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 Do you know that the Bible doesn't say ANYWHERE that the reward of eternal life is in heaven?
What IS promised is a beautiful kingdom on this earth:
"You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Revelation 5:10
"The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." Daniel 2:44
"A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." John 5:29
"In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, 'Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob... The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isaiah 2:2-4
God's kingdom will be a place of happiness and peace.
In the book of Isaiah we read, "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom...they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God......Only the redeemed will walk there, they will enter zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Isaiah 35:1,2,9,10 but read the whole of the lovely chapter.
So the answer to your question has to be 'no' because no-one is going to heaven anyway. Regarding baptism being required for salvation, there is quite a lot written in the New Testament. Baptism became an important part of believing after Jesus Christ himself gave the instruction that it should be done.
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation., Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15,16.
The word "baptism" from the Greek 'baptizo' means 'to dip, to immerse', it is complete immersion in water.
Baptism is symbolic of taking part in Christ's death, hence the complete 'burial' in water, which in turn symbolically washes away our sins and enables us to start afresh. The apostle Paul wrote a very good message on this subject to the Romans which I suggest you read, Romans chapter 6, at least the first 10 verses. So basically, if we have not been fully immersed, then we have not taken part in Christ's death, or had our sins washed away.
In the New Testament, baptism is always accompanied by belief and repentance.So the point arises that baptism occurs as a result of belief.
Belief in what? In Mark 16:15,16 it says "Go into all the world and preach the good news (gospel) to all creation "
But Paul, when he wrote to the Galatians, ch3:8,9 said "The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you."
So belief in Jesus alone is not sufficient, belief involves God's whole plan which is summed up in the promises (the gospel or good news) given to Abraham.
The Bible answer to your question must be that baptism by immersion is essential to salvation, but it must be accompanied by belief in what God has told us in the whole of the Scriptures.
Just the act of baptism will not assure us salvation, it means that, in the analogy of the apostle Paul, we can start the race and we have to keep on working throughout our lives to ensure that we get the prize, eternal life.
Hebrews 3:14 tells us, "We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first".
James 1:12 reads, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
I suggest you read the article on our site "Heaven is not for you" as it discusses the subject more fully that I can here.
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Comments
Matthew 3:11
"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
"28:19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
It may well serve as an indicator to those around that you have accepted Jesus Christ, but that is not its primary function. The purpose of baptism is to associate ourselves with the death and resurrection of Jesus, and in this way receive remission of past sins.
“'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'” (Acts 22:16)
The baptism must be accompanied by an adequate knowledge in order to be effective. A eunuch encountered this when the evangelist Philip was motivated by God’s Spirit to preach the Gospel to him, as recorded in Acts 8.
“8:35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
37Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
38So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
This passage indicates that an understanding in Jesus concerning his teachings, his sacrificial offering, and his atonement provided for his followers, is necessary as a prelude to baptism. When a person seeks baptism in these days, we too must first check the extent and sincerity of their request, because baptism is a critical step in one’s life, and must be done correctly. Unlike the Spirit-lead Philip, we cannot do this as a ‘spur of the moment’ operation, but it could take a day or two to organise witnesses for the occasion of establishing that the person has a valid belief. The actual act of baptism may well be watched by a number of his/her friends and this may require a day or so to arrange. But all this should be reasonably accomplished as soon as possible.
As to a person dying in the interim period, we believe that our Father is a merciful Father who will judge according to the intent of our hearts. The intention of the deceased to have baptism would surely be recognised on that Day.
I like how you say "I believe" it don't matter what you believe of think its what the bible says BROTHER and you obviously have read Thur the bible about baptism look up what it means and read the book of acts for some understanding and find out what salvation is because it seems you dont see it clearly and most important ask the Lord for guidance and understanding not what YOU BELIEVE"
GOD BLESS
As a side note, "Jimmy" brought up a good point in mentioning that every time you see the word "baptism" in scripture, it does not always mean immersion IN WATER. Many times, especially by Paul, it means "immersion" or even "identify with". As "Mike" pointed out, Mt3:11 uses it to mean "immerse" and then goes on to clarify "with the Holy Spirit and fire" refering to immersing believers with the Spirit, and unbelievers with "fire"
As far as Romans 6, Paul is talking about being "identified" with Christ, which is done by trust in His saving grace, which is symbolized by an outward act of water baptism. Paul is really not refering to a religious ritual as much as he is teaching us about our identity with Christ, and how if we have "died to ourselves" (given our life to Him), and in that sense "died with Christ", we "shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his" R6:5
1cor12:13 "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
The baptism that Paul speaks of is the baptism of the Holy Spirit - freely given to those who believe. Reception of the Holy Spirit comes after one is "saved" not after water baptism.
In Acts10:44-48, the Gentiles receive an outpouring of the Spirit, praising God and speaking in tongues (things only believers can do). They are then baptized by Peter and the disciples BECAUSE they are believers and are therefore saved. They are not baptizing them in water in order that they may receive salvation, but that they may make an outward show of their commitment to Christ and be identified with this new community of believers.
Peace, brothers
Hi Iley.
Thanks for your comments.
Baptism is not an easy subject to explain in brief terms, and can be easily misunderstood.
Firstly, as you rightly point out: there were two forms of baptism mentioned in the New Testament.
One form was that of water baptism, and of this type there were actually two varieties. The first was that of John the Baptist carried out for the remission of sins, and the second variety was that of ‘burial’ and ‘resurrection’ in water in the name of Jesus.
The second form of baptism was Holy Spirit baptism.
The two forms are anticipated in the passage from Matthew 3. John told his disciples,
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11)
Now Jesus was not recorded as carrying out this feat at any time during his ministry. But it did happen soon after his ascension to heaven. We read of this in Acts 2.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they [the twelve apostles, previous verse] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1–4)
The word translated here as ‘tongues’ simply means [known] languages.
“When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” (Verse 6)
This ‘baptism’ is referred to in 1 Cor. 12:13 to which you refer. But following this chapter on the Spirit, Paul advises his audience in the next chapter:
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Cor. 13:8)
Love would continue on, but the gifts of the Spirit (represented by prophecies, tongues [languages] and knowledge) would cease to exist. This was proven to be true, for though the apostles received the Spirit from the ascended Jesus, and they in turn could pass on the Spirit by ‘the laying on of hands’, subsequent believers were unable to pass it on. The writings of the early ‘Church Fathers’ confirm this fact. What are claimed as ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ today, are entirely different to the language ability of the apostles, or in their work of raising the dead back to life. These gifts were given in order to establish the Church, and once this was underway, their need disappeared.
The need for water baptism is the same now as it was in the days of the apostles. By being baptised, one associates one’s self with Jesus’ death and resurrection—on e ‘puts on’ Jesus Christ.
“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom. 6:4)
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.… If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal 3:27,29)
These quotations show that Paul was referring to water baptism.
Water baptism itself doesn’t ‘save’ us, but it qualifies us for that promised inheritance through Abraham. Whether or not we get the end reward depends on our faithfulness to the commands of both the Father and the Son. Water baptism is an essential pre-requisite to lead us along that path to eternal life.
Jason
My friend, there is nothing that "qualifies" us for receiving the free gift of salvation. There is no "pre-requisite" to lead us into eternal life. It is faith (belief, trust) in Christ's finished work at the cross. God loved us while we were yet sinners. I fear you are confusing two very important things - JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION. We are Justified by Christ's blood - if we accept that payment on our behalf. That's the only "action" we have to take, is accepting. The Holy Spirit is then given to those who believe not only as a guide but as a promise of eternal life. Then begins the process of Sanctification, which is being faithful to the commands of The Father and The Son.(which include water baptism). Again, whether or not you are faithful in obedience does not put your eternal security at risk, because you are not being justified by your obedience, you are being justified by Christ's sacrifice. Yes, Christ will judge you (the believer) on your actions in this life, but it is not a judgment of salvation, only of an assesment of your work.(2Cor5:10) Your salvation is secure, because again it depends on Christ, not you or anything you could possibly do.
As for R6:4, (and 1Cor 12:13, and Gal3:27,29) You can see how Paul like to use the term "baptism" to refer to being united with Christ. But it's a spiritual baptism, with water baptism being a public attestation to an accomplished spiritual work. The two ( a public display and an actual spiritual regeneration) are so closely linked that I think Paul uses them pretty interchangeably , but i don't think he ever implied that being physically immersed in water could regenerate you spiritually. Only God can do that, and he does it through your faith in Christ.
I hate to open another can of worms, but to answer the original question in this thread, believers in Christ DO go to heaven, because Christ is there, and when we leave this body we go to be with Christ.(2Cor5:1) I don't think the concept of a "soul sleep" can be found in the bible.
Heaven is where we go until God sets up his new kingdom on earth, until the Grand Resurrection spoken of in Dan12, Isaiah2 and John5. When unbelievers die they reside in "hell"(Hades, Sheol, the grave) until the Resurrection/Final Judgement. Jn5:28-29 "an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" Those that "do good" refer to those who have been made righteous through Christ, since we can do no real "good" without God's Spirit. Those that have ultimately rejected Christ will eventually be thrown into "Hell" (Gehenna) along with Satan and his demons.
I've struggled with all the eschatology stuff for a while, but I do believe the above is what the Bible says on the matter. You're right, the focus is on God's coming Kingdom, not some Heaven where we sit around playing harps, but that doesn't mean that there ISN'T a heaven, or that we don't go there when we die. After all, in the end there will be a NEW heaven and a NEW earth.
Hi Iley
Our salvation is a free gift from Jesus, but that doesn’t mean that all people qualify. In human terms, we give gifts to people because they have pleased us, or performed well for us, in some certain way—we don’t give gifts to a complete stranger in the street.
You claim that whether or not you are faithful in obedience does not put your eternal security at risk. If salvation was as simple and absolutely assured as you claim, how do you account for Jesus’ warning that access to the Kingdom is severely restricted and dependent on one’s personal effort? Read Luke 13:23–24.
What about the passages that stress the need for continued good works during our life, such as 2 Peter 1:10–11?
Why would Peter write this if salvation was already guaranteed?
Similar sentiment is expressed in Heb 3:6; Heb 4:11; 2 Peter 3:14; 2 Cor 5:9; 2 Cor 10:18; 2 Tim 2:15. Why did Jesus judge each of the Seven Churches on personal works, if one’s actions have no influence on one’s reward? (Rev 2:2; 2:9; 2:13; 2:19; 3:1; 3:8; 3:15) He clearly stated that their works would determine their salvation. (Rev 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21). Yet they had each taken on Jesus Christ as their Saviour!
You say that the judgment of Jesus will merely assess our work, but will not affect one’s salvation. What then of Jesus’ words that those who flunk judgment (based on one’s works as the full passage shows) will be destroyed? (Matt. 25:31-46)
There are only two options available:
• Be accepted by Jesus and be given immortality
• Be rejected by Jesus and being annihilated.
There is no half-way measure: either you’re granted eternal life or you’re not. Of what possible use therefore would a judgment on one’s life’s actions be if it was not going to influence this decision? Where is the logic of enjoying life in ‘heaven’ with Jesus, only to have to return to earth at a future time to see whether or not you qualified to ‘go to heaven’ in the first place?
On the matter of baptism, its importance is demonstrated with the incident of Philip and the eunuch (Acts 8:36,38). See also Matt. 3:15; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 10:48; 22:16; and 1 Peter 3:21. So baptism is clearly essential. For the reason read Romans 6:3–4.
Paul is here undeniably referring to water baptism. You are correct in saying that baptism achieves nothing physically, but it does spiritually — it removes our past sins. This is demonstrated with Philip and the eunuch in Acts 22:16.
Isn’t this much stronger than a mere implication that the baptismal water can regenerate us spiritually?
Yes, you’ve opened another can of worms! The Bible definitely speaks of the unconsciousness of a dead person.
Psa 6:5 “For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?”
See also Psalm 115:16-18; Psalm 30:9; Psalm 88:10.
Ecc 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
See also Isaiah 38:18.
For a disciple, death is not a “perishing” but a “sleep”.
John 11:11 “After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
If Lazarus had gone to heaven when he died, then Jesus knew nothing about it! To Jesus, Lazarus was simply ‘asleep’ in the tomb. See also Matt. 9:24; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13 for more passages where death is described as ‘sleep’.
The hope Paul mentions is not that the dead are currently in heaven, but that when Jesus returns the faithful that are dead will be resurrected – prior to that they are indeed ‘asleep’. To those who are raised, the intervening time is non-existent because they have been ‘asleep’. Therefore to them, the resurrection would be the first thing they know since the instant they died. Hence we can see why the Bible ‘telescopes’ this interval (up to several thousand years for some) into a “twinkling of an eye”. To a resurrected person, the time interval will be exactly that!
Regards,
Jason Young
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your question.
The passage you quote states:
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” [NIV]
I am well aware of this passage, but if you read it again carefully, you will see that it doesn’t refer to the kingdom in Heav en, but the kingdomof Heave n. There is a great deal of difference! You will also note in your reading of New Testament Scripture, that Matthew is the only writer in the New Testament that uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven”, and he uses it a surprising 32 times! Why is it, do you think, that the other Gospel writers (and the writers of Acts and the numerous letters) all fail to speak of a “kingdom of heaven”?
Mark, Luke and John each use the phrase “kingdom of God” in their equivalent place to that of Matthew. Consider for instance the parable of the mustard seed.
Matthew 13:31,32
“He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plant and becomes a tree….”
Mark 4:30,31
“Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.”
Luke 13:18,19
Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree…”
At the time of Jesus, it was considered an offence by the Jews to pronounce the name of God, as it was deemed too sacred. Matthew, in writing his Gospel to a Jewish audience generally used the word ‘heaven’ when referring to God as a means of avoiding offense. So when we read Matthew’s words we should substitute the word ‘God’ as a replacement for the word ‘heaven’.
And this brings us to the Matthew passage you quoted as proof of going to heaven. The kingdom of God is not a kingdom in God. It is of God, in that it is His kingdom—but it is not in Him.
This kingdom was foretold particularly lucidly by the prophet Daniel:
“Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.” Daniel 7:27; see also Daniel 2:44
That is God’s kingdom of which the New Testament writers each refer.
Jason Young
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