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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
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Thoughts To Ponder

And he said to
them, "Into what
then were you
baptized?" ...

(Acts 19:3)

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

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   Bible Classes (9:30)

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Auburn, AL 36830
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Elders

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
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1653 Millbranch Drive,
Auburn, AL 36832

Cell:    (334) 703-0050
Home: (334) 826-3690


Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

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larryrouse@aubeacon.com


A Study of the Local Church
Wed. Night Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Download the outlines:
Lesson1 - Attitudes Towards Open Study and Resolving Differences
Lesson 2 - The Need to Find Bible Authority
Lesson 3 - The Local Church and the Individual Christian
Lesson 4 - The Work of a Local Church
Lesson 5 - The Organization of a Local Church
Lesson 6 - The Fellowship of a Christian

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Click Here to Hear:

A Friendly Discussion on Mormonism

Held at the University church of Christ -
February 17, 2011

 


Following the Footsteps of Jesus
Bible Class by Larry Rouse

Download the current outlines:
Lesson1 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Baptism
Lesson 2 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Praying
Lesson 3 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus in Teaching
Lesson4 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus to the Cross

Lesson 5 - Follow the Footsteps of Jesus to Heaven

Click Here for Audio and Other Files
 


Building a Biblical  Faith

College Class

 Click Here for Outlines, Audio and Other Files

 

A Study of Evangelism
(Studies in the Cross of Christ)
College Bible Class by Larry Rouse

 

A Study of the Life of Joseph



Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse

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Building a Biblical Home Bible Class Series

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Baptism Isn't For!  
 

by Lowell Blasingame

No religious topic generates more controversy than water baptism. The problem isn't that the Bible hasn't spoken clearly and plainly. The real cause for the difficulty is because so many have drawn conclusions from their own feelings and opinions without consulting the Bible to see what it says.

All religious people agree that baptism is a command but there are differences over who are subjects of the command and for what purpose it is to be obeyed. Maybe we can remove some of the difficulty if we approach the study of the topic from the negative standpoint and point out some of the things that baptism isn't for.

1. Baptism isn't for the untaught. Jesus told his disciples to go and teach all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). Teaching was to precede the baptizing and each case of conversion related in the book of Acts shows that persons were taught before they were baptized. Since baptism isn't for the untaught, it follows that babies and irresponsible persons are not subjects for baptism.

2. Baptism isn't for unbelievers. While Philip was teaching the eunuch, they came to a certain water and the eunuch asked what hindered him from being baptized. Philip's response was, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest" (Acts 8:35-37). Jesus placed believing before baptism (Mk. 16:16). Since baptism isn't for unbelievers, it isn't for atheists or agnostics.

3. Baptism isn't for the impenitent. Sometimes I hear people say, "If I thought one had to be baptized to be saved, I'd force that person to be baptized." But, wait, friend, you've missed a point in Bible teaching. One must repent before he is baptized (Acts 2:38) and if you were to compel one to be baptized who has not repented, you would have forced him to submit to an act that isn't for him.

4. Baptism isn't for saved people. I know that many think that one is first saved, then baptized as a symbol or sign of his salvation but I want you to read carefully the following passages of scripture and take note of where baptism is placed in relationship to the blessing that is promised in each of them.

a. Mk. 16:16 - Baptized—saved.

b. Acts 2:38 - Baptized—remission of sins.

c. Acts 22:16 - Baptized - washing away of sins.

In fact, in every passage of Scripture in which baptism and a word corresponding to forgiveness appears, baptism always comes before that word, never after it. There is but one conclusion that can possibly be drawn and that is baptism isn't for saved people.

5. Baptism isn't for Christians. Some talk about baptism being a "Christian rite" or the "Christian ordinance" of baptism. Baptism is a command so in this sense it is a rite or ordinance but it isn't one for a Christian to obey. Let me show you that this is so. One does not become a Christian before he enters Christ for it is in him that he becomes a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). But he does not into enter Christ until he is baptized into him (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27). Therefore, it follows that one is not baptized as a Christian, one already in Christ, but in order to get into that One in whom he becomes a Christian.

6. Baptism isn't for the sins of a child of God. Often when I point out that baptism is for the remission of sins, I am asked, "Does this mean that a child of God must be baptized each time that he sins?" The answer is, "No, baptism isn't for the sins of the child of God."

Look at a Bible example that proves this. In Samaria, Simon heard Philip's preaching and was baptized (Acts 8:13). Later, Simon sinned in trying to buy the power to impart miraculous gifts of the Spirit but he wasn't told to be baptized again. He was told to repent and pray that the thought of his heart might be forgiven (Acts 8:18-23). Baptism isn't a command given to children of God for remission of their sins.

7. Baptism wasn't for Old Testament Characters. "If Abraham, David and Moses were saved without baptism, does not that prove that I can be saved without it?" is another question that I have had asked. Again, the answer is, "No, Christ gave the command to baptize just before he returned to heaven." Old Testament characters who had lived and died before it was given were not subject to obeying it. The same is true of the thief on the cross. He had been dead more than forty days when Christ gave this command (Acts 1:1-3).

Baptism is a command now for us and we must obey Christ if we are to be saved (Heb. 5:9). It is for those who gladly receive the word (Acts 2:42) and show such by believing in Christ (Jn. 8:24), repenting of their sins (Lk. 13:3) and confessing their faith in him as the Son of God (Matt. 10:32-33). If you are willing to do this, baptism is for you. If you aren't willing to do this, baptism isn't for you!

Guardian of Truth - October 7, 1993

 

Other Articles by Lowell Blasingame

Cross-Centered Preaching
"By What Authority"
Rejecting the Reins

Are All Churches of Christ Alike?






 

Healing A Wounded Spirit

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - God is in Control
Lesson 2 - Choose to Make God's Thoughts Your Own
Lesson 3 - Do Not Flee From What is True
Lesson 4 - Put god in the Center of Your Life
Lesson 5 - Allow God's Wisdom to Heal Your Wound

Click For Audio

 


Studies by David Tant at the University church of Christ

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How to Study the Bible
College Class

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You are Invited to Hear
Dee Bowman of Pasadena, Texas

In a Series of Bible Lectures
August 21-24, Sunday - Wednesday
at the University church of Christ in Auburn, AL

 

For More Details Click Here

 


Messianic Prophecies in the Book of Isaiah
Adult Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - The Time and Reign of the Messiah
Lesson 2 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 42)
Lesson 3 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 49)
Lesson 4 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 50)
Lesson 5 - The Servant Songs (Isaiah 52-53)
Lesson 6 - The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7)

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Sermon Series on the Book of 1 John
by Robert Harkrider

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Hear Mark Broyles on "Marriage as God Designed It"

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A Study of Religious Beliefs

Wednesday Night College Bible Class

Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - Introduction and Approach
Lesson 2 - The Roman Catholic Church
Lesson 3 - An Overview of Islam
Lesson 4 - An Overview of Mormonism
Lesson 5 - An Overview of Pentecostalism
Lesson 6 - An Overview of Calvinism

 


Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

 

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here
 

 
 
 
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