Apologetics and Evidence

There is a lot of confusion, and I would go as far to say that there is a perversion, of baptism in the world today. Some people, such as those in the Church of Christ, teach that baptism is a requirement for salvation. Others, such as Mormons, say that baptism is something we can do for the dead . But what does the Bible teach about baptism?   Those who say that baptism is a requirement for salvation use verses like 1 Peter 3:21 which says,  baptism which corresponds to this now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Christ Jesus…  This is not talking about soul salvation, but it is talking about being saved from one’s own bad conscience. In other words, by obeying Jesus in getting baptized, we have a good conscience in doing so. Other times some  people  may use Acts 2:37-38 to show that baptism is a requirement for salvation.  Now when they heard this...

The Seventh Day Adventists (hereafter, SDA) believe that the day of worship during the week should be on the Sabbath, the last day of the week. There are several scriptures in the New Testament that would indicate otherwise; several of these scriptures re found in the Acts of the Apostles, which is the model church for the modern day body of believers. When speaking with a SDA, try to be in control of the conversation. When they try to dodge questions, try to bring them back to the heart of the discussion. Ask them things like, “Why does the New Testament show that the apostles did everything that people do in church today on a Sunday and not on a Saturday?” The key to understanding the pattern of the early church is in the phrase, “The first day of the week.”   Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matt. 28:1-7; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). Jesus appeared to the disciples on the first day of the week (John 20:19). Jesus appeared inside the roo...

Let's begin by taking a look at 2 John 7-11, which reads:  “I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” There was a system in biblical times that is no longer really practiced today, where people would go and stay for a few days at someone’s house and encourage the hosts and witness to them. They would move from house to house and by supporting them, they would receive food and shelter from the host. This particular passage above discus...