06-25-2009, 02:01 PM
JFK’s inaugural speech on January 20th 1961 said in short: “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears.â€
In conclusion he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.â€
But when it comes to our worship of God, the inaugural words are reversed. Why? Because baptism has nothing to do with what we do for God, but everything to do with what God can do for us. In fact, it is the only clearly spoken definition of baptism, neatly tucked away in brackets at 1 Pet. 3:21. It reads:
“That which corresponds to this is also now saving you, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience.)â€
Exactly what did Peter mean by saying, “That which corresponds to this?â€
Matthew Henry, a scholar who on his deathbed in 1714 said that “a life spent in the service and communion with God is the most pleasant life that any one can live in this world,†said the following in his Concise Commentary on the Bible of 1 Pet. 3:21:
“Let us beware that we rest not upon outward forms. Let us learn to look on the ordinances of God spiritually, and to inquire after the spiritual effect and working of them on our consciences. We would willingly have all religion reduced to outward things. But many who were baptized, and constantly attended the ordinances, have remained without Christ, died in their sins, and are now past recovery. Rest not then till thou art cleansed by the Spirit of Christ and the blood of Christ. His resurrection from the dead is that whereby we are assured of purifying and peace.â€
On this, the February 15, 1972 WT, p. 121 says, under Living a Dedicated Life: “. . . at the time of a person’s baptism he is not approaching God as if able to say, ‘I am going to be your servant.’ No, he comes before God as a suppliant (one who prays humbly)†for “God to accept him and to give a good conscience so that he can be clean, with the hope that God will let him serve.â€
It is obvious then that baptism has nothing to do with dedicating ourselves to God—nothing at all. For it has nothing to do with what we can do for God or later live up to. The only thing we have upon our approach to God is a bad and sinful conscience which only frustrates our desire to live life the way it was intended and cannot beckon the spirit.
Let’s remember what Peter was talking about. When he said, “that which corresponds to this,†he was referring to his earlier words in verses 16 and 17, where he said: “Hold a good conscience, so that in the particular in which you are spoken against they may get ashamed who are speaking slightingly of your good conduct in connection with Christ. For it is better to suffer because you are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because you are doing evil.â€
When being accused of doing wrong while trying to “hold a good conscience†in the sight of God, it is impossible to feel worthy of any blessing while in a sinful state without God. That is why we fail so often, even allowing the condemnation of others to prevail against us until we have said, “I have done wrong,†when in God’s eyes we have done right.
That’s what Peter meant in his earlier statement of chapter 2:19-20:
“If someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.â€
Baptism is therefore that which sets us free from the plague of guilt that attacks us through the false or misconceived accusations of others. It is our guilt offering to God that invites His Spirit to conclude with our spirit that what we hold in conscience toward God is true. Our conscience is all that matters, and since it is only God who can give us His Spirit to justify our conscience, then only our conscience will allow the free flow of His Spirit in all fullness, the fruitage of which give us “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control.†(Galatians 5:22-24)
In this way only will we enjoy the conscience we need to worship the Father in perfect balance so that His Spirit might dwell within us through Christ, and thereafter, evermore.
In conclusion he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.â€
But when it comes to our worship of God, the inaugural words are reversed. Why? Because baptism has nothing to do with what we do for God, but everything to do with what God can do for us. In fact, it is the only clearly spoken definition of baptism, neatly tucked away in brackets at 1 Pet. 3:21. It reads:
“That which corresponds to this is also now saving you, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience.)â€
Exactly what did Peter mean by saying, “That which corresponds to this?â€
Matthew Henry, a scholar who on his deathbed in 1714 said that “a life spent in the service and communion with God is the most pleasant life that any one can live in this world,†said the following in his Concise Commentary on the Bible of 1 Pet. 3:21:
“Let us beware that we rest not upon outward forms. Let us learn to look on the ordinances of God spiritually, and to inquire after the spiritual effect and working of them on our consciences. We would willingly have all religion reduced to outward things. But many who were baptized, and constantly attended the ordinances, have remained without Christ, died in their sins, and are now past recovery. Rest not then till thou art cleansed by the Spirit of Christ and the blood of Christ. His resurrection from the dead is that whereby we are assured of purifying and peace.â€
On this, the February 15, 1972 WT, p. 121 says, under Living a Dedicated Life: “. . . at the time of a person’s baptism he is not approaching God as if able to say, ‘I am going to be your servant.’ No, he comes before God as a suppliant (one who prays humbly)†for “God to accept him and to give a good conscience so that he can be clean, with the hope that God will let him serve.â€
It is obvious then that baptism has nothing to do with dedicating ourselves to God—nothing at all. For it has nothing to do with what we can do for God or later live up to. The only thing we have upon our approach to God is a bad and sinful conscience which only frustrates our desire to live life the way it was intended and cannot beckon the spirit.
Let’s remember what Peter was talking about. When he said, “that which corresponds to this,†he was referring to his earlier words in verses 16 and 17, where he said: “Hold a good conscience, so that in the particular in which you are spoken against they may get ashamed who are speaking slightingly of your good conduct in connection with Christ. For it is better to suffer because you are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because you are doing evil.â€
When being accused of doing wrong while trying to “hold a good conscience†in the sight of God, it is impossible to feel worthy of any blessing while in a sinful state without God. That is why we fail so often, even allowing the condemnation of others to prevail against us until we have said, “I have done wrong,†when in God’s eyes we have done right.
That’s what Peter meant in his earlier statement of chapter 2:19-20:
“If someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.â€
Baptism is therefore that which sets us free from the plague of guilt that attacks us through the false or misconceived accusations of others. It is our guilt offering to God that invites His Spirit to conclude with our spirit that what we hold in conscience toward God is true. Our conscience is all that matters, and since it is only God who can give us His Spirit to justify our conscience, then only our conscience will allow the free flow of His Spirit in all fullness, the fruitage of which give us “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control.†(Galatians 5:22-24)
In this way only will we enjoy the conscience we need to worship the Father in perfect balance so that His Spirit might dwell within us through Christ, and thereafter, evermore.