Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
I. Jesus’ birth and lineage are well documented; we even hear a short story from when He was 12 and separated from His parents, teaching in the temple. The conclusion of that account tells us, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). What about the in-between parts of time. Perhaps Jesus learned the carpentry trade from Joseph, His earthly father. Maybe He played the games of the day and made good friends. We read that Jesus increased in the favor of God and man.
II. Jesus’ earthly ministry began with baptism unto repentance (Mark 1). Saving faith requires belief and action. John required the Pharisees to show signs that they had truly repented. Repentance and baptism were not a new concept for the Jews, but when Jesus came “up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:” (Mark 1:10).
III. Immediately, Jesus began selecting disciples and performing miracles. In Mark chapter 6, Jesus makes a trip home. “And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:2-6).
IV. These fellow countrymen had not seen Jesus too long ago. What changed? Jesus was all man but also all God. The townspeople knew the man Jesus but rejected the Messiah Jesus. They liked watching Jesus physically grow among them, but witnessing this Spiritual growth was unacceptable. John’s baptism of repentance and subsequent Spirit falling on Jesus made an evident transformation that those from Nazareth acknowledged through their offense. Jesus could “do no mighty work” in this atmosphere.
V. We have grown up in our own belief systems; it is what we are accustomed to and where we are comfortable. However, saving faith challenges us to dig deeper and see the unseen. Saving faith has signs of living a life dedicated to God. When was the last time someone accused you of being a Christian?
VI. Christianity has little problem with repentance, even if it is in the form of a “sinner’s prayer.” Repentance is turning away from sin and toward the things that please God. Most Christians do not have a problem with baptism, although the methods vary. I would venture to say that most Christians claim to have the Holy Spirit in their hearts. A daily discipline of growing closer to God may help your faith grow by opening the scriptures and speaking into your life all of the possibilities and blessings God has in store for you. Looking beyond traditions (Mark 7:13), reading the Bible for ourselves, and seeking after God reveals the “things hoped for.”
VII. Historically, Baptism in the Bible is always performed by immersion in the name of Jesus. Jesus has all power (Matthew 28:18) and “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). Jesus died and was buried, “we are buried with him by baptism” (Romans 6:4). “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:5-11).
VIII. John 3:6 states, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Is this the difference Jesus’ childhood friends and neighbors witnessed? “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:9-11).
IX. This is life and death we are talking about here! How can we be sure God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us? When the Spirit was poured out for all flesh (see Joel 2) in Acts 2:4, it shows, “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Later, Peter witnesses others receiving the Holy Ghost; how did he know what he was seeing? “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” (Acts 10:46-47).
X. When we study the scriptures prayerfully and often, the Word opens up to us, and we can navigate the previously unseen. I want to be able to do mighty works for Christ (John 14:12). The Bible calls for repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. When we take the necessary steps and are obedient to God’s Word, there will be a difference in us that people take notice of. Saving faith brings a change in us, but also in those around us who choose to take that step toward salvation. Consider these things today, knowing that the all-powerful God loves you. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).