By Jim Mettenbrink

Before we consider the Christian life, let’s clarify what constitutes baptism according to the original biblical text. Merriam-Webster’s 11th ed. Collegiate Dictionary, defines baptism as a Christian sacrament, initiation, or ritual using water; to cleanse spiritually. Regarding the origin of the English word baptize, the dictionary states it is “Greek – baptizein – to dip, baptize, baptein – to dip or dye.” And modern-day English dictionaries’ definitions of baptism are sprinkling, immersion, or pouring. Do all of these methods come from “bapto” or from different Greek words? Regarding becoming a Christian, it is vital to know the real meaning.

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By Jim Mettenbrink

Last week, we considered that trusting (true faith) in Jesus as the Divine Savior is the first repentance (change) necessary to receive His promise of pardon and eternal life with Him in heaven (Eph 1:12-13). That trust is based upon the gospel (good news) – defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus proved there is life after death, that He is God and the guarantor of eternal life (1 John 2:25; 5:20) via His own resurrection.

Further, the apostle Paul wrote there is just one faith, i.e., only one way of salvation (Eph 4:5). To the Roman church he wrote, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). The context is that the word of God is the gospel of peace and that it is to be obeyed (Rm 10:15-16). So Jesus wants us to obey the gospel. How does one die, be buried, and be resurrected in this realm? Jesus did, but how do we?

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By Jim Mettenbrink

We continue considering the radical entrance into Jesus’ kingdom that He established after He left the earth. That in itself is radical – a nonvisible king in a visible kingdom. Actually, His kingdom is virtually invisible too, at least on earth – No palace or throne, no army or courts, no royal guard, and no administration. But the apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ kingdom as having subjects, i.e., earthbound citizens – God the Father “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:12-13). And he calls those subjects citizens (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20). That this kingdom is invisible is revealed that the citizenship is in heaven (Php 3:20) – no earthly royal records. And Jesus’ throne is in heaven (Acts 2:30-34; Revelation 4:1-5:14).

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By Jim Mettenbrink

We are considering the radical entrance into Jesus’ kingdom that He established after He left the earth. That in itself is radical – a non visible king in a visible kingdom. Regarding accepting Jesus as king, He said, “ …if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). Implicitly if you do not believe He is the Savior-King, you would not be a citizen in his kingdom. Last week, we concluded proposing to determine what constitutes belief that God considers to be true belief, i.e., the saving faith. There is a huge difference in belief and faith. So what is genuine faith?

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By Jim Mettenbrink

While on trial before Governor Pilate, Jesus acknowledged that He had a kingdom, but not of this world, i.e., of this material realm (John 18:36). Earlier, He told His disciple, Peter, that He would give him the keys to His kingdom (Matthew 16:19). Peter did that on the Jewish feast day, Pentecost, 10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11; 2:38-47). He told the people to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.

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By Jim Mettenbrink

Shortly before being crucified, Judea’s Roman governor Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus: “It is as you say” (Luke 23:1-3). Jesus had no army, administration, no territory, no palace – nothing “kingly” at all. He had nothing of this world (Luke 9:58).

In the same trial, Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). And six weeks later Jesus disappeared (Acts 1:9-11). No doubt His kingdom is not of this world! In Pilate’s eyes, Jesus just said He is the King of a nonexistent kingdom. Such might seem insane but…It is certainly radical!

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By Jim Mettenbrink

The Kingdom of Heaven (32 times) is a major focus found only in the gospel according to Matthew. John the baptizer and Jesus said it would come into existence soon (Mat 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). Jesus emphasized this Kingdom in His well known Sermon on the Mount (8 times; Mat 5-7) and also mentioned in the beatitudes (Mat 5:3, 10). He referred to it as a mystery (Mat 13:11). In chapter 13, He presented six “Kingdom of Heaven parables (known as the kingdom parables) revealing unusual characteristics of this kingdom. In the declaration to His disciples, Jesus revealed that the kingdom was His, that it would come during their generation, and that it was synonymous with His church (Mat 16:16-19). He also told Peter that He would give him the keys to His kingdom. In other words, Peter would open the kingdom of heaven to everyone. When did that happen? When was Jesus’ church-kingdom opened to mankind?

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By Jim Mettenbrink

In our review of the erosion, yea the destruction, of the biblical foundation of our nation, we acknowledge that our society has become unstable, beginning with the family structure. King David, the Psalmist queried, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:3). The quick answer is rebuild the foundation as it was. And implicitly, the righteous folks have the heart to rise to do it. David continued, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (11:4). Another Psalmist revealed more about God’s throne – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne” (Ps 89:114). In order to be in harmony with God and thereby have His blessing, it is logical, we too would want to mold ourselves to His standard of righteousness and justice. That begins with each of us. Our history reveals that cultural stability of the nation resulted from being in conformance to God’s order.

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By Jim Mettenbrink

We have reviewed the radical change over the past 100 years, especially the last 50, degrading from a God-fearing nation to one whose religion is Secular Humanism, that declares each person as his own god, making and changing his own rules as he desires. That such exists marks the decline of the nation and eventually consigned to the dust bin of history. Sadly most folks today do not realize that what they surmise is normal, is the work of Satan. The question is “Will people become tired of drowning in such spiritual misery and return to God and His way ONLY?”

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