The rite of water baptism differs from our communion table in that the bread and the cup are typically taken as an assembly, in the privacy of the church. The water baptism, while sometimes out of view of witnesses, is typically in public; ever since the days of John the Baptizer. It is a public statement and depending on where one lives, it may require a significant amount of courage to make this open declaration. It takes bravery to stand up to an antichrist culture, and by this action of baptism declare that “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
Bravery in Baptism
The Flesh
Paul realized that Christians do not always understand how we can instantly slide from being obedient in the spirit, to sinning against the Holy Spirit; how our spiritual nature is duped and or overpowered by our fallen nature – that sinful nature – the old nature also known as “the flesh.” To help them understand, he makes it painfully clear that this nature is completely corrupt, beyond reconciliation, and without exception it is contrary to God and my quest for Christlikeness; my flesh is my enemy that wars against God and me. But Paul’s lesson does not stop there. He clearly teaches that the solution is found only in Christ and saves the sinner from all condemnation; all who pursue the life in the Spirit
Guilty of Christianity
In an attempt to lessen tensions in the Jerusalem Church, Paul followed the appeasement plan of James, the half-brother of the Lord. This plan failed. While Paul was on the temple grounds he was recognized and grabbed. The crowd was stirred to wrath against Paul on charges that he spoke against Judaism and the temple. These charges were not entirely true, but what was true was that Paul was guilty of Christianity: preaching that a soul is saved by the finished work of Christ on the Cross and not by any work of man, including circumcision, diet, or Sabbath keeping.
Paul vs. James
Paul and James shared the same beliefs about Jesus Christ, but they did not share methods of ministry. The two men had a history of conflict and uneasiness with each other. They also happened to be the only two people who Christ Himself saved after His resurrection. In this section, the two meet again. Paul has with him an entourage of Gentile believers from the various churches, and they are bearing monetary gifts to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. James and the pastors of Jerusalem are quick to get to what is making them uneasy with Paul – his teachings that the rituals of Moses are valueless for salvation. They want Paul to pay for the vows of four Jews at the temple to appease the Jews disturbed by his teachings. Not only was this outside of Paul’s principles and expensive, but it also brings about Paul’s arrest, and the appeasement failed, as they usually do.
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