Monthly Archives: February 2008

1 John 1:7: Explain 1 Jn. 1:7

Let’s first look at 1 Jn.1 :7 in the ASV translations. This version reads: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

When a person becomes a Christian, they are obligated to “walk in the light” (follow the instructions found in the Bible). No person will do this perfectly because all continue to sin (Rom. 3:23—notice that “fall short” is a present tense verb).

Forgiveness of sins is like a burning fire. As long as wood is added, a fire will continue to burn. As long as Christians try to live the Christian life and repent of the things they do wrong, they are continuously forgiven of their sins. This point is illustrated in other parts of the Bible as well. Paul said Christians “stand in the grace of God.” It is possible to “depart from the faith” (1Tim. 4:1—this just one verse showing the “perseverance of the saints doctrine” associated with Calvinism is untrue), but a Christian must forsake Christ for this to happen.

In writing to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 9) Paul also used the present tense (9:1-2) to say Christians can “walk in the light and be continuously cleansed from sin.” In verse 1 as well as verse 2 he used the verb “are” (present tense). Twice in the opening verses of this chapter he said the Corinthians were “in” (present tense) Christ.

If you have become a Christian (see the information below) and are living a faithful Christian life, have confidence that you are “in Christ,” “walking in the light,” and thus “have on-going fellowship with God” (1 Jn. 1:7).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Wrong opinions : Be careful about accepting the judgments of others

Pick almost any subject and you will find that most people have an opinion about it. People like to make judgments about all kinds of things.

In the First Corinthian letter (especially chapter 9), Paul said people had made some judgments about him. He realized there were those who did not think he was an apostle). He responded by saying that others may not hold him in high regard, or even believe he was an apostle, but the Corinthians knew the truth about him(9:1-3). He was an apostle, and his work among the Corinthians proved it.

Just because a person has an opinion, and may be very forceful about it, it may not be right. We live in a time where politicians and religious figures are often persuasive in their opinions and judgments. Be sure that an opinion is seen for what it is (an opinion). Before believing an opinion or accepting a person’s judgment on things, get the facts. Without the facts one can engage in the same error the Corinthians’ did (they had come to doubt Paul’s apostleship).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Choosing good or evil

IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS WE ARE GIVEN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT CHOOSING GOOD OR EVIL.

a) Our study will begin with man’s worst possible choice (evil) – Prov. 4:17.
b) Those who select evil “eat the bread of wickedness” and “drink the wine of violence.”
i) Evil is portrayed as food; it is as if people use it for nourishment.
2) Another key passage about evil in Proverbs is Prov. 15:28.
a) This text talks about speech.
b) He says a wicked person’s mouth “pours out evil things.” READ
3) In many ways our world encourages people to be evil.
4) It tells people they ought to be able to say whatever they want.
5) Of course, the world really does not mean that.
6) In the world there are some things that are off limits; it does have limits.
7) Do our words associate us with God and righteousness or things that are sensual and sinful?
8) Jesus said His people are to be different—the salt and light of the world.
9) If our verbal and written speech is like what we find in the world, we are like wicked men and women.
a) Evil people are a blight on society.
b) The wise man illustrated this point in Prov. 28:15. READ
10) Wickedness not only affects the person who is evil, it has an impact on the lives of others.
11) When a ruler is evil, things are especially bad.
12) Evil people are so bad they have nothing but hate for those who are unlike them.
13) Prov. 29:27 says that to a “righteous man,” and “evil person is an abomination.”
14) This is one truth. A second truth is at the end of that verse.
15) Wicked people hate the righteous. Prov. 29:10.
16) In Prov. 15:9 we are told that God despises the “way of the wicked.”
17) If we follow the path of unrighteousness, we will be condemned (eternally separated from God).
18) At the end of this text we are informed that “God loves those who follow righteousness.”
19) God tells us in Prov. 15:8 that He hates their sacrifices. Evil people may worship, but God rejects it.
20) Wicked people often have many hopes. Prov. 10:28 says their hopes are vain (they will perish).
21) The “curse of God” is in the house of the wicked” (Prov. 3:33).
22) Prov. 24:20 says the wicked will be “snuffed out.”
23) Evil people listen to evil talk (Prov. 17:4) and plots evil (Prov. 16:27).
24) Pursuing evil, whether a little or a lot, is a very bad choice.
25) A second choice is available to all people.
a) This way is a straight path; it directs a person’s way (Prov. 11:5).
26) Prov. 13:6 says that “righteousness guards a person.”
27) Prov. 24:16 speaks of righteous people “falling several times.”
28) God’s people may fall may times. The text also tells us they will “get up.”
29) Prov. 12:3 says the “root of the righteous” shall not be moved.
30) Prov. 11:3 says that righteous people have “integrity that guides them.”
31) Prov. 11:6 speaks about the “righteousness” of the upright – this too can exist in people’s lives.
32) Prov. 21:8 speaks of the “pure” (the innocent).
33) A person who is truly upright will show that in their speech – Prov. 8:6.
34) From all these Proverbs (and more we did not mention), we see two clear choices.
35) Long ago a very brave man said: choose this day who you will serve (Josh. 24:15).
36) Which choice have we made?

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Were rods changed into snakes in Ex. 7?

Did the magicians in Ex. 7 really have power, or were they just clever magicians? Were their “rods” real rods that changed into snakes, or was this a good trick? If it was a trick, how might it have been performed?

It is not only possible that the Egyptian magicians performed a clever trick, it is very likely. Some magicians are familiar with a very clever “snake trick.” At least one type of snake can essentially be “paralyzed” and for all intents and purposes it seems the serpent is stiff like a rod. When the serpent is released (an easy thing to do), it becomes active. This trick would actually make a snake appear to change from a rod to a serpent. Modern magicians have done a similar thing with rods (canes), supposedly changing them into various items.

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

CONTENTMENT

Genuine contentment is one of the rarest personal accomplishments achieved by an individual soul, yet, it is one of the most desirable and sought after virtues.

Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). There was a time when Paul was not content, but now he is content because he “learned” how to be content. Contentment is not a natural tendency of human nature. Covetousness, murmuring and discontentment are as natural to man as thorns and weeds are to the soil. If you want weeds to grow in your garden, you don’t have to plant them, they’ll come up naturally because they are indigenous to this earth that carries the curse of God (Genesis 3:18). Likewise, you don’t have to teach man how to murmur and complain. Though a man has never attended an hour of instruction, still, he knows how to murmur, complain, and be discontent.

If you want flowers to grow in your garden, you must cultivate the ground, plant them, and care for them. They will not grow just by wishful thinking. “Contentment” is one of the flowers of the Christian life. When we repent of our sins, and are baptized into Christ, (Acts 2:38), we become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Still, we must carefully cultivate the Grace that God has sown in our souls.

Since contentment is something we learn, then it is something we must be taught. Paul’s knowledge of, and total commitment to Jesus Christ, coupled with roller coaster life experiences, taught him to be content. Without a knowledge of, and total commitment to Jesus Christ, there is no genuine, lasting contentment. Christianity is more than mere acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God. It is a commitment that touches every aspect of our life. Only when we commit ourselves to the Word of God can we find ourselves being content, and enjoying the “more abundant life” (John 10:10).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Does God speak directly to people today?

Many people (including well known preachers) claim God speaks to them. They may say, “The Lord spoke to me,” “The Holy Spirit” said to me,” or “God told me” something. It is not uncommon to hear people claim God spoke to them as a casual friend.

The next time you hear someone saying God spoke to them, do not believe it. In the Bible, when God or a heavenly messenger spoke to someone, the reaction was fear. The idea that God speaks to someone and the person can regard it as a casual conversation is absolutely foreign to the Bible. When God speaks, people collapsed or were overcome (Rev. 1:17). See, too, Judg. 13:22; Dan. 10:7; Mk. 16:5; Lk. 1:12; 2:9-10; Acts 10:1-4; Heb. 12:21).

In addition to these passages, two more verses are very helpful: Jude 3 and Heb. 1:1-2. According to the first two verses in Hebrews 1, God has now spoken to us “in His Son.” He has not spoken through Joseph Smith, Billy Graham, Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, or anyone else. Jude 3 says the faith has been confirmed “once for all time.” God gave the truth in the first century (compare Jn. 16:13-14), and that is all. If we refuse to read and accept the Bible, no other message will be given.

Do not believe the false claims about people receiving messages from God. Remember, Satan masquerades as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). He would love to have you believe false teachers who preach a message other than the Bible.

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

What is your conception of God? 1 Kings 20:28

The Syrians thought the God of the Israelites was limited to helping the Israelites only in the mountains. They thought that if they could lure them into the valleys, they could easily defeat them. They were wrong, and suffered a devastating defeat. If God is God at all, He is God everywhere and all the time.

What about your conception of God? Do you think of God as being a God only in certain areas of your life, but not in others?

For example: Is your God a God in sickness, but not in health? Is there not more danger in being lost when you are healthy? Do you have one God for Sunday, and a different God during the week? Would the God you worship on Sunday approve of your business dealings, your language, and your recreation during the week? Is your God a God of some commands of the Bible, but not all commands of the Bible? Do you put more emphasis on the command to “love one another,” (1Peter 4:8), and forget the command to “love God” (1John 5:3; 2John 6)? Do you put more emphasis on the command to “worship” (Revelation 22:9c), but pay little attention as to how you are to worship (John 4:23-24)? I your God a God in death, but not in life? We all want God near to us at death, but do we want Him near during our life? If God is not our God during life, He will not be our God at death (Proverbs 1:24-28).

True Christianity is not something you can turn off and on like a light switch. The Blood of Christ cleanses our sins only if we “walk in the light as He is in the light (1John 1:7). Even our prayers are hindered by inconsistent Christian living (1Peter 3:12). God has never rewarded half-hearted commitment (Deuteronomy 4:29). — Toby Miller

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Sinning against a fellow Christian

How we treat fellow Christians is ultimately how we treat Jesus because Christians are members of his body the church (Eph. 1:22-23). If a Christian sins against a fellow saint, he sins against Christ (1 Cor. 8:12). Paul (1 Cor. 3:16-17) promised spiritual destruction to those who destroy fellow Christians.

List some of the ways Christians can sin against one another:

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Is it wrong to celebrate Halloween?

Is it right or wrong to observe Halloween? Many Bible believing people wonder about this issue, and the Bible deals with it in places like 1 Cor. 8.

Some simple research into Halloween leaves no doubt that it is rooted in paganism. In 1 Cor. 8 Paul spoke to Christians who lived in a very pagan culture, and this environment involved eating meat sacrificed to idols. Paul told the Corinthians they could not participate in idol worship (1 Cor. 10:20-21), but it was not wrong to be in contact with things that came from paganism (1 Cor. 8:8). If Halloween is used to honor paganism and the forces of evil, it is wrong. If involvement with it is not designed to honor any pagan deities it is a matter of personal judgment just as eating meat sacrificed to idols was a matter of judgment.

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

What Time Is It?

We know that God has already appointed a day in which He will judge the world according to righteousness (Acts 17:31). That is, there is a specific time already fixed in the mind of God in which this earth and all life as we know it will come to an end. When Jesus spoke to His disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, they asked, “When shall all these things be?” (Matthew 24:3). Good question! Concerning the destruction of the heavens and earth (2Peter 3:10), we need to ask the same question: “When shall all these things be?” That is, “What time is it? How close are we to the appointed day?”

God has kept the earth rotating around the sun at an angle of 23 1/3 degrees for at least 6,000 years. The Law of Christ has already been in existence three times longer than the Law of Moses. More than at anytime since the first century, men are mocking the Bible and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). Our knowledge is doubling every 4 years (Daniel 12:4). And, our earth is “waxing old like a garment” (Isaiah 51:6), already supporting over 6 billion people, and that is expected to double in the next 12 to 15 years! How many people can the earth support? Just what time is it?

In the rat-race of our society, there’s the tendency for our faith to grow lazy and go into hibernation. That would be a tragic mistake, because our world is moving toward a certain, fixed destiny. The Bible summarizes this “certain destiny” in two simple words: THE END (1Corinthians 15:24).

Paul writes, “…and knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11). No one knows the day nor hour when our Lord will return (Mark 13:32-33), but we do know that we are 24 hours closer than we were yesterday at this time. Are you prepared? (Matthew 25:1-13).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Eating idol meat – questions in 1 Cor. 8

In studying 1 Cor. 8 is important to remember that Paul was dealing with basically two classes of people. One group was comfortable eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. A second was not. Somehow these two groups had to be brought together; the unifying factor was to be love as discussed later in the book (1 Cor. 13).

In 1 Cor. 8 Paul asks and answers these three basic questions: (1) Could a Christian attend a feast if an idol was being honored? (2) Could a Christian eat at a friend’s house if meat was served? (3) Could a Christian eat, in his own house, meat that had been sacrificed to an idol?

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).

Tips to succeed in the Christian life

1) Today we want to consider three different points that could be classified as “tips.”
a) The first tip will involve things to “remember.”
b) Heaven’s second tip is, “do not take things for granted.”
c) Tip three is, “Do not depend upon our own strength.”
2) Jesus tells us we are well advised to remember some things in the spiritual realm, Mt. 16:9.
a) Jesus nd His apostles then began a journey and they forgot to get food (Mt. 16:7).
b) The disciples were beginning to wonder where they were going to get something to eat.
c) Jesus responded to their concern with the words in verse 9 – READ
d) In Lk. 17:32 He said, “remember Lot’s wife.”
3) Gen. 19:26 says Lot’s wife “became a pillar of salt.”
a) This woman failed to remember that God is a God who keeps His word.
b) When she did not remember and apply that information, she died.
c) We are not told why she looked back, but it is very likely she was tied too closely to the world.
4) In the Old Testament a wise man said “remember God” (Eccl. 12:1).
a) This passage speaks of remembering God in the early years (youth).
b) This a divine tip (remembering God in the early years is the way to have the best possible life).
c) The world’s advice is to try out everything it has to offer.
d) Smoke, dance, drink, sleep around, try drugs, and wallow in sin.
5) Certainly when the end of life comes, people want God to “remember” them.
a) In Lk. 23:42 we are told about a thief who was crucified with Jesus.
b) This man had a dying request. He said to Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
6) Part of our remembrance is taking God’s word and storing it up in the heart.
a) Lk. 24 tells us they came to the tomb and found it had been opened.
b) Angels were there and these women received a divine message: Lk. 24:6 – READ
7) About 30 times in the New Testament we find statements about “remembering” things.
8) Christians need to keep in memory who they are, what God wants them to do, and what their future holds.
9) Remembering also involves the time when we became a Christian.
a) Do we remember when we left behind the old life of sin?
b) Do we remember the zeal and passion from when we were baptized for the forgiveness of sins?
c) We need to remember that time because it can help move us forward as a Christian.

10) A second divine tip we find in the scriptures involves taking things for granted.
a) Consider the man in Lk. 12:18-19. Jesus described a man who was a farmer.
b) Listen to verse 19 of Lk. 12 – READ. “Many years” is a key point in this story.
11) James (4:12-15).
12) The right attitude is found in verse 15 – READ & 1 Tim. 6:17.
13) Paul followed this up with a related thought in 1 Tim. 6:17.
14) IF THE TWO POINTS PRESENTED THUS FAR ARE TRUE (AND THE BIBLE AFFIRMS THAT THEY ARE), THERE WOULD SEEM TO BE A LOGICAL CONCLUSION. THAT IS, WE CANNOT DEPEND UPON OUR OWN STRENGTH.
a) Paul said he could do “all things,” but he had to go through “Christ” (Phil. 4:13).
b) In 2 Cor. 12:9-10 Paul also said, when he was “weak he was strong.”
15) Eph. 6:10 says, “be strong in the Lord.”
16) Trusting in our own strength actually turns us away from God – Jer. 17:5.
17) Jesus said that apart from Him we can do “nothing” (Jn. 15:5).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).