"And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him" (Luke 7:29-30).
John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4). Those who refused that baptism are said to have "rejected the counsel of God against themselves." Paul said: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Paul had declared all the contents of the divine plan of God unto salvation.
Peter was preaching the counsel of God when he commanded those Jews in Acts chapter two: "Repent, and be baptized...for the remission of sins" (vs. 37-38). Those Pharisees and lawyers didn't believe they needed to be baptized for the remission of their sins. Many today teach that one is saved at the point of faith, therefore, baptism is not necessary for salvation!!
Note please what the Lord said about that group of Pharisees and lawyers, when they refused to be baptized. He said they "REJECTED THE COUNSEL OF GOD!!!"
On the other hand, those who were baptized are said to have "justified God." Through their actions, they were concurring that God is just and his commandments are not unreasonable. Many today question and reject the commands of God as though they are unreasonable.
Jesus commanded: "All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:18-20). Then He commanded: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..."(Mark 16:16). The counsel of God says: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
We read in I John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (I John 2: 4-5). To claim to know Jesus, but reject his commandment to be baptized "for the remission of sins," is to reject "the counsel of God," and the inspired John said that he, "is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
We must not be deceived into believing that baptism is not necessary for salvation, for we read in I Pet. 3:21, that "baptism doth also now save us." If baptism doesn't save us from our past sins, from what does it save us?
Jesus said: "Beware of false prophets. (Matt. 7:15). Then we read in verses 21-23, about those who were taught by false prophets: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day [judgment] Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." They had rejected the counsel of God!! They thought they were doing God's will, but they were lost!!!
"Am I therefore your enemy, because I tell you the truth" (Gal. 4:16)?
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet.4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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