Commentary on "Victory Over Sin"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 2: Sunday, August 8, 2010 - Grace Abounding

 

Overview

“By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.” (http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html)

 

Observations

I quoted the Adventist definition of baptism from the Fundamental Beliefs web page so as to ensure that I have their definition properly stated. Sunday’s lesson is in complete agreement with it.

Notice two key phrases.

“…our purpose to walk in newness of life.”

This is the Adventist interpretation of Romans 6:4 (NASB) – “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” However, Paul clearly equates newness of life with eternal life received in Jesus’ resurrection. It is not a statement of desired behavior.

“…evidence of repentance of sin.”

What is evidence of repentance of sin? This is Adventist-speak for accepting the Ten Commandments, and in particular showing up for church on Saturday. It represents their ongoing claim that good behavior must be visible. For example, you should stop smoking before you get baptized. A quick perusal of 1 Corinthians indicates that people Paul called saints still were involved in some pretty heinous behavior. Of course the heinous behavior was unacceptable, else Paul would not have written the letter, but these were saved people, not lost people.

“Paul shows that though sin has led to death, God’s grace through Jesus has defeated death and can give us eternal life” (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide; July, Aug, Sept, 2010,Page 78, emphasis added).

Can Jesus give us eternal life? If so, on what basis? If he can give it, can he also take it away?

This statement is nonsensical. Jesus has given us eternal life. Obviously, not everyone has accepted it, but that doesn’t make eternal life conditional on good behavior. You either have eternal life (the indwelling Holy Spirit, see Romans 8:9), or you don’t.

“We always must remember, too, that God’s grace abounds, even when we sin. If not, what hope would any of us have, even after being baptized?” (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide; July, Aug, Sept, 2010, Page 78, emphasis quoted).

I believe this statement actually goes farther than the official statement of belief stated above. This comes very close to claiming baptismal regeneration. I hope that’s not what the author intended.

 

Summary

1. The Adventist view of baptism is almost completely behavioral. Instead of following Paul’s analogy in Romans 6:1-14 where he contrasts death and life, Adventists contrast death and behavior.
2. They are making the exact same error Paul dealt with in Galatians. “This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3)

 

GO TO DAY 3

 

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Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 7

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 7

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 7

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