Newsletter Vol.2, #33—September 3, 2006

Matthew 9 ¹⁴Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" ¹⁵And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

"Max Lucado on Baptism"

Larry Ray Hafley

In a television interview in Nashville, tn, July 2, 1997, Max Lucado said: "I believe in baptism. Jesus was baptized. The Bible teaches baptism. I just don’t believe that baptism saves you. I believe that Jesus Christ saves us. And baptism is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer."

Israelite on Brass Serpent

Let us construct a parallel to brother Lucado’s remarks. Suppose an Israelite in Numbers 21 had said: "I really believe in the brass serpent. Moses teaches the brass serpent. I just don’t believe the brass serpent heals you. I believe God heals us. And looking on the brass serpent is one of those ways we celebrate our healing. It’s really the initial step of the healed believer."

If an Israelite had said that, would he have been healed?

Naaman on Dipping in the Jordan River

Suppose Naaman in 2 Kings 5 had said: "I really believe in dipping in the Jordan. Elisha told me to dip in the Jordan. I just don’t believe dipping in the Jordan will heal me. I believe that God will heal me. And dipping in the Jordan is one of those ways I will celebrate my healing. It’s really the initial step I’ll take as a healed believer."

If Naaman had said that, would he have been healed?

Blind Man on Washing in the Pool of Siloam

Suppose the blind man in John 9 had said: "I really believe in the pool of Siloam. Jesus told me to wash there. I just don’t believe that the pool of Siloam will cure my blindness. I believe Jesus will cure me. And washing in the pool of Siloam is one of those ways I’ll celebrate my healing. It’s really the initial step I’ll take as a healed believer."

If the blind man had said that, would he have been healed?

Before proceeding, note again brother Lucado’s statement. {Turn to the front page and read the first paragraph again. Larry A. Bunch}

In view of his statement regarding baptism, let us observe some parallels to it.

Max Lucado on Faith, Repentance, and Confession (?)

"I really believe in faith. Jesus believed. The Bible teaches faith. I just don’t believe faith saves you. I believe Jesus Christ saves us. And faith is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer."

"I really believe in repentance. The Bible teaches repentance. I just don’t believe repentance saves you. I believe Jesus Christ saves us. And repentance is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer."

"I really believe in confession. Jesus confessed. The Bible teaches confession. I just don’t believe confession saves you. I believe Jesus Christ saves us. And confession is one of those ways we celebrate our salvation. It’s really the initial step of the faithful believer."

How would brother Lucado answer a "Hardshell" Primitive Baptist if he were to make statements like those above?

Besides a lack of faith in the word of the Lord (See Deut.9:23; Psalm 78:22; 106:12, 24; Heb.3:19; 4:6; one may believe in God’s existence but be an unbeliever), a part of brother Lucado’s problem is that he fails to distinguish between the basis or grounds of our salvation and the conditions of salvation. In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the Bible teaches that we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. The blood is the basis, the grounds of our salvation. However, the saving power of that blood is not applied until one obeys the truth (1 Pet.1:22; Cf. Matt.7:21; Heb.5:9).

In 1 Peter 3:21, which brother Lucado does not believe, the Spirit says that "baptism doth also now save us." Yes, baptism saves, but it does so upon the basis, or the grounds of, "the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (Cf. Rom.4:25--Christ was raised from the dead "for our justification," but this justification was not granted until they had "obeyed" the gospel--6:17-18).

Neither the serpent of brass, dipping in the Jordan River, nor the pool of Siloam could heal anyone. God must do the healing. However, none were cured and cleansed until they obeyed the terms or conditions which he set forth. Likewise, neither faith, repentance, confession, nor baptism can forgive sins. God must do the forgiving, the cleansing and the healing. However, none are forgiven, justified, and saved until they believe, repent, confess, and are baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mk16:16; Lk.24:47; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom.10:9, 10).

{Editor’s Note: Or, think about it this way … Lucado’s statement indicates that one is saved before baptism, so in all the examples Hafley has given, ask these questions: “Were the Israelites healed before looking on the brass serpent?” “Was Naaman cleansed before dipping in the river Jordan?” “Did the blind man regain his sight before washing in the Pool of Siloam?” To answer these questions is to answer the question, “Are we saved before we are baptized?”}

Quotes

Elijah: A Bible class teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the calf in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.

“Now,” said the teacher, “can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the calf on the altar?”

A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, “I know, I know!” she said, “To make the gravy!”

Lot’s Wife: A Bible class teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, “My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving,” he announced triumphantly, “and she turned into a telephone pole!”

Good Samaritan: A Bible class teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?”

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, “I think I’d throw up.”

Did Noah Fish? A Bible class teacher asked, “Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?”

“No,” replied Johnny. “How could he, with just two worms?”

Higher Power: A Bible class teacher said to her children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?”

One child blurted out, “Aces!”