously exists in death.
9. Reject: That the wicked will suffer eternal torture in hell.
10. Reject: That the righteous will ascend to the kingdoms beyond the skies when they die.
11. Reject: That the devil is a supernatural being.
12. Reject: That the Kingdom of God is 'the church.'
13. Reject: That the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ merely.
14. Reject: That Christ will not come till the close of the thousand years.
15. Reject: That the tribunal of Christ, when he comes, is not for judgement of saints, but merely to divide among them different degrees of reward.
16. Reject: That the resurrection is confined to the faithful.
17. Reject: That the dead rise in an immortal state.
18. Reject: That the subject-nations of the thousand years are immortal.
19. Reject: That the Law of Moses is binding on believers of the Gospel.
20. Reject: That the observance of Sunday is a matter of duty.
21. Reject: That baby sprinkling is a doctrine of Scripture.
22. Reject: That 'heathens,' idiots, pagans, and very young children will be saved.
23. Reject: That man can be saved by morality or sincerity, without the Gospel.
24. Reject: That the Gospel alone will save, without obedience to Christ's commandments.
25. Reject: That a man cannot believe without possessing the Spirit of God.
26. Reject: That men are predestined to salvation unconditionally.
27. Reject: That there is no sin in the flesh.
28. Reject: That Joseph was the actual father of Jesus.
29. Reject: That the earth will be destroyed.
30. Reject: That baptism is not necessary to salvation.
31. Reject: That a knowledge of the Truth is not necessary to make baptism valid.
32. Reject: That some meats are to be refused on the score of uncleanness.
33. Reject: That the English are the ten tribes of Israel, whose prosperity is a fulfillment of the promises made concerning Ephraim.
34. Reject: That marriage with an unbeliever is lawful.
35. Reject: That we are at liberty to serve in the army, or as police constables, take part in politics, or recover debts by legal coercion.

THE COMMANDMENTS OF CHRIST (1-53)

1. Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you.
2. Resist not evil: if a man smite thee on one cheek, turn to him the other also.
3. Avenge not yourselves; rather give place unto wrath; and suffer yourselves to be defrauded.
4. If a man take away thy goods, ask them not again.
5. Agree with your adversary quickly, submitting even to wrong for the sake of peace.
6. Labour not to be rich; be ready to every good work, give to those who ask; relieve the afflicted.
7. Do not your alms before men: let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.
8. Recompense to no man evil for evil: overcome evil with good.
9. Bless them that curse you; let no cursing come out of your mouth.
10. Render not evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise, blessing.
11. Pray for them that despitefully use you and afflict you.
12. Grudge not; judge not; complain not; condemn not.
13. Put away anger, wrath, bitterness, and all evil speaking.
14. Confess your faults one to another.
15. Be not conformed to this world; love not the world.
16. Deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off.
17. Servants, be faithful, even to bad masters.
18. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
19. Owe no man anything.
20. In case of sin (known or heard of), speak not of it to others, but tell the offending brother of the matter between thee and him alone, with a view to recovery.
21. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.
22. Pray always; pray with brevity and simplicity; pray secretly.
23. In everything give thanks to God and recognise Him in all your ways.
24. As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
25. Take Christ for an example and follow in his steps
26. Let Christ dwell in your heart by faith.
27. Esteem Christ more highly than all earthly things: yea, than your own life.
28. Confess Christ freely before men.
29. Beware lest the cares of life or the allurements of pleasure weaken his hold on your heart.
30. Love thy neighbour as thyself.
31. Exercise lordship over no one.
32. Seek not your own welfare only, nor bear your own burdens merely, but have regard to those of others.
33. Let your light shine before men: hold forth the word of life. Do good to all men as ye have opportunity.
34. Be blameless and harmless, as the sons of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation
35. Be gentle, meek, kind-hearted, compassionate, merciful, forgiving.
36. Be sober, grave, sincere, temperate.
37. Speak the truth every man with his neighbour: put away all lying
38. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men
39. Be watchful, vigilant, brave, joyful, courteous and manly
40. Be clothed with humility: be patient toward all.
41. Follow peace with all men.
42. Sympathise in the joys and sorrows of others
43. Follow after whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseful
44. Refrain utterly from adultery, fornication, uncleanness, drunkenness, covetousness, wrath, strife, sedition, hatred, emulation, boasting, vainglory, envy, jesting, and foolish talking.
45. Whatever you do, consider the effect of your action on the honour of God's Name among men. Do all to the glory of God.
46. Reckon yourselves dead to all manner of sin. Henceforth live not to yourselves, but to him who died for you, and rose again
47. Be zealous of good works, always abounding in the work of the Lord, wearying not in well-doing.
48. Speak evil of no man.
49. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
50. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt
51. Obey rulers; submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake.
52. Be holy in all manner of conversation.
53. Give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.




Factoid: Among the Christadelphian Fellowships or Groups who use the above Statement (amended in 1886, 1898, 1917) are: Berean, Dawn, Old Paths, Central (Amended), Maranatha, The Remnant of Christ's Ecclesia, Logos, Four Points, Viner Hall. Christadelphian Fellowships who use a similar Statement: Advocate or Unamended. The Advocates rejected the 1898 amendment to clause 24, but amended the Statement (clause 29) in 1910.




The Name And Faith Of The Christadelphians


Christadelphians believe that their name is scriptural and apostolic. The "one body" of which Christ is the Head should not be nameless; but "Christian" has ceased to be distinctive, and for centuries has been mocked by wars between nations in which both sides professed Christianity.

In Psalm 22, which is prophetic of Christ, believers in him are spoken of as "my brethren", and the Epistle to the Hebrews, quoting the words, says, "He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb. 2:11-12). "Christ's Brethren" is in Greek Christou Adelphoi, and from this name Christadelphian is formed.

CHRISTADELPHIANS BELIEVE

1. That there is but ONE GOD, THE FATHER. He dwells in the Heavens, yet through His outflowing energy is everywhere present. He alone is essentially immortal, being the fountain of all life, the Maker and Sustainer of everything that is.

2. That there is ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, Son of God and Son of Man, who was born of a virgin mother by the operation of the Holy Spirit. He revealed the Father to men, for God was in him. He is the bringer of life, because he died in order that sin might be repudiated and forgiveness made possible, and rose in order that through him men might have salvation.

3. That the Spirit is the power of God filling all space, through which He works what He wills to do.

4. That man was formed of the dust, and condemned to return to dust because of sin. Men breathe the same breath and live by the same kind of physical life as the animals.

5. That immortality belongs to the future, for it will be life in an incorruptible body. It will be received as a gift by those who have faith in what God has revealed and obey what He has commanded. The idea that the "soul" of man is naturally immortal comes from pagan philosophy, and has no place in Scripture.

6. That life is ended by death, and can only be restored by resurrection. Both those who have obeyed and those who have disobeyed God will be raised for judgment; but while the one class will receive eternal life, the other will return to death without end.

7. That the Lord Jesus Christ is to return from the heavens where he ascended, to raise and to judge the dead, and to set up his Kingdom. This will be the Kingdom of David restored, in the land promised to Abraham; but Christ's rule will be extended over the whole earth, and all nations will share in its blessings.

8. That the Devil is not a supernatural being, but the principal in human nature which gives all men a bent towards sin.

9. That Hell is the Bible name for the grave, or the unseen state. As there are no "immortal souls" there cannot be a place of fiery torment for them. Where in the New Testament "hell" stands for Gehenna in the original, it means a place of destruction for those who are rejected at Christ's coming.

10. That Eternal Life is offered only to those who believe the Gospel, render obedience to it by baptism in the name of Christ, and continue to obey his commands. The Gospel is defined as "The things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ"; and baptism requires complete immersion in water.

11. That the Earth is promised as the inheritance of Christ and those who are saved through him. it will therefore remain as their lasting home.

12. That the men and women accepted by Christ at his return, and given eternal life, are to reign with him for a thousand years. Their subjects will be the mortal peoples of all nations; but at the end of this period death will be wiped out, and the earth will be filled only with an immortal race in perfect harmony with God, who will be "all in all".



Does It Matter What We Believe?

It matters a great deal if we are to accept the teaching of the Scriptures: and what other teaching is worthy of acceptance? A poet has written (and the people like the sentiment):

"For forms and creeds let senseless bigots fight,
He can't be wrong whose life is in the right."

It will be impossible to produce such a sentiment from the writings of the apostles. While "forms and creeds" are odious enough in the hands of bigotry, in their right place they are absolutely essential. As to forms, another leaflet in this series shows that baptism is a divinely-required form of obedience which any man will neglect at his peril.

"Creed" means belief, from credo, "I believe". The general sentiment is that it does not matter at all what we believe if only we are sincere. This sentiment is foolish, because wrong belief can lead to wrong actions. It is also dangerous, because it diverts attention from God's life-giving word. It really means that there is nothing in which we can finally believe at all. What we believe matters.

1. Because it has pleased God to make salvation conditional on believing certain things.

"It hath pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). The Gospel is "The power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). "That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Gal 3:22). "And by him, all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39).

2. Because it is required of us that the "certain things" be none other than those preached by Jesus and the apostles.

"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). "It there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house" (2 John 10).

3. Because the apostles preached definite things styled gospel, or glad tidings, and therefore "the gospel" is the means to be employed in our salvation.

"The gospel which I preached unto you ... by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (1 Cor. 15:1). "The gospel is ... the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).

4. Because the things so preached were the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and those things that concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

"When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12). "Paul (at Ephesus) spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). Paul (at Rome) for two whole years preached the kingdom of God, and taught those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31).

5. Because disbelief of the gospel makes our condemnation certain.

"He that believeth not shall be condemned" (Mark 16:16). "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words ... the word that I have spoken ... shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

6. Because ignorance of the gospel leaves men in a state of darkness in which salvation is impossible.

Other Gentiles "walk in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them" (Eph. 4:18). "At that time ye were without Christ, being strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope" (Eph. 2:12).

7. Because belief is faith, without which it is impossible to please God.

"Faith is the substance (or conviction) of THINGS HOPED FOR" (Heb. 11:1). "He staggered not at the promise of God, through unbelief, but was strong in faith" (Rom. 4:20). "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6).

SOMETHING MORE

Is it, then, enough to believe, and rest content? By no means. The Gospel believed and obeyed in baptism, introduces a man to a position in which he can do what was before impossible - "work out his own salvation". To do this he must make the commandments of Christ the rule of his life; for, without this, the day will come when Christ will say: "I never knew you; depart from me" (Matt. 7:23).

"Give diligence to make your calling and election sure ... Add to your faith virtue ..." (2 Peter 1:5-10). "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). "Ye are my friends it ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). "Teach them (who believe) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).



Why We Ought To Be Baptized


1. Because being baptized was one of the conditions of salvation proclaimed by Christ's authorized messengers in the first century.

Peter said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38). "He (Peter) commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

2. Because all believers of the gospel as preached by the apostles at the first, were baptized.

"Then they that gladly received his (Peter's) words were baptized" (Acts 2:41). "And many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). "And when they believed Philip... they were baptized, both men and women" (Acts 8:12). Philip baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:38). Lydia was baptized and her household (Acts 16:15). The keeper of the prison was baptized, "he and all his, straightway" (Acts 16:33). "When they twelve men at Ephesus) heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5).

3. Because baptism is the divinely-appointed rite for introducing believing sinners "Into Christ".

"Baptized into Christ" (Rom. 6:3). "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). "Born of water" (John 3:5).

4. Because out of Christ, there is no salvation for any sinner (and all have sinned).

In Adam all die" (I Cor. 15:22). "At that time ye were without Christ... having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). Gentiles "alienated from the life of God" (Eph. 4:18). "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). "But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh" (Eph. 2:13).

5. Because Christ and the apostles were baptized.

Jesus was baptized of John in the Jordan (Mark 1:9). Paul "arose, and was baptized"(Acts 9:18). Some of the disciples of John the Baptist followed Jesus and became the apostles (see John 1:35-37).

6. Because in baptism, we obtain the forgiveness of our sins.

"Be baptized... for the remission of your sins "(Acts 2:38 "Be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). "Baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience" (1 Peter 3:21). "Purged from his old sins" (2 Peter 1:9). "The washing of water by the word" (Eph. 5:26).

WHAT IS IT TO BE BAPTIZED

But you will say, What is Baptism? The question may be answered by considering the following facts:

1. It is an action requiring the use of water.

"See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised?" (Acts 8:36). "Can any man forbid water; that these should not be baptized?" (Acts 10:47). "John was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there" (John 3:23).

2. It involves being buried or immersed in water.

"We are buried with him by baptism into death... planted together in the likeness of his death" (Rm 6:3-5). "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him" (Col. 2:12). "Born of (Greek, out of) water" (John 3:5).

3. In other cases where the word baptism is used, it is with the idea of complete covering over with the thing or element it is related to.

"Baptized with the Holy Spirit... it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Acts 1:5, 2:2). Israel baptized "in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Cor. 10:2). Christ's baptism of suffering: it overwhelmed him (Luke 12:50).

"WHAT GOOD WILL WATER DO ME?"

None, in the sense of your enquiry. It is a question of confoming to the ordinances and appointments of God, who has purposely made use of things which are nothing in themselves, that His name may be honoured in their employment and achievement (1 Cor. 1:27-29). He has appointed and commanded baptism. It is part of His will: and we know what Jesus has said:

"HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER, THE SAME is my brother, and sister, and mother."

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