Today is Super Sunday Feb.3rd 2008.  It will be the Giants vs. the Patriots.  I guess I'm bound by my Corps connections to pull for Lightning’s team. If you watch real careful as the cameras span the stands, you'll probably see a sign that says John 3:16 with the game right during evening services.  I'm not for sure if you will see the other sign normally displayed by Christians during Sunday football games.  That sign is 1 Peter 3:21.   These two scriptures have become as much a battle cry for two different groups of believers as the two team colors and logos of the Giants and the Patriots.

 From the very beginning of the protestant movement in the early 1500 hundreds, before denominations were truly formed, when someone asked about the church you attended they wanted to know if it was baptise or anti-baptize.   In other words, did the church you attended teach that you had to be baptized (baptize) or did it teach you could be saved without being baptized (anti-baptize).  Then in 1608, out of the anti- baptize group, came a denomination that did not believe you had to be baptized to go to heaven, but the practice of baptism was an act of immersion. This group of people would call themselves Baptist to draw a clear distinction between them and the groups that practiced sprinkling. Thus, the creation of new identifiable denomination knows as the Baptist Church did nothing to resolve the age old argument about baptism.  It just cluttered up the waters.

John 3:16 has been the corner stone for those who have denied the need for some lost soul to surrender their life to Christ by washing away their sins in the blood of Christ in the watery grave of baptism. It never ceases to amaze me at what lengths some Christians will go to deny the simple truths of God's word. For example, each of the churches that claim you don't have to be baptized to go to heaven practice some kind of baptism and you will have accepted it and partaken of it or you will not be recognized as a member. Now, isn't it strange that they can lay baptism at the door of their church, but Christ can not?

The next thing that catches my eye is their choice of scripture for a cornerstone. Turn your Bible to John chapter 3. Hope you have a red letter edition.  It makes it easy to see that verse 16 is in the middle of a response given by the Lord to the question asked in verse 9.

Now, go to verse 1 &2.  Nicodemas is asking the Lord about eternal life. Verse 3, Jesus says you must be born again. Verse 4, How can this be?  Verse 5, Jesus make it clear that be is not talking about a physical birth, but one of the water and the Spirit.  He expounds on this a little more thru verses 6-8.  Then, verse 9, Nicodemas asks for more - how can these things be?  What things is Nicodemas asking about?  The only thing Jesus has been talking about is being born of the water and the spirit.  Jesus starts His answer in verse 10 and continues thru verse 21.  No other question is asked.  No other subject matter introduced.  So, verse 16 (John 3:16), used by many to prove you don't have to be baptized, is a part of an answer about being born again of the water and the spirit. Notice in verse 14, Jesus points out that before this could be done, as He has mandated that one must be, He must first be sacrificed on the cross. Now notice how His answer concludes, that is the righteous doeth truth. Verse 15-18 of today’s reading acknowledges that believers are saved.

So, let's sum up what John chapter 3:1-21 has taught us.  First, one must be born again of the water and the Spirit.  Second, Jesus is going to have to be sacrificed on that cross before this second birth can take place.  Third, that after God gives his Son that those who believe will be saved.  Fourth, the saved believer will come to God and do truth. So what in here says you don’t have to be baptized?  Nothing!  Nothing that I see now says you don’t have to be baptized.  On the other hand, Jesus said in Mark 16:15-16 “to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that beleiveth not shall be damned”. 1 Peter 1:22 " Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit" verse 23 " Being born again" Rom. 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into his death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Noticed that the new life in Christ came after baptism Remember in John where the Lord said you must be born again Now let's see what 1Pet 3:21 says “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth now also save us"

Remember, both scriptures are true and both are about baptism.  Don't be suckered in by the misuse of John 3:16.  Take your stand with those who acknowledge 1 Pet. 3:21 for just what it says. For those who take the stand will be the winners in the Day of Judgment. As for the winner today, pick who you want, but always remember you’re betting your soul on the proper understanding of the Scriptures. Chaplain Tex