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There are some brethren today who purport that falling from God's grace refers only to a return to relying upon law keeping as part of the Christian life. This teaching is contrary to the word of God. Let us examine the Bible together in order to understand what falling from grace truly means.
When we were baptized into Christ "for the remission of sins," (Acts 2:38) we gained access to God?s grace by coming in contact with the blood of Christ. For Paul says that it is Christ "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins," (Colossians 1:14).
Whenever the word "grace" is used, depending on the passage, it may refer either to forgiveness or mercy. Consider the following table:
| Passage | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Genesis 6:8 | Mercy |
| Judges 6:17 | Mercy |
| Romans 5:2 | Forgiveness |
| Romans 5:20 | Forgiveness |
It is possible for any Christian to commit a sin in his life and "fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). When a christian sins, he is no longer holy, but unholy. The inspired prophet Isaiah says,
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear, (Isaiah 59:2).
This, however, does not mean that Christians are perfect, for there is no person who has lived a perfect life except Christ. But, we are admonished by Christ to be "perfect," or holy, just as our "Father which is in heaven is perfect," (Matthew 5:48).
As long as we remain in sin and do not repent, we will continue walking on the road that leads to eternal punishment. Jesus says that "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," (Luke 13:3). In order to access the grace of God again, we must pray to God asking for forgiveness of our sins. John says
if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, (1 John 1:9).When we do this we can continue to "walk in the light, as he is in the light," (1 John 1:7) and walk on the straight and narrow pathway that leads to Heaven (Matthew 5:13-14).
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
This edition is part two of four, Lord willing, of responses to questions asked by Mr. A. A. Davis in his article of "101 Questions for Campbellites," which may be accessed by clicking here. Let us now examine questions 27 through 51.
Question: Do you and your Brethren not teach that the COMMANDS of God are given to the UNBORN and that they, the commands are but instruments BY WHICH the UNBORN can obtain BIRTH?
Response: The commands of God have been given to all, and this is made evident in the "Great Commission" to teach all men of the commands of our Lord (Matthew 28:18-20). The "unborn" of whom you speak need "re-birth" into Christ (cf. John 3), and they are fully able to understand the need to come to repentance.
You boast of LOGIC -where is there any LOGIC to this matter?
Response: There is plenty of logic: all humans who have sinned are amenable to the law of God, and all must come to Him if they desire eternal life.
Question: If you say -Baptism is a command for the SAVED - you find yourself in the BAPTIST position, EXACTLY This you do not teach or believe. See Acts 2:41. WHO was baptized here?
Reponse: Acts 2:41:
They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added {unto them} in that day about three thousand souls.
Whose word was received? The words of Peter concerning Christ. Who are they? The Jews who had assembled in Jerusalem for the Pentecost festival. What command were they fulfilling? The command originally given to them in verse 38. Since these persons had not yet been saved until they fulfilled the commands of the Lord beginning in verse 41, this proves rather well that the need for baptism is upon the unsaved.
Question: Do you and your Brethren not also teach and believe- that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God until after His Baptism?
Response: This doctrine is dynamistic Monarchianism, and I do not adhere to this doctrine, and neither do the saints who assemble in Rochelle, Illinois.
Question: Whose Son was He in BETHLEHEM'S MANGER?
Response: Jesus was supposedly the son of Joseph, but assuredly was the Son of God.
Question: Is not the sum of your doctrine simply this: He that lives Closest to the creek, lives closest to the Lord? He that lives furthest from the creek, lives furtherest from the Lord? Does this not place the DESERT dwellers at a distinct disadvantage? Then a Man's Salvation would be simple or difficult according to his GEOGRAPHICAL location? Does this sound like Jesus Christ in John 3:16?
Response: This question would possibly have some merit if you could demonstrate a group of people who constantly inhabit a place on Earth that does not have water. Water is the one essential substance of life, and man constantly requires it. Deserts are clearly not a problem, for Philip and the eunuch were riding on a desert road in Acts 8:31-39, and there was water found for baptism.
Question: Are the FAMILY of God, the KINGDOM OF GOD and the CHURCH OF GOD ALL one and the SAME??
Response: No. The church of God (or the church of Christ, the church of the Firstborn, whichever designation one desires to use) refers to those who are of Christ and have called upon His name. The church of God, etc., are surely a part of the Family/Kingdom of God, but the Family/Kingdom of God also includes the faithful of the Old Testament period.
Question: Do all who belong to the family of God also belong to the Church of God?
Response: See above. The family of God would include the Church of God but also the faithful of the Old Testament period.
Question: Did God have a family before Pentecost?
Response: It depends on how we define "have." If we define "have" as meaning "having people who are faithful to Him and obey Him," then absolutely-- we find a multitude of examples in the Old Testament (let alone Hebrews 11) of individuals obedient to God. If we define "have," however, as "having a family present with Him in Heaven," then He did not have a family before Pentecost and will not until the Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).
Question: Then is it now possible to become a member of the family of God and not become a member of the Church at the same time?
Response: When one becomes a Christian and is a part of His Church, he is a part of the family of God.
Question: When and How did Jesus become a member of the Church of Christ?
Response: We have been told about Jesus' relation to the church in Ephesians 5:23-27:
For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Therefore, we see that Christ established the Church with His blood and is now the head of the Body.
Question: When and How did the Apostles become members of the Church of Christ?
Response: We are told about the relation of the Apostles to the Church in Ephesians 2:19-20:
So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone.
Therefore, we see that the Apostles also represent the foundation of the church, having preached the Word so that the Church would grow.
Question: Was John's Baptism, Christian Baptism?
Response: John's baptism was simply of repentance, and is not "Christian" baptism, as is made evident by Paul in Acts 19:1-6, when he baptized again those who were baptized under John.
Question: Who Baptized Jesus Christ?
Response: John baptized Jesus Christ, not for repentance, but to fulfill all righteousness, as we see in Matthew 3:13-15:
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered him, saying, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"
But Jesus answering said unto him, "Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."
Then he suffereth him.
There is endless debate over what "fulfill all righteousness" refers to, but it is evident that Jesus was baptized to serve as an example for us.
Question: Did Jesus Christ have Christian Baptism?
Response: As we have seen above, Christ did not need any form of baptism, but He was baptized by John most probably to serve as an example for us. "Christian" baptism is done in the name of Christ; why would Christ be baptized in His own Name?
Question: Have you received the same kind of Baptism, Jesus and the Apostles received?
Response: Sinners cannot receive the a baptism of example as Christ did, and the nature of the baptism of the Apostles is not known. We see that in John 4:1-2 above, the disciples did baptize people into a baptism of Jesus, and they probably received that baptism. If that is the case, then I have received the same baptism of the Apostles.
Question: Is Jesus Christ the Head of the Church of Christ?
Response: We are assuredly told in Ephesians 5:23-27 that Christ is the Head of the Body and the source of all authority.
Question: Since the Head of the Church received ONLY John's Baptism, is not John's Baptism, Christian Baptism?
Response: By no means, since Christ, when He received all authority in Heaven and on Earth, commanded His disciples to baptize members of all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in Matthew 28:18-20. The baptism of John was never commanded, and you have not yet demonstrated that anyone can receive the baptism by example that Christ received.
Question: Or Has the Head of the Church received one KIND of Baptism and the Church altogether another Kind?
Response: There is a difference between the baptism of John and the baptism commanded by Christ. There is even really a difference between the baptism of John for repentance, and the baptism of Christ by John as an example. Regardless, there is only one form of valid baptism today, exemplified by Paul and his actions in Acts 19:1-6:
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples: and he said unto them, "Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?"
And they said unto him, "Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given."
And he said, "Into what then were ye baptized?"
And they said, "Into John's baptism."
And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus."
And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
It is made evident here that the baptism of John looked forward to the baptism of Christ, and those receiving only the former required the latter. The Scriptures do not lie.
Question: Alexander Campbell received BAPTIST BAPTISM, and died with it. Did he go to heaven or hell? Campbell never did repudiate this baptism by a Baptist preacher, was he saved or lost?
Response: We have been told in James 4:12 (quoted above) that we have no right to judge, and therefore I will not do so. I would ask, however, if Alexander Campbell was immersed in water for remission of sin; if this is the case, then he would recognize from the Scriptures that he would not need re-baptism. Whatever may happen, the fate of Alexander Campbell has nothing to do with the message of Scripture and the commands which Christ has given to us.
Question: What kind of Baptism did the Apostles receive? Were they saved or Lost?
Response: We are not specifically told what form of baptism the Apostles received, but it is my belief that they received baptism in the name of Christ since that is what they themselves were doing in John 4:1-2. I do know for certain that Paul received baptism, for we are told as much in Acts 9:18. Again, I am not to judge, but it appears that the Apostles recognized that they would be saved if they remained obedient to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Question: What kind of Baptism did these Disciples who were baptized by the Apostles on the authority of Christ during his personal ministry receive? John 4:1-2. Were they saved or Lost? Was this before Pentecost?
Response: Again, we are not specifically told what kind of baptism was received by the disciples, but I believe that it sufficed for remission of sin. Again, I am not their judge, God is, and He knows whether or not those who received that baptism were faithful to Christ. This was before Pentecost. In no way, shape, or form, however, do these examples nullify the commandments of Christ for those now amenable to Him.
Question: How was Abraham Saved? David? Enoch? John the Baptist? The Virgin Mary? The Demoniac of Gedara? The Penitent thief?
Response: All of those that you mention who died before the proclamation of the Kingdom were saved by faithfulness to the law of God to which they were amenable and/or the direct announcement of Christ. This by no means negates the requirements of the law of God to which we are all amenable, that of Christ.
Question: How were sinners saved between the Crucifixion of Christ and the Day of Pentecost?
Response: When God judges them on the day of Judgment, they will be judged properly on their deeds against the law to which they were amenable.
Question: How is Abraham the FATHER of the FAITHFUL when he was not Baptized by a Campbellite preacher?
Response: Abraham lived long before Christ and in the body was not amenable to the law of Christ, but was amenable to the commands of God which were given to him.
In the next edition we will continue to examine the questions that Mr. Davis has raised and attempt to answer them with the Scriptures.
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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