“When Did You Believe?”

“When Did You Believe?”
At no time are we supposed to be antagonistic towards those who express doubt about the Christian faith. We have to be soft on them and continue teaching and explaining until they become convinced. Even the Eleven did not believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ until Jesus “rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after his resurrection.”
That notwithstanding, after rebuking them Jesus commissioned them to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creations.” Those who believe and are baptized will be saved but those who do not believe will be condemned.
Jesus also told them, “And these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mk.16:14-18).
Our focus this week is on the role of water (baptism) in the Christian faith. We do not undermine the signs that will accompany those who believe and are baptized. But it is not a blue print to go hunting for snakes to pick or intentionally drinking poison just because Jesus has said so. If you do that the snakes will bite you and the poison will kill you. As for speaking in other tongues, it may be glosolalia, but it is plain that it means being knowledgeable in other languages. If you have to go out into “all the world and preach the good news” you must of necessity understand other languages.
As for faith healing there is no gainsaying that many have been healed through the laying on of hands. Scientific medical and herbal healing are all still wonders of God’s grace and are still faith healing. That is why the bronze serpent is a universal medical symbol. The same that Jesus used as an illustration of the healing he will effect when people look up to him.
You have received water baptism no doubt, but are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Some seventeen years ago a schoolmate from the kingdom of Swaziland asked me, “When did you believe?” It was a puzzling question to me, but it set me on a faith reflection path. I finally realized that it is not baptism that opens the door of salvation to you. Salvation comes when you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. This may occur before, during or years after baptism.
Therefore my friend, don’t just rejoice that heaven is your home because you received water baptism; rather search inwardly to find out if you have been “born again!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ make me a born again so that I will enjoy eternity with you. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!