Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49_, No. 15                            SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                              June 4, 2006

The Meaning of Faith (5)

In our previous article we observed that our salvation from sin depends on our acceptance of the divine offer. The condition required by God is that of faith. But obedience is a part of that saving faith and involves both repentance and baptism. Baptism is the final act of faith that puts one into Christ where he reaches the cleansing blood of Jesus that removes our past sins.

Some "faith only" advocates teach that baptism is a work that nullifies the grace of God if we understand its function to be related to the remission of sins. Their rejection of baptism as part of the salvation process is almost entirely on this basis. There are several reasons why this view is invalid.

First, the Bible establishes a clear relationship between baptism and forgiveness. It is "for the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 2:38); "to be saved" (Mark I6:16); to "wash away.... sins" (Acts 22:16); that which "saves you" (1 Peter 3:21). If we agree that salvation is by faith and not works, and if we accept these passages at face value, we must conclude that baptism is not a work. The alternative is to reject the witness of the Word.

Again, baptism is not a work because the one being baptized is passive. If any work is done, it is by the baptizer, not the subject.

Furthermore, to earn salvation by works one must do something to deserve it. There is no merit earned in baptism. There is nothing that one accomplishes to benefit God or man. Baptism is an expression of obedience, not a work.

Moreover, to reject the role of baptism in the salvation process is also to reject repentance as a prerequisite to- the removal of sins. Peter tied the two together as conditions of salvation saying "Repent and be baptized...for the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 2:38). If baptism is repudiated as a work, repentance must be denied on the same basis. This would mean that a believer in Jesus could be saved without changing his lifestyle in repentance. Surely no one thinks that a believing thief can continue to steal after his conversion.

In our final article we will consider the view of those who totally reject water baptism by claiming that the verses usually applied to that subject refer instead to an inner baptism of the Spirit.

Monroe E. Hawley

The Bulletin Board

Baptized - We welcome into our fellowship Julie Frey and Michael Shuster who were baptized by Monroe Hawley Saturday. May God bless them in His service.

Single Service Sunday - For this Sunday only we will have a single morning worship service at 11:00 a.m. It will be preceded by Bible classes at 9:30 a.m. There will be no congregational meeting afterwards.

Can you help? Southside has a scholarship fund to help pay for Southside children who wish to attend the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp. We are in need of additional help for this fund. If you would like to send a child to camp this summer see Tim Shilts or Wayne Alexander. The cost for a two-week session is $185. We encourage those who do not have the funds to go, to see Tim or Wayne and the necessary funds will be provided.

Camp Dates - The junior session at W.C.Y.C. begins June 18 and will run to July 1. The other sessions will follow at two-week intervals. If a child has not yet registered for the junior camp, it is not too late to do so. Reservation forms are available at the church building or you can contact Tim Shilts who is directing the first session.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 145; second service, 85

The sick - Debbie Slaughter is now home recovering from her recent back surgery .... Martha Sepulveda underwent heart catheterization at St. Francis' Hospital Tuesday. She has had this procedure several times in the past .... Wanda Capitonoff underwent surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital Monday and is expected to remain there for a week or so.... Remember all the sick in your prayers.

The Thursday morning ladies' Bible class has been discontinued for the summer and will be resumed in September.

Praise and Palate will be Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Menu: `Dad's Favorite."

Calendar of Events

June 11 - Single morning worship, 11:00 a.m

June 11- Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

June 11- Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

June 18 - July 1 - Junior session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

June 18 - 24 - Soul Quest, York College

July 2 -15 - Middle session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 12 - 19 -Mission trip to Dominican Republic

July 16 - 29 - Intermediate session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 30 - August 12 - Senior session, Wis. Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

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