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February 20, 2009

THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN
by Cornelius R. Stam


Nothing will prove so helpful to a Christian in overcoming sin as an appreciation of Christ's death for sin at Calvary .The Bible teaches that:

1. The cross stands between the believer and his SINS: the wrong things he does, or is prone to do, in thought, word and deed.

"And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight" (Col. 1:21,22).

2. The cross stands between the believer and his SIN. It is not only men's sins that keep them out of heaven, but their sin; not merely what they have done, but what they are and what they will do; not merely their deeds, but their nature. But Christ's death took care of this too.

"...by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... But... much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many... That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:12,15,21).

"For [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, [Him] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).

3. The cross stands between the believer and his SINNING.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ... Our old man [nature] has been crucified with Him... that henceforth we should not serve sin... let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:1,2, 6,12,13).

[nChrist]

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February 21, 2009

SIN IS NO JOKE
by Cornelius R. Stam


The present trend in American moral conduct is downward. Increasing thousands all about us are throwing restraint to the winds "to enjoy the pleasures of sin".

We struggle with the problem of juvenile delinquency, but tempt the young in a hundred ways to immorality and violence. We are shocked at the deeds of sex-mad criminals who make it unsafe for women to walk the streets at night, but our women continue to pay less and less heed to the principles of modesty and decency that would contribute so greatly to their own safety.

Most of all, we have disregarded the Word of God. No longer does the Bible hold the first place in our homes. It rather lies gathering dust while our moral and spiritual strength is dissipated by pursuing pleasures that fail to bring true happiness or satisfaction. Yes, we have "a form of godliness" but our conduct "denies the power thereof".

Sin may be "fun" to many. They may joke about drunkenness, indecency and immorality, but God declares that it is no joke to Him. He says: "Fools make a mock at sin" (Prov.14:9); for, not only does sin in its very nature break down, rather than build up; but, as responsible creatures, sinners will one day have to give an account of their conduct to the God who created them.

To look at the brighter side, we may all rejoice in another indication that sin is no joke to God. St. Paul points it out in I Corinthians 15:3, where he says: "Christ died for our sins". Christ knew the horrible results of sin and the dreadful penalty which justice must visit upon it. Yes, and He also knew that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23), and in infinite love He left the glories of heaven and stooped to bear the disgrace and penalty for sin Himself! "Christ... hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (IPet.3:18 ), and those who come to know God through faith in Christ experience peace and joy which this world can never afford.

[nChrist]

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February 22, 2009

"UNDERSTANDEST THOU WHAT THOU READEST?"
by Cornelius R. Stam


This was the question Philip asked of the Ethiopian prince as he sat reading from Isaiah's prophecy (Acts 8:30), and it is a question which we should continually keep asking ourselves as we read the Holy Scriptures.

There are always those among God's people who do not much care whether or not they understand what they read, if only it warms their hearts! To them the Bible is little more than a fetish. Taking only those Scriptures which appeal to them, and leaving the rest, they actually feel themselves quite spiritual and often talk about believing the Bible whether they understand it or not!

But such "spirituality" is far from genuine, and such "faith" is blind and superstitious at best.

While it is true that the Bible teaches many truths which we believe, although they are beyond our comprehension (such as its opening verse!), yet how can we believe what the Bible says unless we understand what it says? God would have us understand what we read and believe it intelligently. Indeed, true faith will want to know and understand more and more of God's Word. One who does not care whether or not he understands what God has said is not interested in knowing what God has said at all. His faith is based on his own will rather than on God's Word, for regardless of the meaning of Scripture, he will take any passage that suits his fancy and use it as he wishes.

How great an emphasis God Himself puts upon the importance of understanding His Word! On one occasion, when our Lord saw the multitudes, He "was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34).

And now that the secret of God's great plan has been made known, how much more reason there is to study the Scriptures with a view to understanding them! How Paul, by the Spirit, emphasizes this as he writes of his prayers for the saints:

"THAT the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, MAY GIVE UNTO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM:

"THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; THAT YE MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING..." (Eph.1:17,18 ).

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February 23, 2009

HEALING, THEN AND NOW
by Cornelius R. Stam


"And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean" (Mark 1:40).

It is interesting to observe exactly what the leper did and did not say to our Lord in the above passage. He did not say: "If You could, You would," even though more and greater miracles would unquestionably have enhanced our Lord's fame. He rather said: "If You will, You can" --- "If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean."

The people of our Lord's day did not question the genuineness of His miracles. No one suggested that the infirmities He dealt with might be psychosomatic in nature, that they were probably either real healings of imaginary infirmities or imaginary healings of real infirmities. They could not raise these objections, for the evidences of the supernatural character of His healings were too overwhelming to admit of this. Everywhere He went healing the sick or casting out demons, the people "wondered and were amazed," and spread "His fame" abroad from city to city. At Capernaum:

"All they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them" (Luke 4:40).

How different it is with the "healers" of our day and with their claims! Entirely apart from the objections of those who question these "healings" on Scriptural grounds, it is a simple fact that great numbers of people among the general populace question the validity of both the "healers" and their "healing miracles."

Meantime, as one has said, the death rate remains "one apiece." There always comes that last time, when the "healing" doesn't work and the patient dies. This is why all modern "healers" leave behind them a long, sad trail of disillusionment and shaken faith.

[nChrist]

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February 24, 2009

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
by Russell S. Miller


"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the Scriptures, and THAT HE WAS BURIED, and THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY according to the Scriptures" (ICor.15:3,4).

There were witnesses of the resurrection of Christ and in this passage of I Corinthians, the Apostle Paul cites Peter and the twelve apostles who saw the Lord after His resurrection, and he further states:

"After that, He was seen of more than five hundred brethren at once." He was seen "of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all, He was seen of me also as one born out of due time" (ICor.15:5-8 ).

That Christ was "raised again the third day" is of the utmost importance because it is the receipt from God, Himself, that our sins have been paid in full--signed in His own blood, as it were. This is a very good reason for following the glorified Lord Jesus Christ. Death and Hades could not keep the Son of God in its icy grip. Unlike you and me, the Lord Jesus Christ had no sin, He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, [and] separate from sinners" (Heb.7:26), and possessing "the spirit of holiness" God "declared [Him] to be the Son of God with power...by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:4).

The Father raised Christ from the dead (Gal.1:1). The Spirit raised Christ from the dead (IPet.1:18 ). Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead (John 10:18 ). In the resurrection of Christ God shows "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us--ward who believe" (Eph.1:19). Christ's appearance to Paul was very different than His appearances had been unto all those other saints. The Apostle Paul saw the risen, EXALTED, and GLORIFIED, LORD JESUS CHRIST in the glory of His grace. Listen to Paul's own testimony:

"And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias...said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, AND SEE THAT JUST ONE, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth" (Acts 22:11-14).

So in Paul's gospel when he focuses upon the "crucified" One (ICor.1:23), he proclaims "Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom.16:25). In our endeavors, therefore, to keep our congregations informed of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ may we never forget that we "who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the BLOOD of Christ" (Eph.2:13).

What love, and what grace, that should compel our worship, our praise, and our adoration of our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And it all begins at Calvary.

[nChrist]

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February 25, 2009

THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD
by Cornelius R. Stam


"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (I Cor. 1:20).

This challenge was hurled at the intellectual world of nineteen hundred years ago, so famous for its philosophy, literature and art. Nor are these the words of one who himself lacked the benefits of higher learning. Rather, they flowed from the pen of one of the most learned men, one of the greatest thinkers of all time: the Apostle Paul. More than this, they are found in that Book of books, the Bible, which has withstood, not barely but magnificently, all the attacks of a thousand critics through centuries of time. This Book says:

"The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (I Cor. 3:19).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov. 9:10).

Actually, the "intellectuals" in any age are those who assent to the theories of those who agree with each other that they are intellectual! Dissent from them and you have automatically branded yourself an illiterate!

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

"And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

"That no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Cor. 1:27-29).

[nChrist]

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February 26, 2009

CONFESSING CHRIST
by Cornelius R. Stam


"...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9,10).

In these sublime words the Apostle Paul sets forth God's simple plan of salvation. He calls it, in the preceding verse, "The word of faith, which we preach."

But often babes in Christ are urged to get to their feet in public testimony on the basis of the words: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth . . . thou shalt be saved." Thus new Christians are given to feel that a heart faith is not enough to make them secure; that not until they have risen in public testimony are they saved and safe.

But what, then, does the Apostle mean by these words? Does he not plainly say, "If thou shalt confess... thou shalt be saved?" Yes, but here again, as with so many other passages, a traditional meaning has been superimposed upon the actual words of Scripture. What does the English word "confess" mean? Why, nothing more than to "acknowledge," to "admit." And this is exactly what the original Greek word means too, nor does Romans 10:9,10 say anything about confessing before men.

The trouble is that the idea of confession has been changed to profession --- even public profession --- and multitudes have followed the tradition of the fathers instead of examining the Word to see what it actually says. And so "the Word of faith" has been corrupted.

But does not the Apostle clearly say "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth... thou shalt be saved?" Indeed! And he adds, "and shalt believe in thine heart!" Now let us ask: Is it with that physical organ which pumps blood into our veins that we believe on Christ as our Savior? Oh, no! You say that is merely a figure of speech; somehow the heart is associated with believing. Exactly! Then you would insist that it is with the physical mouth we must confess! Can mutes not be saved then?

As if anticipating the misinterpretation of his words, the Spirit-inspired Apostle adds:

"For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Vers.11,13).

This is "the Word of Faith, which we preach."

[nChrist]

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February 27, 2009

"THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS"
by Cornelius R. Stam


St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive "the abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Rom.5:17) which God in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation.

The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift of God's grace.

Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; "It is written, there is none righteous, no, not one". This is why Paul pitied those who continued to go about "to establish their own righteousness" (Rom.10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they needed to be saved (See Verse One).

Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham's justification before God, the Apostle says: "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom.4:3).

Abraham's justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ was to die for sin, but Christ's death is now past; it is an historical fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to all as a gift. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom.5:8 ). "God hath made Him to be sin for us...that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (IICor.5:21).

But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness" (Rom.4:5).

[nChrist]

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February 28, 2009

ARE YOU READY?
by Cornelius R. Stam


I wonder what finally became of Molotov? Most of us know only that he was expelled from the Communist Party and was later recalled to Moscow to answer for what Kruschev, of all people, called "barbarous crimes"! Molotov, "the hammer," was active in the Communist Revolution since 15 years of age. A close friend of Stalin, he served Soviet Russia variously as Secretary of the Central Committee, Premier of USSR, its Foreign Minister and its Representative to the UN.

But in 1957 Kruschev, jealous of Stalin's popularity, dismissed Molotov from the Presidium and sent him away as ambassador to 'Outer Mongolia'. Now disgraced along with his old friend Stalin, this once popular hero of the Soviets was discarded by the system he championed. Pathetic, but he deserved it.

Contrast this with the Apostle Paul. He had been great, prospering in his religion above many of his equals, being "more exceedingly zealous" of the traditions of his fathers (Gal. 1:14). But he gave all this up and counted it loss for "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Serving Christ amid unceasing persecution, he said:

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

Yes, and in his last recorded words before Nero beheaded him, Paul said:

"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown..." (II Tim. 4:6-8 ).

What a triumphant way to go! And you, my friend, can go that way too -- if you can say with Paul, "I am ready."

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

[nChrist]

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March 1, 2009

TWO IN THE FIELD AND TWO AT THE MILL
by Cornelius R. Stam


"Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour you Lord doth come" (Matt.24:40-42).

How often the above passage has been interpreted to apply to our Lord's coming for the members of His Body! At the rapture of the Church, it is said, two will be working in the field, when one will be taken to heaven and the other left to go through the day of God's wrath, and so also with two women who may be grinding side by side at the mill: one will be caught up to be with the Lord and the other left behind.

But actually this passage cannot have anything to do with the rapture of the Body to be with Christ.

First, the truth of our Lord's coming for the members of His Body was a secret first revealed by the glorified Lord through Paul (ICor.15:51-58; IThes. 4:15-18 ).

But from Matthew 24 itself it is still more evident that the passage cannot refer to the rapture.

True, the passage says: "The one shall be taken, and the other left", but where and how will the one be taken, and what will be the lot of the one who is left behind?

From the verses immediately preceding, it is evident that the coming of Christ to earth to judge and reign is in view. This coming is likened to what happened in the days of Noah. The people ate and drank, married and gave away again in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, "and knew not until the flood came and took them all away". These people were not "taken away" to glory; they were "taken away" in judgment.

Since verses 40 and 41 are a continuation of this illustration, it is evident that the two "taken away" are taken away in judgment at our Lord's return to reign, while the two who are "left" are left to enter into His millennial reign. This interpretation alone is consistent with the whole context in which we find this passage.

How much confusion would be avoided if the truth of the rapture of the Body to be with Christ were recognized to be what it is: a divine secret first revealed to Paul concerning the Church of this present dispensation, the Body of Christ.

[nChrist]

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March 2, 2009

GODLINESS IN AN UNGODLY DAY
by Cornelius R. Stam


It is an interesting fact that the words "godly" and "godliness" are not found in Paul's writings until we come to the Pastoral Epistles, the very epistles that have so much to say about evil days and evil surroundings.

In the epistles to Timothy we read about the "perilous times" with which this present dispensation of grace will be brought to a close, while in the letter to Titus we read of "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers," of "liars... evil beasts... lazy gluttons," whom Satan would use to neutralize the work and witness of God's servants.

To Timothy and Titus, these young men of God, the Apostle had much to say about godliness, and we must not forget that Paul's words to them are also God's Word to us, believers in Christ, who indeed appear to be living in the closing days of the dispensation of grace, surrounded by a steadily-rising tide of evil and an ever-growing number of wicked, godless men.

We do not mean to imply that the Apostle does not deal with the various phases of the Christian life in his other epistles, but rather that here in the Pastoral Epistles he wages a sort of campaign for individual godly living in the midst of increasing apostasy and godlessness.

May God help us, in our character and conduct, to exhibit "the power of godliness," the spiritual power that comes from putting Christ first in all things.

[nChrist]

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March 3, 2009

THE BIBLE ON THE FLOOR
by Cornelius R. Stam


"...Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2).

As I passed by my study the other night, I noticed that I had left a Bible lying on the floor next to a chair. In studying I had put it down momentarily to consult a reference book and had neglected to pick it up again.

Now, as I caught a fleeting glimpse of that blessed Book lying there, it bothered me; in fact it bothered me enough to make me go back and pick it up and put it where it belonged.

Then I began wondering why so trivial a matter had troubled me. Was it because I remembered how dad would never allow anything to lie on top of the Bible? Had mere sentiment confused my thinking?

Surely the Word of God is forever settled in heaven and that book lying on the floor was only paper, ink and a leather cover. Or was it? Was it not also the Word of God as given to us? And as such, was it not representative of God Himself? If our country's flag must be treated with honor and respect; if it is sacrilege to treat it as mere cloth, how much more is this so where the Holy Bible is concerned!

No, it was not merely dad's example that came to mind as I saw the Bible lying there: certainly it was not only that. Rather it was a Scripture passage of which he often reminded us; the inspired words of David quoted above:

"Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name."

To be sure God would have us use His Word as a textbook from which to learn His will. It is no sign of reverence for this great Book to leave it lying untouched on the shelf. He would have us use it and study it, perhaps underlining important passages and marking significant connections. But with all this we must never forget to treat it with the reverence and honor due the written Word of God.

[nChrist]

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March 4, 2009

UNTIL WHEN?
by Cornelius R. Stam


One of the greatest prophecies of Scripture is found in Psalm 110:1 where David wrote: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."

In Matt. 22:41-46 our Lord explained that this was a prophecy about Himself, David's Son and Lord. Men might hate Him and cry "Away with Him!" They might nail Him to a tree and laugh and sneer at Him, but God the Father responds by saying: "Here, come sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool."

We should never forget that according to Bible prophecy God's response to man's rejection of Christ was to be judgment and wrath. In Psalm 2 the question is asked why the nations rage and the people of Israel imagine a vain thing: that they can get along without the One whom God has anointed to be King. The Psalm depicts God laughing at their attempts to thwart His purposes and predicts that "the Lord shall have them in derision" and "speak unto them in His wrath."

At Pentecost all was ready for the judgment to fall. Christ had been crucified and "the last days" had begun, as Peter declared in Acts 2:16,17, quoting from the prophet Joel. But strangely, while some of Joel's prophecy was fulfilled, or began to be fulfilled, at that time, the rest of it was not, for God did not -- and has not yet -- sent the prophesied judgment.

Thank God, in infinite grace He interrupted the prophetic program, delayed the remainder of its fulfillment and revealed to the Apostle Paul His secret purpose to offer to His enemies everywhere salvation and reconciliation by free grace, through faith in the crucified, risen Savior. In His Ephesian letter the Apostle asks whether they have heard of "the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery" (Eph. 3:1-3). Now, thank God, His eternal purpose in Christ is no longer a secret. While the day of grace lasts we may be "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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March 5, 2009

FULL ASSURANCE
by Cornelius R. Stam


It is wonderful to have the full assurance of salvation, and it is God's will that every one of us enjoy this assurance. Toward the close of his life the Apostle John wrote by divine inspiration:

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." (I John 5:13).

There are three bases upon which believers in Christ may enjoy the full assurance of salvation: First, God urges every true believer: "Let us draw near, with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith..." (Heb. 10:22). This is the full assurance that results from simply believing God; much as a child implicitly believes what his father has said and is absolutely sure that it is true. God says: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). We may simply -- and with good reason -- believe His Word and enjoy the full assurance of faith.

Second, we may enjoy what Heb. 6:11 calls "the full assurance of hope." The hope of the Bible, however, must not be confused with wishing. The Christian's "hope" is "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast" (Ver. 19). It comes from having proved God. Thus the full assurance of hope is the confidence that results from having accepted God's Word.

But third, and best of all, is what Col. 2:2 calls "riches of the full assurance of understanding." This full assurance is God's reward to Christians who study His Word and His purposes, beginning with His plan of salvation as revealed in "the gospel of the grace of God." When one not only believes God's Word, but begins to understand it he cannot but be gripped by its sublime reasonableness, its powerful logic, and its provision for his deepest needs, and thus he comes to enjoy "all [the] riches of the full assurance of understanding."

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March 6, 2009

BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM
by Russell S. Miller
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The Apostle Paul not only preached the death of Christ but he also declared what was accomplished in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This no other writer Old Testament or New, had ever done before!

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:3,4).

In Romans 6 Paul teaches us that when we got saved God took us back to Calvary, and made us one with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Our old Adamic nature, "that old man" that we are all so ashamed of, was crucified with Christ: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rom.6:6). Thus "sin [is] not to reign" in our "mortal body" (6:12). And what's more, we have also "become dead to the law by the body of Christ" (Rom.7:4,6).

"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Eph.2:15).

But not only are we made one with Jesus Christ in His death, and set gloriously free, there is another very important reason for Christ's burial, which again is only revealed in Paul's epistles.

That Adamic nature has been buried in Joseph's tomb with Christ. Yes, our sins, and that sin nature, has been put away forever out of God's sight, and we are free (Lev.16:1-34; Heb.13:10-14)! Just as Jesus Christ was actually buried, so we have been buried with Him. "Therefore," says the Apostle, "we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom.6:4). Yes, this is true, it has really taken place. And because you can't reform that old sin nature, nor justify it, Paul here declares that the old Adamic sin nature must be buried, and we must reckon it to be so daily:

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom.6:11).