"THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES"

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; 

if God peradventure will give them repentance 

to the acknowledging of the truth”~ 2 Tim. 2:25

Many religious and well-intended people who oppose baptism for remission of sins, HAVE been baptized…yet for another reason. It seems strange that they oppose teaching on the purpose of baptism for the reason of ‘remission’, yet, submit to it for another reason. 

Obviously, they have been taught differently as to baptism’s PURPOSE than we in the church of Christ. It seems strange that one would submit to an act that one denies as necessary…all because of its purpose.

Baptism’s PURPOSE: what is it for? Two differing teachings on baptism’s PURPOSE are: to ‘show’ remission, or to ‘receive’ remission?

Further, is baptism a ‘church ordinance’, performed by and on saved people, [as stated in a denominational creed]; or is it a command for an unsaved person to obey as a part of the new birth of John 3?

Again, it is not an act that is entirely opposed, for all those who differ, HAVE SUBMITTED to being baptized. So why oppose the act based upon the lone purpose of it being done “to receive” remission?

Consider some relevant questions and parallel examples to the rational on baptism’s purpose from the Bible:

~ Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Does “calling” show salvation, or does “calling” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Is “calling” an outward sign of an inward grace, or does “calling” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Does it matter as to the PURPOSE for ‘calling’?

~ Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved.”

Does “belief” show salvation, or does “belief” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Is “belief” an outward sign of an inward grace, or does “belief” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Does it matter as to the PURPOSE for ‘belief’?

Now, regarding BAPTISM:

Does “baptism” show salvation, or does “baptism” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Is “baptism” an outward sign of an inward grace, or does “baptism” mean, ‘in order to be saved’?

Does it matter as to the PURPOSE for ‘baptism’?

Is it not clear that belief AND baptism are HOW one “calls” upon the name of the Lord?

Consider whether or not the logic used toward baptism’s purpose [as being to “show”] would make sense, if the same logic were applied to other matters, whose purposes are regarded as NECESSARY? For example:

“Faith is not necessary for remission of sins, but to show your salvation…”

“Repentance is not necessary for remission of sins, but to show your salvation…”

What about confessing that you are a sinner, quoting Romans 10:

“Confession is not necessary for remission of sins, but to show your salvation…”

What if one were to say that they don’t believe faith is necessary, but they believed to “show”…?

What if one were to say that they don’t believe repentance is necessary, but they have repented to “show”…?

Strange that one would oppose as necessary an act [baptism] that he, himself has submitted to, on the basis of ‘not’ necessary. 

Is not this an example of “those who oppose themselves” in “acknowledging the truth”?

This is why Jesus warned:

"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24

"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 8:18

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THE “IT” OF GOD

The little word “IT” is such a small word, but so very important regarding the will of God toward man. It was quite important under the Old Covenant. “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from IT.” (Deuteronomy 12:32). 

The “IT” constituted God’s command. It was to be observed without addition or subtraction. By so doing God was pleased and the obedient were blessed of God. Herein authority was exerted and recognized!

Occasions abound in the Old Testament scriptures of those who failed to observe and respect God’s “IT” toward them. Saul was directed by God through Samuel to utterly destroy the Amalekites with their flocks and herds, (1 Samuel 15). Saul failed in observing the command of God by sparing King Agag and the best of the animals. The bleating of the sheep and lowing of the oxen testified to the fact that the “IT” had been disobeyed by Saul. His failure to obey resulted in his being rejected of God and the kingdom being taken from him.

Faithful Moses fell victim to the “IT” of God at the desert of Zin, (Numbers 20). The children of Israel were again murmuring for the lack of water. God told Moses to "speak unto the rock before their eyes” (Numbers 20:8); but Moses smote the rock twice. He failed to observe the “IT” and in his disobedience God decreed, “Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12). God accredited his failure “Because ye believed me not.” Had Moses believed God as he should have, he would have obeyed the command of God as “IT” was given to him.

The “IT” was the defeat of Nadab and Abihu. In Leviticus 10:1-3, these two sons of Aaron “offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.” God had directed them in what to do, but they had done contrary to “IT” and offered that which God had not commanded. “And there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them and they died before the Lord.” God meant “it” as He said “IT”.

These things were written for our warnings and admonitions, (1 Corinthians 10:21; Romans 15:4). The Lord expects the observing of His “IT” in this age. “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation;” (Hebrews 2:2-3). 

While John wrote, “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”, grace does not nullify the importance of obedience to any command from God. Quite the contrary, obedience complements grace and affords us the spiritual blessings that are in Christ Jesus. Paul often spoke of the grace of God in the Roman letter and was quite definite as to how the saints at Rome had been benefited by the grace of God. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18). The form of doctrine stated in Romans 6:3-5 constituted the “IT” of God that they had obeyed and granted them freedom from sin through the grace of God. Without obedience, the grace of God is in vain as pertaining to man’s soul. (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Paul was very singular in his preaching when he declared to the Galatians that the gospel he preached was the only true gospel and those who preached any other were to be accursed, (Galatians 1:6-9). Paul speaking by the revelation of Jesus Christ, (Galatians 1:11-12), said that this is “IT” and there is not another.

Men in all ages have rebelled at God’s directions! They have replaced such with their own wisdom and have suffered the consequences of God’s wrath. The tenor of our permissive generation is to view religion in a broad sense and be strongly opposed to anyone saying that this is “IT”. Men crave a form of freedom that licenses sin! They desire a freedom of expression wherein no one can say that this is “IT” to the rejection of other concepts in religion. Men evidently find it exceedingly difficult to bring themselves to accept the singleness of truth or the “IT” of God. Men crave the choice of religions with the church of their choice and the faith of their choice in defiance of the “IT” of God, (Ephesians 4:4-6). They can’t bring themselves to view God as being so narrow as having arranged the “IT” of truth to the rejection of other procedures that fit man’s wisdom.

Notice what Paul said of Christ and His church from Ephesians 5: 

Christ is “the savior of the body” ~ vs. 23 

Christ “gave himself for IT” ~ vs. 25 

“that He might sanctify and cleanse "IT" ~ vs. 26 

Likewise, the gospel is the "IT" of God in His power/means to save man. Paul said he was unashamed of the “IT” of God! (Romans 1:16) 

What about our attitude? 

Have we become bored and weary of hearing of the “IT” of God or do we love “IT” as we should?

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