Jesus' Purpose; To Open Our Eyes, And To Turn Us From Darkness To Light That We Might Receive Forgiveness of Sins - Part 1608

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with [Him], that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear [to be] in me." (Philippians 1:29)

Herein, Paul, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God [and previously Saul] is sharing his life changing experience on the road to Damascus, whereby the Lord Jesus stops him dead in his tracks. Saul asks, "Who art Thou, Lord?" to which Jesus answers: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutes." Within this encounter, Jesus tells Saul that He has appeared to him for this purpose -- Jesus speaking -- "To make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen; and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee: delivering thee from the people and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee -- to open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:18)

Sadly, however, somewhere in the time between Saul's journey and his subsequent conversion [Saul's name then being changed to Paul] and the current modern day times in which we live, the religious dogma of "baptizing" infants began. Indeed, the practice has become so entrenched in some religions today that people today actually believe that by sprinkling a baby shortly after birth, these same infants have been saved forever from eternal damnation -- even when the scriptures give us a completely different understanding -- instructing us first to repent, and then to be water baptized by immersion into the water in the precious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:40-44; Acts 8:5, 12, 16; Acts 19:2-5; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 16:30-33)

I raise this latter point because many who have been sprinkled at birth (within a religious context) do not see the need to be water baptized again -- as instructed in the scriptures. This may explain why Jesus accused the Pharisees and scribes of being hypocrites -- "laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men." (Mark 7:5-8) Jesus continued, saying, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that  ye may keep your own tradition ... making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered, and many such like things do ye." (Mark 7:9-13)

These prefer the traditions of men, even when every single example of water baptism in the new testament was performed in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with the first 3,000 souls [adults] saved on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-38) Therein, water baptism was not done by sprinkling, but rather buried with Him -- baptized into Jesus Christ... into His death. "Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)

We see the same baptism by immersion when Philip baptizes the eunuch. "And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38)

And since we are here, I should also mention that water baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God -- "the like figure where unto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21-22)

Some might be asking -- why the Name of Jesus versus the titles? "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is NONE OTHER NAME none given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Moreover, Paul wrote, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Colossians 3:17).

And one more point -- we can neither downplay or ignore the importance of water baptism (as the new religious trend is doing) because Jesus Himself was baptized, having said, " "For thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:13-16)

Water baptism is about Jesus clothing us in His righteousness, putting on His garment. This is why Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost instructed those who gladly received the Word -- Jesus -- to "repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). "Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41)

As an aside, let's also not forget what happens when we reject water baptism -- "the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized." (Luke 7:30)

But what about infant baptism, as was the beginning question of today's blog. Certainly, we want to ensure that our children are saved from eternal damnation -- yes? And this is where I stumbled across the following scriptures, that to me, offers sufficient evidence as to why children do not need to be baptized prior to reaching their own age of understanding, whereby these turn to the Lord Jesus as both their Lord and Saviour, and then shortly afterward are water baptized. (Acts 2:36-38)

The first reference is found in the first chapter of Hebrews. That is, in reference to angels -- "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)

Note that these ministering spirits are sent forth to those who shall be "heirs of salvation." Heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ --  and in this context, nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:17, 38-39)

We certainly see this when Jesus called a little child unto Him and set the child in the midst of them. He said to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

But keep reading. Jesus then states: "And whoso shall receive one such little child in My Name receives Me, but whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs that offences come; but woe to that man by who the offence comes!" (Matthew 18:1-7)

Note that Jesus does not say -- whoso shall receive one such little child/infant and sprinkle them with holy water -- receives Me. Herein the contention between current religious practice and the Word -- Jesus -- who came to open our eyes, and to turn us from darkness to the light that can only be found in Him.

Jesus continues by saying, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven" ... for the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:1-11)

I understand that these scriptures have always been preached in a different light (and that is okay too!) but bear with me for a moment. Do you see the connection? Jesus is telling us that in heaven "their angels" -- the angels that minister to these little ones -- these children that we receive in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- "do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." The Lord has covered these little children in His clothing of righteousness, because these have not (as of yet) reached an age of understanding wherein these understand repentance, and accepting Jesus in their heart as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

It is also worth noting that angels of God brought good and/or glad tidings on the new testament side. For example, the angel who announced to the country shepherds abiding in the field (keeping watch over their flock by night) brought good tidings of great joy. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10; Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2)

And, similarly glad tidings to Zacharias (who was the father of John the Baptist) -- "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings ..." (Luke 1:19-20)

Even so, we need to understand that Jesus was made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent "Name" than they. "For unto which of the angels said He at any time, "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?" And again, "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?" And again, when He brings in the first begotten into the world, He saith, "And let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels, He saith, "Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire" but unto the Son, [He saith], "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore, God, [even] Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands. They shall perish but Thou remainest, and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail." But to which of the angels said He at any time, "Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool?" (Hebrews 1:4-14; Psalm 104:4)

You see, in speaking of the angels, He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. (Hebrews 1:7) The same Lord who is clothed with honour and majesty, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain; who lays the beams of His chambers in the waters; who makes the clouds His chariot; who walks upon the wings of the wind -- He makes His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire; [who] laid the foundations of the earth -- He said to suffer the little children to come unto Him. (Psalm 104:1-5; Matthew 18:1-11)

This same Jesus, who suffered the little children to come unto Him (and subsequently stated that in heaven "their angels" do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven) is the same Jesus who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God -- angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him." (I Peter 3:22)

As a consequence of His death and resurrection -- He who knew no sin becoming the perfect sacrifice on the cross for you and I -- the Lord's message spoken through angels is therefore binding. This includes the Lord's message relayed to children not yet of age -- because the Word spoken on earth has also been confirmed in heaven -- Jesus having said, "for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10) This is why Jesus instructed His disciples, and us by extension to take heed that ye/we despise not one of these little ones.

"For if the Word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense [penalty] of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him ..." (Hebrews 2:1-3)

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by who are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call the brethren, saying, "I will declare Thy Name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee," and again, "I will put My trust in Him." And again, "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me." (Hebrews 2:9-18)

He is our merciful and faithful high priest who takes away the sins of the world. (Matthew 1:21-23) He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us; and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:14-15)

And this is why we are "buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." (Colossians 2:12-13)

For the record, sprinkling is not the same as one being buried. Imagine sprinkling some dirt over a body that is dead, and saying that is wholly sufficient. It could not happen. In fact, the world would laugh at us for even considering it to be so.  Likewise, sprinkling infants as a form of water baptism is not the same as being "buried" with Him in baptism. And herein is the contention between current day religious dogma/the traditions of men and what is written -- the Word of God.

But we do know this to be true and absolute. If Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me," He is true and faithful and unchanging in His good news gospel message right to the end. That is, He who has delivered to you and I (at significant cost) His free gift of salvation. Why? Because Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and end.

Therefore, "I charge [thee] before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." (I Timothy 5:21)

Thus, when someone tries to lead you astray with false teachings that in turn are an "intentional offence" to the Lord of glory, heed [pay attention] to the apostle's doctrine that was clearly established on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47) And, be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines but rather keep yourselves pure -- not following after the men whose sins are clearly evident - introducing false doctrines that are not written or practiced, and most certainly not scriptural -- including the sprinkling of infants as a form of water baptism and or salvation. (I Peter 5:22-24; Hebrews 6:1-2)

Yes, Jesus has a plan for children not of age and that is -- "That in heaven "their angels" do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)

In other words, Jesus never fails. Let him/her who has ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.