Browse All Our Publications

How far will we go for someone’s soul?  

Some argue that as infants are unable to believe, they should not be baptised. They quote the incident of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, where Philip told him that if he believed with all his heart, he could get baptised (Acts 8:36-37). However, the True Jesus Church believes that we should, in fact, conduct infant baptism! While it is true that water baptism is an act of faith, it is more than just a confession of one’s faith, but also carries with it important spiritual implications. Let us look at it from a few angles. Firstly, water baptism is necessary for salvation. We can see this from Jesus’ command to the disciples to preach the gospel and baptise people. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16 NKJV Some argue that it is the faith that saves and not baptism. However, in 1 Pet 3:21, Peter mentions explicitly that baptism saves! “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” I Peter 3:21 NKJV Baptism saves, because through it we now have a good conscience before God. That means our sins are forgiven! And this is corroborated by Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 NKJV “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” Acts 22:16 NKJV From these verses, we can see that water baptism is necessary for salvation, because our sins are washed away through baptism. The Bible tell us that death came into the world through the sin of Adam. And death spread to all man, because all sinned! Death is a result of sin, and all are condemned because of Adam’s offence. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” Romans 5:12 NKJV “And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.” Romans 5:16 NKJV All humans, from the point of their birth, are subject to death. That is a reflection of the sin that is in us. We are, by default, because of Adam’s sin, sinners as well, and subject to eternal condemnation. That means that if an infant dies, he/she will also be condemned eternally! As such, water baptism should also be conducted for infants for the remission of their sins. Infants also need salvation! Secondly, it is through baptism that we become part of the body of Christ. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13 NKJV “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” I Corinthians 12:27 NKJV Paul also links the idea of the body of Christ to salvation, saying that Jesus Christ has reconciled both Jews and Greek, in one body, to God. “and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:16 NKJV Without baptism, infants are not part of this body of Christ that is reconciled to God. How then, can they be saved without baptism? Thirdly, baptism in the new testament, is likened to circumcision in the old testament. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV Interestingly, circumcision was also a requirement to be considered a part of God’s people! Even foreigners who want to be included as God’s people, and keep the Passover, also have to be circumcised. “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”” Genesis 17:14 NKJV “And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.” Exodus 12:48 NKJV We can see from the above verses that circumcision was very important, and was a requirement to be the people of God. But, what was the significance behind the action? Was it just a physical act, or a work of the law? “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11-12 NKJV Paul explains that circumcision was a sign given to Abraham of his righteousness, as a result of his faith in God! And that he might be a father of faith, to those who believe (but are uncircumcised), and those who are not only circumcised, but walk in faith! That is to say, circumcision is actually a sign that one is a descendant of Abraham, the father of faith, and likewise walks in faith in God. When then is circumcision performed on the Israelites? When they are merely 8 days old! “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.” Genesis 17:12 NKJV Even though it is a sign of faith, we can see that God commanded the Israelites to be circumcised when they were only eight days old, an age where it is basically impossible for these neonates to show any signs of faith. God wants these children to be part of His people as early as possible! Since baptism is likened to circumcision in various ways, namely an act required to be part of God’s people, and also a sign of faith in God, why should infants be denied baptism, the way of entry into the body of Christ, simply because they are too young to confess their faith? The Bible places an importance on parental faith. In the case of the Philippian jailer, by his faith, his whole household was saved. That would have included his children as well. “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” Acts 16:31-33 NKJV We can also see how Jesus saved the children of the nobleman and the Canaanite woman, because they both had faith in Jesus. “The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.” John 4:49-50 NKJV “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28 NKJV The Bible also tell us that it is the parent’s responsibility to train up children in fearing God. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NKJV “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV Therefore, children of believers, who are not old enough to understand the concept of faith, should still be baptised, if their parents have faith. In fact, they need to be baptised to be part of the body of Christ and to have their sins forgiven! The responsibility of teaching them how to fear God and walk in faith thereafter, lies with their parents. In conclusion, let us remember that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God (Mk 10:13-16).” Let us not deny these children from being a part of His body and salvation.

I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

With God, we are never alone.

Life’s Great Wisdom - Appropriate Conduct

How do we glorify God in a world that seems to tell us opposing things?

The Corinthians had an appearance of humility, but were puffed up. What about us?

The ministry of an apostle, in Paul’s own words.

Looking at the farmer and the builder, let’s reflect on our service to the Lord.

Make God the center of your life missions.

Instead of human wisdom, Paul wanted to know only one thing.

At the beginning of Paul’s epistle to the church in Corinth, he begins his greeting by emphasising his calling by the Lord Jesus Christ as an apostle, urging the believers to recognise that we all share this calling. He seeks to remind us that our faith is not centred on the self but rather collective, rooted in Jesus Christ.  He swiftly addresses the fact that the Corinthians were rife with division and pride. They boasted allegiance to various leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. Paul questions them: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul?” Their strife and division reflect man’s tendency to prioritise personal differences and grievances over the unifying truth of the gospel. Therefore, Paul’s rejection of sectarianism reminds them, and us, to rise above rivalries and centre our faith on Jesus Christ alone. Paul goes on to speak about the power and wisdom of God. He says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1: 18). The world and its wisdom may dismiss the idea that salvation is attained through Jesus’ dying on the cross. Although it is perceived as a weakness, Paul argues that this perceived weakness, in light of man’s wisdom, is God’s power. This paradox shows us that God’s wisdom often contradicts our human logic, and it challenges us to reflect on how much we trust the Lord. How much do we trust in Jesus Christ when His will and plan for us seem to go against our plans or what we envision them to be? The cross truly dismantles this pride for “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1st Cor 1: 25). Lastly, Paul speaks about God using the foolish and weak to shame the wise and strong. Very often in our lives, God uses what seems small and insignificant to accomplish His purpose. In John 6:9, a young boy offers his small lunch, which seems insignificant and impossible, yet the Lord Jesus uses it to feed over 5000. God’s strength and wisdom shine through what man considers foolish and weak.  In a world that exalts pride and division, Paul urges us to be united and humble and to rely on the Lord Jesus. May all glory be given to the Lord.