Under What Circumstances Should Someone Be Rebaptized?

When should someone be rebaptized as one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity high on Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. Here's the number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter account and you can always email us at questions at core, Christianity.com we do receive voicemails here on a regular basis and here's one from one of our listeners named Tom.

I have a question about praying for the elderly who are sick.

I have a 90+-year-old father-in-law is a retired Baptist minister who often goes into the hospital for physical needs and reposts request for prayer and frankly I'm at a loss about how to pray for these people do. I pray for healing.

Often it seems to me like people who should have the most hope often live their life, especially at the end of their life as people who have no hope. So I appreciate an answer to how to pray for these people and also curious how maybe you have prayed for people in the hospital when you gone to visit them, especially elderly you pray for healing in front of the family. Thank you Tom, thank you for that question yes or their minis. This is where I will pray for healing in front of the family, but I think that you're onto something here just in terms of God works in our lives and we we get to the point where you know the Lord is is bring us home to be with him. We live the life of faith trusting in him, trusting in his promises and think of what Paul said in Philippians chapter 1, where he served going back and forth. He's talking to the Philippians about how soon EE sees himself departing to be with Christ, and he knows that's better than anything else in this world. He is torn because he wants to continue to serve the Philippians and to encourage the churches is as you know III don't know what to choose for me to live is Christ to die is gain. And I think that's that's a thing for the believer McCann. Can we say that to die is gain.

That doesn't mean that that death is not a terrible thing, something that we we mourn over and and bring sorrow to our hearts, we also have the hope that Jesus gives us through his resurrection from the dead, and so I think I think it's okay to pray that we would die well and with faith trusting in the Lord and that it in those final days and hours that the Lord would renew and strengthen the faith of an individual so that as they as they come to that point they would meet it with with full hope and faith in the victorious work of Jesus Christ. Now oftentimes when I when I'm visiting someone depending on the situation. They might be elderly might just be sick and enter in the hospital.

I will use the Psalms. I love to go to the Psalms and pray the Psalms with an individual or over an individual. Some of the ones that I go to some chapter 22 verse 19 but you oh Lord, do not be far off OU my help come quickly to my aid deliver my soul from the sword.

My precious life from the power of the dog, save me from the mouth of a lion. You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will tell of your name to my brothers in the midst of the congregation I will praise you, and in particular what I'm praying for the Lord's healing in an individual's life. The Lord raised up this person so that they might in the midst of the congregation praise you and so often will go to the Psalms like Psalm 22 like Psalm 25, for example, verses 16 and following were the psalmist says turned to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Bring me out of my distresses consider my affliction and my trouble and forgive all my sins. That's we cry out to the Lord for not every situation is going to be different and requires wisdom in terms of how we ought to pray, and I think in situations like the one that you're in. Oh I would just say that the Lord would continue to strengthen the faith of this individual and and even these days be be renewing the inner man is God promises in his word, even while the outward personal. Our bodies are part are perishing over growing weaker and weaker than our faith in Christ would grow stronger and stronger, and that God would comfort those especially the family around that needs the comfort of his Holy Spirit so Tom, thank you for your question.

God bless you and in your father-in-law's well with the Lord be with him and and do just that. Me strengthen his faith. Some right words of encouragement. Thank you for that Israel.

This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We'd love to get your call if you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. It's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 go to Chad calling in from Fort Wayne, Indiana Chad what your question prayed real Jerry they're all you you right granted lately old building right you know that the money you guys are really felt that Bill Gates not rightly writes well Chad if I was talking to your friend. The first thing I would do is I would go to the book of first John and first John chapter 4 is a lesson what John says. Here's his beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world by this you know the spirit of God.

Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.

This is the spirit of the antichrist.

This is the spirit of the antichrist Genesis, which you have heard was coming and now is in the world already. The spirit of the antichrist.

I would say has been at work since the days of the apostles and what is it to the spirit of the antichrist is trying to do in the world today is pretty antichrist trying to direct people away from Jesus from who he is and what he's accomplished for us.

It will do that anyway they can write you a confusion about the person of Christ confusion about the work of Christ. The redemptive work that he's accomplished and so the first thing to note it to note is that this pretty antichrist is been at work for the last 2000 years now. The Bible does seem to indicate that there's going to be a particular individual, one individual referred to in places like second Thessalonians chapter 2 as this this man of lawlessness who leaves this rebellion. This apostasy against the truth of God's word but but I think it's not really helpful for us to speculate about that individual.

Our focus should not be who is the antichrist were playing the sort of guessing game and and no doubt throughout the history of the church there been a number of individuals who have who have been considered to know by by Christians and by the church so I would think that that's the antichrist. Well, I think, rather than focusing on the identity of the antichrist is that this person is it that person or thing is better to say, look, we know that the spirit of the antichrist is already been at work, so we need to make sure that we are fixed. Our eyes are fixed on the true Christ, according to what Scripture says nowhere in the Bible are we called to to try to figure out who the antichrist is were called to is to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ and so would individuals is consumed by you, trying to figure out that the end times prophecies in the antichrist and who is that person Absalom take a step back. Let's direct focus not on the antichrist.

Other spare Scripture about that and then it's important for us to to unpack that. But we are called. You are called to set your eyes on Jesus on Christ crucified for you placarded before you. As Paul says in Galatians chapter 3 verses one and following answer just just as a way of encouragement, I'd say look, it's okay. Look at those passages you know first John chapter 4 second Thessalonians chapter 2 to be vigilant to be aware of the tactics of the evil one and as were were more and more aware. I think were enabled to to pursue God like we should do his word and that's that's precisely what God wants for you, Chad, and also for your friend to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Christ and so biggest speculation is the antichrist could be Bill Gates I can. I think it is better that do not speculate like that and to focus on Christ through the Scriptures and ultimately it's with her eyes fixed on Jesus that were kept safe and in in in the midst of all the things that are going on around us.

It's a focus on Jesus.

That is the most helpful for you and for your friend Chad thanks so much for your call. Thanks for being a regular listener. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and with Easter coming up this weekend we have a wonderful book that we want to tell you about yeah I'm I'm excited about this resource today were offering the book captivated me, holding the mystery of Jesus's death and resurrection by the BD on you bully anarchic in our culture we are taught that were basically like Martha's.

It's really me and Martha loses character and in the Gospels we busy ourselves with doing lots of spiritual things. We worry about the cultures impact on the church and everything is screaming for attention. As we scroll through social media. In this book captivated Pastor at the Beatty helps us to stop and ask how would our friendship with Jesus in our familiarity with his ways be deepened. If we look long at his nail scarred hands for us that if we really asked and contemplated with Paul. Oh death where is your sting with with Easter here.

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The core we do receive emails here at core Christianity are always welcome to email us your questions and here's our email addresses questions at core, Christianity.com and a rehearsal email from Chelsea she says my question is concerning baptism. I was baptized as a child. When my mom was baptized in a reformed church I was raised with and believe in the covenantal views of baptism. I'm now married and attend a Baptist church with my husband in order for me to become a member of that church.

I must be rebaptized and it must also be by submission submersion. While I agree with believers baptism when someone becomes a believer. I also believe that my baptism as a child was a sign and seal of God's covenant promises to me is it wrong to be rebaptized so I can become a member of my church. They are a Bible believing expository preaching gospel centered church.

I'm so thankful for the leadership and family there hi Chelsea thank you for that question.

It sounds like you me know you here in this you have this dilemma your ear in a good church but it's it sounds like maybe there are some theological differences here between what your convictions are and what the church teaches your baptized as an infant. Now I know that there the there's debate about this specifically in the church today than there has been for for some time now.

I would say what is baptism.

Baptism is use the language of sign and seal right, it's a sign of the gospel in the seal of God's goodness is Grace's goodwill towards his people. It's it's one of the ways I would say that God communicates his his goodness to his people and I on the basis of Scripture think that baptism is rightly administered to the children of believers just like circumcision under the old covenant and the old covenant that Abraham was commanded to circumcise the infants in his household. It was this sign and seal. Paul says in in Romans chapter 4 verse 11 of the righteousness that is by faith is a similarly to baptism, this, this picture of the gospel the righteousness that is by faith in Abraham was commanded to give that to his infant children and so do we.

Under the new covenant. I believe as Christians apply the sign of baptism to our children. This is why in the book of acts you have that built the language of household baptisms. For example, but not everyone agrees with this and it took me a while to to come to this conclusion as well, in and of course this is not something that would cause us to look at me and other believers is a will. You must not be a Christian because you think differently than I do on baptism but it's not an insignificant thing. Now if you have been truly baptized according to God's holy word and I believe that you have been you can't be baptized again. There's only one baptism, and, and so I would be very much against going through this other thing because I think you've already been baptized, but that raises all sorts of questions because of the church says you can't be a member here in less you do it our way will then you have to ask yourself you know it.

Do I really believe that I have been baptism. If I have that I shouldn't try to do this thing again.

God has already spoken once in my baptism is not something that that I need to go and try to do a second time. I couldn't have already been baptized in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit or do you maybe believe in line with what this church teaches that that your initial baptism wasn't valid and it sounds like that's not the case and so part of me thinks you know, sometimes there are churches.

It will be accommodating and say well you know even though we differ on baptism we want to accept you as a member here, it sounds like this church is not willing to do that and so you have it you have a difficult decision to make. You do want to be a member of whatever church it is that you're part of, I think that too many times today focal just go to a church and and never committed to being a member never get plugged in in that when I think membership is important for a church and so you have to ask yourself together with your family knows is this a church where we could be members, but I would say you know don't don't don't let go of your your convictions or biblical convictions. I would say just so that you could become a member at that church that think you have been baptized and and if they're willing to accept that baptism and let you be a member, then I would say okay, great.

If not then I think you have a tough decision to make Chelsea thanks or give us a call and grateful for for your question Less the score Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez. Our phone lines are open were taking your questions about the Bible or the Christian life for the next 56 minutes or so if you want to give us a call.

Here's the number it's 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 course you can always leave of leave us a voicemail. If you have a question as well. Let's go to Ivana in Odette Minnesota DeBono, what's your question for atrial.

I can hear you say Alan your own answer trips or ERA will I can turn on at their church we are affiliated with UCP on anyway. The Scripture reading John 21 to 19 what he had. There is where I would read a little that and then I would go into explanation on why it mattered that Mary was the first to lament why it mattered that it was dark and why it mattered that the punch bowl, lay back Scripture and meant it mattered that the inlet guard and why I'm reading it. I just feel like you lose all glory heat the whole point is markup Bible study something that should be addressed outside of their really haven't it out trouble. I reached out to the Council and an iPad them all kind of felt the same. I have just read the Scripture in my story story and court. There you have other people and I get what I am afraid it would end some people on what the true meaning of Easter and I'm not well I mean it sounds like some conversations are in order. You know I the reality is the word of God. Does the work of God oftentimes really we need to add to it. Our own sort of explanations but was often, God uses his word to convict to build individuals up in faith and so I guess part of me thinks rightly one movie what what are they telling you that you need to say it seems sort of strange to me and frankly there's a lot of weird things that people will say around Easter time. Oftentimes, I think minimizing the most important thing which is the fact that Christ rose again bodily from the dead, conquering death and sin. That's the central message and it's it's right there in the text of Scripture, certainly there in the passage of of John's gospel that you mentioned, but you you shouldn't do anything that you're not comfortable with doing it certainly shouldn't say anything that you wouldn't be comfortable with saying I think what with regard to Scripture readings in the context of the worship service, we should just stick to the text. This is what we do and in the church that I pastor you know we have Old Testament readings New Testament readings. Of course you know when I when I preach a passage of Scripture. III unpack that text text posit that text of Scripture but but sometimes it's just unhelpful to try to do that every little moment throughout the liturgy or things like that the Scripture speak and and so I would say a bit, but just practical advice and in you and your contacts in your situation where you're at in that church you spoke in the Celts.

I would say if it's something that you don't want to do makes you uncomfortable, then don't do it just am not at all read the passage but I'm not gonna do all this other stuff and and you shouldn't certainly shouldn't be forced to do those other things and so yet Ivana got God bless you and may the Lord bless you and in this upcoming celebration. You know, as we as we meditate on it and rejoice in the fact that Jesus has conquered death, and so God bless your listing to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez. Let's go to Robert calling in from Kansas. Robert, what's your question. Doing well Marquart what about the rapture of our summary. About 100 or recreated for profit start now but I'll be there. Their differences of opinion on this or time of the end times and there are some people to think that there will be a rapture of the church that is believers snatched away into the presence of the Lord, and that after that rapture takes place stairs. Of worldwide evangelization. The nation of Israel ethnic Israel is converted like they would say Paul talks about in Romans chapter 11, then you have the revelation of the anticrisis unit. Of great tribulation and then the second coming, so that you have essentially two comings of Jesus Christ, you have the rapture of the church of Christ coming back for his church alone and then you have the second coming of Jesus. Now i.e. I don't buy that limited. Again, I'm not. I'm not knocking people who do I know there are many faithful Christians who believe in the authority of Scripture, who embrace that view really is not of you that was prevalent throughout the history of the church. It's more of a novel view in the Christian church but but my sense is that when you read the pertinent passages in places like first Thessalonians chapter 4 that when Paul is talking about the coming of the Lord he's talking about one coming the second coming of Jesus Christ and so I think were looking forward to Robert, is the fact that Jesus is coming to judge the world and when he comes, you have the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead to life of the world to come, but that his his second coming is final to me is not can be preceded by another coming of Christ. What people refer to as the rapture and so there are different views there, but I would encourage you to to open up first Thessalonians chapter 4 to read through that passage of Scripture not to think about the other text that focus on the coming of the Lord places like Matthew chapter 24 dig into those texts and may the Lord give you guidance as you do.

By the way, we have a great Bible study the book of Revelation.

You can find that by going to core Christianity.com/revelation that's core Christianity.com/Revelation got a quick email question for you here Israel and this one comes from Butch. She says when Jesus came to this world and was born human. Did he have all his power and wisdom at birth or as he grew and matured his wisdom and power grow as well and it puts really a complex question, getting in the Christology here at the end of the broadcaster are passages of Scripture that talk about Jesus growing in particular in the book of Hebrews, but we need understand that when Jesus came the word made flesh.

He didn't set aside his divinity is intangible will talk like that. This is the divine person, God the son, who assumed humanity for us and for our salvation. Not everything he did, he did by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But that's not because he wasn't God himself. He never ceased to be what he always was. And yet at the same time he assumed human nature for us for our salvation.

Butch and so when Jesus came into the world. He did have all of his divine power still and yet he was veiled in humanity in weakness for us. God bless. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us.

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