Baptism, Being Called

Answer: Two scriptures can help clarify this question. In 1 Corinthians 2:10 Paul explains that God reveals things to us via His Spirit and Acts 2:38 says, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

These scriptures tell us that God reveals things to us (His way of life) prior to baptism via His Spirit but we actually receive it after being baptized. Put another way, God's Spirit works with us prior to baptism and becomes part of us (dwelling within us) after we are baptized.

Answer: After hearing the apostle Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, many people asked him what they should do. He answered, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (verses 38-39).

In this passage, we see that God calls people to Himself, expecting them to repent and be baptized in order to become part of His family. Realizing that people cannot come to God until they are called (John 6:44), we naturally wonder about the children of those God calls. The passage in Acts 2:39 answers this question. Children of those whom God calls are also extended the promise of receiving the Holy Spirit if they repent. Because this calling, or invitation to have a relationship with God, is offered to these children, they are called "holy" in 1 Corinthians 7:14.

Of course, young people must choose to respond to the calling they receive through their parents. God will not force anyone to respond. If you'd like to study this subject in greater depth, we suggest you read the United Church of God study paper, "Are Our Children Called Now?" It's available at http://www.ucg.org/papers/index.htm.

Answer: Because God wants us to have lasting marriages and because long-lasting marriages bring the greatest happiness, it is important for us to choose carefully whom we marry. The principle of not being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14), is vital in this regard. While the passage in 2 Corinthians is specifically discussing the contrast between Christ and idols, the principle is likewise applicable to marriage. Marrying someone who shares our religious values provides a very important basis for compatibility.

Regarding baptism, we don't recommend baptism in order to get married. Baptism should be a separate, personal decision one makes because he or she wants to honor God and enter into a covenant with Him. Baptism is the most important covenant we make in this human life. Marriage is likewise a very important covenant, but still not as important as our relationship with God.

Given this perspective, our recommendation is that people seek baptism prior to marriage. Sometimes, as young people consider marriage, they are sobered by the importance of such a decision and, in the process, realize that baptism is also an important step they want to take. Under such circumstances, a minister will usually counsel people for baptism first and then counsel them for marriage.

When young people marry and later get baptized, we are pleased for them, but we wouldn't recommend this as the best course of action. If someone truly wants to obey God, this will include baptism, and the best chance for a happy marriage is to marry someone who likewise wants to fully obey God. While someone may have good intentions about getting baptized, it is also possible that he or she might not. If you are baptized, I'm sure you will want to marry someone who shares your convictions.

As you suggest, the real key is a person's attitude. Some may get baptized simply to marry another person. If they do, this is unethical, and this is why it is important to talk with a potential mate to see if he or she truly is spiritually compatible. What another person says about God and how he or she acts are usually good indicators of his or her true intentions.

Answer: Two scriptures indicating that we must believe on Christ are Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9. The former says, "So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household,'” and Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

To properly understand these scriptures, we must know what it means to believe. Some people minimize the word believe by defining it as simply knowing Christ exists when it really means trusting Him and living one's life to please Him. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words explains that the Greek word pisteuo (the Greek word found in both passages) means "'to believe,' also 'to be persuaded of,' and hence, 'to place confidence in, to trust,' signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence."

There is obviously more to receiving salvation than simply knowing Christ lived. While we cannot earn our salvation through good works because salvation is a gift from God (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9), God does expect those who come to Him to keep His commandments (John 14:15; Revelation 14:12) and do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Those who truly love God will do these things because they have dedicated their lives to Him (Galatians 2:20).

Answer: This passage can be understood two ways. One way is to assume that Jesus followers are expected to handle deadly snakes to prove to unbelievers that they are Christians. Another way to understand this passage is to be reassured that when Christians accidentally come in contact with poisonous snakes, God will miraculously protect them.

In looking at the subsequent history of the New Testament Church, the Bible records only the latter explanation—that if a true Christian accidentally picks up a poisonous snake and is even bitten by that snake, God can intervene to miraculously spare that persons life.

Such an experience happened to the apostle Paul. After being shipwrecked and escaping to the island of Malta, Paul was bitten by a deadly snake. The natives thought he would die, but God miraculously intervened and Paul was not harmed (Acts 28:1-6).

Additionally, the Bible tells us that we should not tempt God by deliberately placing ourselves in potential danger (Matthew 4:5, 7). Based on these scriptures, we can conclude that God does not want us to handle poisonous snakes today to prove we are Christians. We can also be assured that God continues to perform miracles in healing and protecting those who trust and believe in Him.