Robert Mills
According to the census reports, there are thousands of “churches” in existence, and more are being added every day, so , which is the right one?
Don’t make the hopeless mistake of going “church hopping” to find one that appeals to yourself. That is a certain way to find the wrong one. Clearly, they are not in agreement on even the most basic doctrines and practices. However, Christ did not leave us without a guide.
Even as far back as the Ark, which God directed Noah to build exactly to his specifications, in order to preserve his chosen ones, there are hints. The ark was for the purpose of preserving the godly from destruction. After they had entered into it, God himself closed the door before he destroyed all that was outside its protection. The church has that same function.
God added more light when he told Moses just how to construct the Tabernacle, and later he did the same for the Temple to David. Every part had a direct counterpart in the church. First, the sacrifices had to be made at the altar. They represented the last final sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ for our sins. That had to happen before the church could come into being. Even then, only the priests could enter into it. Even they had to be purified and be cleansed through washing in the laver which stood outside. Before the Lord adds anyone to his church, they must be washed in the water and the Spirit, for Christians are a holy priesthood, a set apart people. (John 3:5) The Holy Place, where priests could then enter, had three items. The Lamp stand, the Table of Shewbread, and the Altar of Incense. Their counterparts in the church are represented by the Apostle’s Doctrine, the lamp, the table, representing the Lord’s Table, and the altar representing prayer to God. (Acts 2:42) The Holy of Holies, beyond the curtain, represented God. It was this dividing curtain that was torn from the top to the bottom, on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. (Matthew 27:51) The way into the presence of God is now open.
Shortly before this, Jesus had asked his apostles, “Who do men say that I am?” (Matthew 16:16-17, Mark 8:29) This continued thought determines that the church had not yet been established for he said, “I will build my church,” (Matthew 16:18) and it will continue until he returns for it.
The next reference to the church is in Acts 2:38, at Pentecost, of that year. There we read that people were born of water and the Spirit as had been foretold in John 3:5. (Acts 2:38, and that the Lord added to them those who were being saved, Acts 2:47.) Any “church” which began either before Matthew 16:18, or after Acts 2:47, a few weeks later, can not be the church Christ called, “My church.” Neither can any church with an earthly, denominational head. He alone, is the head of the church. His parting words, as he ascended back to his Father God, were instructions to the church. (Matthew 28:18-20, and Mark 16:15-16.)
We will find the right church only by looking in the right place, His word. Rest assured, all the others fall short. His church will bear the name of its head, trace itself back to that first Pentecost after he was resurrected and follow his instructions to teach and baptize believers.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
IS THE CHURCH A "BUILDING?"
Bob Mills
What you are really asking is, “Is the picture of a building used as a place of worship, a church?
The answer is the simplest of terms is, “No.” When the building owned by the church where we, as members, go to worship on Sunday mornings, was struck by a tornado and partly damaged one of the elders of the congregation was asked about it. His reply was something to the effect, “No, the box which houses the church was damaged. The church is fine.”
The Bible describes it in many ways, (Matthew 16:18) “ …upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” It is founded firmly on the fact of the divinity of Christ, the Son of God.
It is Christ who does the adding to it. (Acts 2:47), “And the Lord added to the church such as should be saved.” A better translation, than that in the King James Bible, would be, “were being saved.”
In Ephesians 5:23, we read, “… Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” He pictures church here as a body and a part of himself, the head. We are the individual parts, each with something to contribute to the whole. It is a living entity.
What you are really asking is, “Is the picture of a building used as a place of worship, a church?
The answer is the simplest of terms is, “No.” When the building owned by the church where we, as members, go to worship on Sunday mornings, was struck by a tornado and partly damaged one of the elders of the congregation was asked about it. His reply was something to the effect, “No, the box which houses the church was damaged. The church is fine.”
The Bible describes it in many ways, (Matthew 16:18) “ …upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” It is founded firmly on the fact of the divinity of Christ, the Son of God.
It is Christ who does the adding to it. (Acts 2:47), “And the Lord added to the church such as should be saved.” A better translation, than that in the King James Bible, would be, “were being saved.”
In Ephesians 5:23, we read, “… Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.” He pictures church here as a body and a part of himself, the head. We are the individual parts, each with something to contribute to the whole. It is a living entity.
WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO?
Bob Mills
q
Over the ages, mankind has associated the gaining of eternal life with the doing of good deeds. Rather than make changes in relationship with God and life style, the rich in this world’s goods often thinks in terms of money and opens a tax exempt foundation in their own name, or makes a tax exempt large donation to a college, charitable, or religious organization. Like the rich young man, who found to his sorrow that he could not buy eternal life. Admission, there, is not measured in material wealth, and all must be left behind at death.
The great wealth, in the graves of the rulers of past empires, if they have not been looted many years ago, bears witness that all was left behind. The typical burial of a deceased person today costs thousands, but accomplishes the very same result as the wrapping in a blanket and interment of a impoverished Zulu laborer.
This young man probably thought that he could make a large donation to this group of itinerant evangelists and they would promise him eternal life in heaven. After all they talked about life after death, and heaven, and they certainly had no money. Why not?
Matthew 19:16-22 (King James Version)
Let’s read the account from Matthew.
16. behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
youth up: what lack I yet?
21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and giv 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my e to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Jesus went right to the root of the matter. “Why callest thou me good?” After all, eternal life is not awarded for keeping the law, or even being honest with our neighbors. Yes, doing these things is a result of Christ in the lives of his followers, but, being saved is depends on a new relationship with Christ. He is our head, the Spirit dwells within us, scripture speaks of us putting on Christ.
Being a Christian is more than placing membership in a congregation of believers and being present in God’s house every Sunday. When we learn of Christ and change our goals and way of life, called repentance, confessing that Jesus is our Lord, and being obedient to him in baptism, it is these that change our relationship with Christ. Why do we do these things? Simply because he said to. If he is our Lord, we will not question that he asks. If he had asked that we make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and leave thousands of dollars there, most could not do that. No, his test of our motivation, is something that even the poorest of the poor can afford. Even the tithe is in proportion to income. It is a matter of heart. When you give yourself, you give all.
q
Over the ages, mankind has associated the gaining of eternal life with the doing of good deeds. Rather than make changes in relationship with God and life style, the rich in this world’s goods often thinks in terms of money and opens a tax exempt foundation in their own name, or makes a tax exempt large donation to a college, charitable, or religious organization. Like the rich young man, who found to his sorrow that he could not buy eternal life. Admission, there, is not measured in material wealth, and all must be left behind at death.
The great wealth, in the graves of the rulers of past empires, if they have not been looted many years ago, bears witness that all was left behind. The typical burial of a deceased person today costs thousands, but accomplishes the very same result as the wrapping in a blanket and interment of a impoverished Zulu laborer.
This young man probably thought that he could make a large donation to this group of itinerant evangelists and they would promise him eternal life in heaven. After all they talked about life after death, and heaven, and they certainly had no money. Why not?
Matthew 19:16-22 (King James Version)
Let’s read the account from Matthew.
16. behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
youth up: what lack I yet?
21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and giv 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my e to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Jesus went right to the root of the matter. “Why callest thou me good?” After all, eternal life is not awarded for keeping the law, or even being honest with our neighbors. Yes, doing these things is a result of Christ in the lives of his followers, but, being saved is depends on a new relationship with Christ. He is our head, the Spirit dwells within us, scripture speaks of us putting on Christ.
Being a Christian is more than placing membership in a congregation of believers and being present in God’s house every Sunday. When we learn of Christ and change our goals and way of life, called repentance, confessing that Jesus is our Lord, and being obedient to him in baptism, it is these that change our relationship with Christ. Why do we do these things? Simply because he said to. If he is our Lord, we will not question that he asks. If he had asked that we make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and leave thousands of dollars there, most could not do that. No, his test of our motivation, is something that even the poorest of the poor can afford. Even the tithe is in proportion to income. It is a matter of heart. When you give yourself, you give all.
WHERE IS JESUS NOW?
Bob Mills
Walking the streets of Jerusalem, it is clear where He was when certain events took place, but the tomb is, of course, empty. The natural question is “Where is He now?” The only place to find the certain answer is the Bible. Considering a few of the texts, it is clear where he was, where he went, and how he will return. Not when. God wants us to live, always in anticipation, always ready.
Mark 16:6 (King James Version)
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
John 14:3-4 (King James Version)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Luke 22:69-70 (King James Version)
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Mark 16:19 (King James Version)
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 1:3 (King James Version)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Acts 7:55-56 (King James Version)
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Revelation 22:20 (King James Version)
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Walking the streets of Jerusalem, it is clear where He was when certain events took place, but the tomb is, of course, empty. The natural question is “Where is He now?” The only place to find the certain answer is the Bible. Considering a few of the texts, it is clear where he was, where he went, and how he will return. Not when. God wants us to live, always in anticipation, always ready.
Mark 16:6 (King James Version)
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
John 14:3-4 (King James Version)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Luke 22:69-70 (King James Version)
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Mark 16:19 (King James Version)
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 1:3 (King James Version)
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Acts 7:55-56 (King James Version)
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Revelation 22:20 (King James Version)
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
IS JESUS REALLY COMING BACK TO EARTH?
Bob Mills
Question
Actually the Bible says so much that it is difficult to single out what to use in answer to your question, but I have chosen several from the Gospels, a few from The Letters, and finished with two from the book of Revelation.. There are more. Some of them deal with the purpose He is coming, and some with the time he is coming. We can read the signs that will lead up to when, but not be enabled to set the exact times or date. This encourages us to be ever ready, like the expectant mother who is advised to have a bag packed and handy as her time is drawing near. .
Matthew 24:42 (King James Version)
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:30 (King James Version)
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 25:31-46 (King James Version)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 12:37 (King James Version)
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Mark 13:32-37 (King James Version)
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Acts 1:11 (King James Version)
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
John 14:3 (King James Version)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (King James Version)
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelation 1:7 (King James Version)
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Acts 2:47 (King James Version)
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Revelation 20:15 (King James Version)
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Question
Actually the Bible says so much that it is difficult to single out what to use in answer to your question, but I have chosen several from the Gospels, a few from The Letters, and finished with two from the book of Revelation.. There are more. Some of them deal with the purpose He is coming, and some with the time he is coming. We can read the signs that will lead up to when, but not be enabled to set the exact times or date. This encourages us to be ever ready, like the expectant mother who is advised to have a bag packed and handy as her time is drawing near. .
Matthew 24:42 (King James Version)
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:30 (King James Version)
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 25:31-46 (King James Version)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 12:37 (King James Version)
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Mark 13:32-37 (King James Version)
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Acts 1:11 (King James Version)
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
John 14:3 (King James Version)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (King James Version)
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelation 1:7 (King James Version)
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Acts 2:47 (King James Version)
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Revelation 20:15 (King James Version)
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
WHAT DOES "CHRISTIAN WORKS" MEAN?
Bob Mills
“No man comes unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus’ made this statement to impress upon us that Salvation is not earned by good works. Good works are the result of being a Christian, not the way to attain God’s approval. The young man in (Matthew 19:16) realized that, though he had kept the law all of his adult life, something as still lacking. In fact he says as much when he says, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet ?” (Matthew 19:20) There are many like him.
Christian works is something we do because we are Christians; not the way to become Christians. Many, who make no pretence of being Christians, do charitable things. Their motivation, like that the rich young man, might be in hope of working out their own way to be saved. For them, the more people who see them, becomes a powerful motive.
Some have been taught that they are already Christians, because of some one else’s decision on their behalf when they were infants. In every example of baptism in scripture, a repentant believer asks for it to be done to him. No infant needs to repent. In fact, Jesus said of children, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) Baptism is not a work, it is an act of faith and obedience to Christ. It must be requested.
Works are something a believer does to or for another. In writing to Christians, James tells us, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) He also said, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves,” and, “What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works ? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14) “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works, show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
Yes, Christian works, are the product of being a Christian. One becomes a Christian when his faith is strong enough to produce his repentance from his old sin, and he is baptized to remove that sin, upon which he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, to help him to live a fruitful Christian life. (Acts 2:38) His works are the result of the Spirit’s guidance in fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18) and as the Spirit leads him.
The natural fruit of the Spirit is: (Galatians 5:22-25)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
“No man comes unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus’ made this statement to impress upon us that Salvation is not earned by good works. Good works are the result of being a Christian, not the way to attain God’s approval. The young man in (Matthew 19:16) realized that, though he had kept the law all of his adult life, something as still lacking. In fact he says as much when he says, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet ?” (Matthew 19:20) There are many like him.
Christian works is something we do because we are Christians; not the way to become Christians. Many, who make no pretence of being Christians, do charitable things. Their motivation, like that the rich young man, might be in hope of working out their own way to be saved. For them, the more people who see them, becomes a powerful motive.
Some have been taught that they are already Christians, because of some one else’s decision on their behalf when they were infants. In every example of baptism in scripture, a repentant believer asks for it to be done to him. No infant needs to repent. In fact, Jesus said of children, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) Baptism is not a work, it is an act of faith and obedience to Christ. It must be requested.
Works are something a believer does to or for another. In writing to Christians, James tells us, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) He also said, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves,” and, “What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not works ? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14) “Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works, show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)
Yes, Christian works, are the product of being a Christian. One becomes a Christian when his faith is strong enough to produce his repentance from his old sin, and he is baptized to remove that sin, upon which he receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, to help him to live a fruitful Christian life. (Acts 2:38) His works are the result of the Spirit’s guidance in fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18) and as the Spirit leads him.
The natural fruit of the Spirit is: (Galatians 5:22-25)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
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