[Biblemat] Bible Truths and Bible Questions Updates

[Don Martin]

Don Martin bringing you the update notices:

We are pleased to announce new material to both Bible Truths and Bible
Questions.

The new material for www.bibletruths.net is, "Scriptural Baptism for the
Remission of Sins" (see excerpt below).  Be aware that this is not a shallow
treatment of the subject.  We especially consider A. T. Robertson's
explanations as to "for" (eis) in Acts 2: 38 and his comments in view of the
absence of "for" in Acts 22: 16.  To read the article in full, enter through
the door on the home page and click on "Archives and Index" in the directory
on the Site Map page.  When on the Archives page, click on the letter "B."
Here is an excerpt from the article:

     "...The grammar of Matthew 26: 28 and Acts 2: 38 is essentially the
same.  Just as Jesus' blood looked forward (accusative case) and was not
shed "because of" (does not even make sense); so, baptism when preceded by
repentance is for remission of sins, again, the accusative having forward
action and not retroactive. (Note that repentance and baptism are coupled
(kai, "and") and both together, then, reach forth toward the remission or
forgiveness of sins; hence, to deny baptism in this role is also to
automatically deny repentance as having this role of reaching forward to
remission.  Since remission is seen as having occurred at the point in time
of scriptural baptism, baptism is the final act before remission is
obtained, or, put another way, baptism is the act in which remission is
secured.  All of this is said based on an accurate application of the Greek
grammar.  Statements such as found in Acts 10: 43 regarding belief and
remission do not pose a problem.  I say this because the serious Bible
student understands that "belief" in such verses is comprehensively used to
stand for and include all the necessary particulars; initial belief,
repentance, confession of Jesus' deity, and baptism being the
particulars......"

The new Featured Question for www.biblequestions.org is, "Can you comment
on John 9?"  (Read below.).

We had our best week last week since we changed Website hosts and Internet
space and also the submit a question page.  We processed, answered, and did
any needed follow up work on about 90 questions.  We commend the men who
continue to answer questions that come to us through Bible Questions.  If
you would like to submit a question, simply go to Bible Questions and follow
the instructions.  Since we are engaged in a special series of meetings this
week with Chris Peltz, we will not re-open the submit page until Friday
(April 25).

    "Question:  Can you comment on John 9?

    Answer: John chapter nine devotes itself to one single event, the
healing of the blind man by the Lord. we shall break down the chapter into
three divisions: The various mentioned people, the miracle, and the blind
man and the Lord.

    The mentioned people. There are several mentioned groups of people
outside of the two principal people, Jesus and the blind man. Jesus,
disciples are only mentioned because of their mistaken belief (vss. 1, 2).
there is brief allusion to the blind man's parents (vss. 18-23). The parents
are presented as lacking conviction and very fearful. there were also the
Pharisees, Jesus' greatest enemies. They also labored under a false doctrine
(vs. 34). the Pharisees were sinfully accusing and stubborn (vss. 16, 24-27,
40). They rejected all evidence regarding the miracle (vss. 16, 18, 20).

    The healing of the blind man. Jesus' miracles shared a commonality -
they were undeniably miraculous in nature and effect. the miracle is
concisely stated in verses six and seven. The man was "blind from his birth"
(vs. 1, see vss. 8, 9, 19, 20). The simple facts were: he was born blind,
Jesus healed him, and now he had complete vision! Miracles had a purpose
(Jn. 20: 30,31; Mk. 16: 20)

    The blind man and the Lord. The healed man had no doubt regarding his
healing and the source (vss. 11, 30). He stood his ground with the Pharisees
(vss. 26-33). The man bravely defended Jesus and allowed his healing to
result also in his spiritual healing (vss. 33, 37, 38). Jesus received
worship - indicative of his Sonship (vs. 38). The Lord exposed false
doctrine and caused division (vss. 3, 16). Truly, Jesus is a prophet, of
God, and divine (vss. 17, 33, 38).

    John chapter nine, besides containing one of many of Jesus'
faith-producing miracles, gives us better insight into the love and nature
of Jesus."

Cordially,
Don Martin  dmartinbtbq at comcast.net

Check out our Web sites:  http://www.bibletruths.net
Ask and receive a Bible answer  http://www.biblequestions.org
Simply click on the URL to visit these sites.  You may print out the
material for teaching purposes, see the copyright provision on the home page
of Bible Truths.