FROM HEAVEN OR FROM MEN?

Matt. 21:23-27

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. This is an attempt of the chief priests and elders to expose   
      Jesus to the multitudes as a fraud.
      1. Jesus had not come to them and asked permission to do what
         He was doing; thus, they wanted to expose him as a usurper
         of authority.
      2. The proposition of Jesus was a fair and simple one.
         a. If they are religious leaders, teachers of the Law, they
            should be able to fulfill one of the fundamental
            responsibilities of discerning between truth and error.
   B. They had come to expose Jesus as one without authority.
      However, they showed themselves to be wholly unworthy of
      authority themselves.
      1. They couldn't even answer a simple question about John's
         baptism.
      2. Thus, why would anyone want to listen to them?
   C. Jesus not only showed His great wisdom, but He raised a very
      vital question that needs to be asked regarding everything we
      teach and practice in religion.

I. LET'S TAKE TIME TO PONDER OUR LORD'S QUESTION.
   A. First of all, what determines whether or not something is from
      heaven?
      1. Is it determined by what a particular church teaches?
         a. The church does not make laws. It's duty is to follow
            the laws made by the Head. Eph. 1:22-23; 4:14-15
      2. Is "from heaven" determined by ecclesiastical councils,
         synods, conventions?
         a. The creeds which supposedly have been written to unite
            believers resulted only in dividing them.
            (1) If a creed is more than the Bible, it is condemned
                by those passages which say we are not to add to
                the Word.
            (2) If it is less than the Bible, it is condemned by     
                those verses which teach that we are not to take from
                the Bible
            (3) If it is exactly as the Bible (they all claim this), 
                it is not needed for it is already in the Bible.
      3. Is "from heaven" determined by one's own personal
         conscience? Jer. 10:23; Prov. 16:25
         a. What I "feel," about something, may be wrong. Jacob
            felt that his son was dead. Gen. 37:31-36
      4. Or, is "from heaven" determined by Christ and His Word?
         a. John 12:48; Matt. 28:18-20; Heb. 1:1-2; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2
            Tim. 3:16-17
            (1) Anything not in His Word is "from men" and will
                condemn. Matt. 15:9; Rom. 3:4; Col. 2:8,18; Titus
                1:13-14; 2 John 9

II. LET'S LIST SOME THINGS AND APPLY OUR LORD'S QUESTION.
   A. There are great multitudes of things in religion today which   
      need application to our Lord's simple question.
      1. Once there was a young preacher who had started a call-in
         radio program. At first, he was receiving no questions at   
         all.
      2. I thought I would give aid by sending him questions which
         he could answer at his convenience. His answers would
         benefit a general listening audience. (See list below).
      3. As I mentioned, there is much error being taught and
         practiced in our religious world today.
   B. In this study, let's confine our study simply to baptism.
      1. Infant baptism - From heaven or from men?
         a. A candidate for baptism must believe (Mark 16:16),
            repent (Acts 2:38); confess (Rom. 10:9), to wash away
            his sins (Acts 22:16). An infant can't do any of these.
         b. An infant does not have sin, for sin is transgression of
            law. 1 John 3:4
         c. We do not inherit the sin of our parents. Ezek. 18:20
      2. Sprinkling or pouring - From heaven or from men?
         a. The Greek word for "baptism" means "burial."
         b. The Scriptures state and demonstrate that it is a burial.
            Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:36-39
      3. Salvation before baptism - From heaven or from men?
         a. Some say that baptism is "An outward sign of an inward
            grace," "A symbol of your dedication," "A figure
            showing you are already saved."
         b. However, what did Peter say in Acts 2:38 and 1 Pet.
            3:21?
            (1) What Peter did not say: "You are already saved
                since you believed," "Pray through to be saved,"
                "Come to the prayer altar," "Accept Christ as your
                personal savior," "Just call on the name of the
                Lord," "Confess that God for Christ's sake has
                pardoned your sins."
      4. Membership into a denomination - From heaven or from
         men?
         a. Did my baptism put me into some denominational
            church? Did it put me into the Baptist, Methodist, or
            Christian church?
         b. Bible baptism puts one into the body of Christ. 1 Cor.
            12:13; Acts 2:41,47
         c. If one was baptized thinking it was putting him into
            some denominational church, he needs to be baptized
            again   even if he was baptized for remissions of sins.
      5. Baptism for the dead - From heaven or from men?
         a. The Mormon Church baptize themselves on behalf of
            some friend or relative who has died. Their supposed
            "proof text" is 1 Cor. 15:29
         b. The word "for" in 1 Cor. 15:29 is not "eis" as in Acts
            2:38, but "huper" meaning "in view of, with reference
            to, in behalf of."
         c. Thus, Paul is saying, "Why be baptized with reference to
            the dead, if there be no resurrection?" See Rom. 6:5
         d. The Mormon view contradicts other plain passages.
            Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10
      6. Holy Spirit baptism to be saved - From heaven or from men?
         a. Only one baptism is effective today. Eph. 4:5
         b. It was a promise and not a command to be obeyed.
            Luke 24:49
         c. Given for specific purposes. Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:4; 11:15-
            18
         d. Water baptism can be administered by man, whereas
            Holy Spirit baptism cannot. Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:38;
            10:48
      7. The penitent believer buried in water to obtain forgiveness 
         of sins - From heaven or from men? Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16

Concl.
   A. "Is it from heaven or from men?" What a great, vital, important
      question!
   B. Our Lord's question becomes one that must be raised regarding
      everything we teach and practice.
      1. If we subscribe to and engage in something not in the
         Scriptures, it is "from men" and thereby we stand
         condemned before God. Matt. 7:21-23.
         a. They were doing things for which there was no law, no
            authority. What they were doing had come from men,
            not heaven.
   C. If John's baptism was "from heaven," they should have obeyed   
      it. Luke 7:29-30
      1. Those baptized under John, vindicated (declared) God's
         justice (righteous requirements).
      2. Thus, John's baptism was a test as to whether one justified
         (accepted) or rejected the counsel of God.
      3. Those who rejected it injured their own souls - judged
         themselves unworthy of eternal life.
   D. If "the penitent believer is buried in water for remission of  
      his sins" is "from heaven," we need to obey it.
      1. How about you? Have you rendered obedience to the
         command to be baptized, a command which comes down
         from heaven?

Chart:
What Determines Whether Or Not Something Is "From Heaven"?

Is it determined by what a particular church teaches?

Is it determined by ecclesiastical councils, synods, conventions?

Is it determined by one's own personal conscience?

Or, is it determined by Christ and His Word?

Chart #2
Dear Sirs,

As you have opportunity, please answer any of the following questions
on your program:

1.  Is baptism essential to salvation?
2.  Is one saved before baptism or at the point of
    baptism?
3.  Does a man have to do anything to gain eternal life?
4.  What part does the physical heart plan in religion?
5.  Are men saved by faith only?
6.  To what extent are the Scriptures inspired of God?
7.  What is the "good confession" of 1 Tim. 6:12?
8.  According to the Scriptures, what must one do to be
    saved?
9.  What must one do to keep saved?
10. Does Eph. 2:8-9 contradict James 2:24?
11. Is the "Lord's day" the same as the Sabbath?
12. Are miracles still performed today like they were in
    the New Testament times?
13. When will Jesus come again?
14. Will good people of all churches be saved?
15. Are all denominational churches from God?
16. What is the true standard of authority in religion?
17. Is God a God of wrath, or of love only?
18. Can one be saved solely by prayer?
19. What religious name should we wear?
20. Does God accept sprinkling, pouring, and immersion
    as baptism?
21. Why doesn't the church of Christ use instruments of
    music in worship?
22. How is the church to raise its money?
23. Is it Scriptural for the church to provide recreation
    and entertainment?
24. Is "once saved always saved" taught in the Bible?
25. Are we still under the ten commandments?
26. How does a person become a Christian?
27. What does the Bible teach on marriage, divorce and
    remarriage?
28. How can I know that I am saved?
29. Can we understand the Bible alike?
30. Should infants be baptized?
31. What is the sin of "presumption" of Psalm 19:13?
32. Is punishment an effective means of eliminating
    undesirable behavior in children?
33. Does the "spirit" of a Christian sin, or is it simply the
    "body" that sins?
34. Does the Bible teach that there is a "hell" or it is
    "annihilation"?
35. How does one determine what is false or true in
    religion?
36. Is it right to pray to Mary the mother of Jesus or any
    other saint?
37. Does a person have to be baptized to be saved?
38. What did Paul mean by the statement, "For Christ
    sent me not to baptize...?
39. Can a person who is not a Christian receive
    forgiveness of sins by praying?
40. Does the Bible teach that one is predestinated to be
    saved or lost?
41. It is proper to call a man "reverend"?
42. Why are you folks always running everyone else
    down?
43. What did you mean when you mentioned,
    "undenominational Christianity"?
44. Wasn't the thief on the cross saved without baptism?
45. Was Paul the apostle a Sabbath-keeper?
46. Should one receive water baptism or Holy Spirit
    baptism to be saved?
47. Did all men become depraved in Adam's
    transgression?
48. Should one ever be baptized again?
49. Why isn't the church of Christ just another
    denomination?
50. What day is the Sabbath and what is its significance?
51. Where does one's spirit go when he dies?
52. Is the celebration of Christmas taught in the Bible?
53. Is Christ reigning as king over His kingdom now?
54. Will Christ began His reign and kingdom when He
    returns?
55. Does the Bible teach that Christ will reign on earth
    for a thousand years?
56. Does the Bible teach that one can fall from grace?
57. Does the Bible teach that there is but one true
    church?
58. Does the Bible show that one church is as good as
    another?
59. Can one just let his conscience be his guide?
60. Is one saved by grace without works?
61. Does the Bible teach that it is wrong to judge or
    criticize other religions?
62. Is the book of Mormon from God?
63. Does it matter what a person is or does religiously as
    long as he is sincere?
64. Is the Old Testament binding on us as law today?
65. Did the Catholics give us the Bible as they claim?
66. Can the church save you?
67. Did Alexander Campbell start the church of Christ?
68. Is the church of Christ a denomination?
69. Are denominations branches of the church
    established by Christ?
70. Is it right to be guided by feelings?
71. Does one become a Christian by accepting Christ or,
    are there others things involved?
72. Does the church of Christ have an earthly
    headquarters?
73. Is "doctrine" important?
74. Is "hell" only the grave?
75. Is salvation conditional?
76. By what will men be judged in the last day?
77. Is evolution at variance with the Bible?
78. How do we get faith?
79. Is Jesus Christ Deity or only an angel?
80. Should we be called "Jehovah's Witnesses"?
81. Can a Christian be a Mason?
82. Can a woman be a preacher or an elder?
83. Is our religious "name" important?
84. Should one "pray through" to be saved?
85. Must one be "God called" before he can preach the
    gospel?
86. Are works necessary to salvation?
87. Can goodness alone save one's soul?
88. Why do members of the church of Christ think they
    are the only ones saved?
89. Do babies inherit sin?
90. Do "Jehovah's Witnesses" have a soul?
91. Can a Christian be in the Gideon's Bible Society?
92. Are there three persons in the Godhead or only one?
93. Can a child of God so sin as to be finally lost?
94. What does the Bible teach about church discipline?
95. Does the Bible teach that marriage is for life?
96. Does moral goodness make one a Christian?
97. Does God require obedience (works) in order to be
    saved?
98. How many churches did Jesus build?
99. Why are there so many different churches in the
    world today?
100. Why is there so much religious division today?
101. Is the Bible responsible for all the division among
     religious people?
102. Is the Second Coming of Christ near?
103. What does "for" in Acts 2:38 mean?
104. What puts one into the church?
105. Must one be voted on to enter the church?
106. Can one actually speak in "tongues" today?
107. If one says that "baptism saves," isn't he teaching
     "water salvation"?
108. Is there any power in the water in baptism?
109. How can we determine who are really the true
     disciples of Christ today?
110. What does it mean to be just a Christian?
111. How often should the Lord's Supper be observed?
112. Is one required to go to church or can he simply
     worship God at home?
113. Does the Bible teach that we should tithe?
114. What does the Bible say about being gay?
115. What does the Bible teach regarding drunkenness and
     social drinking?
116. Is abortion right or wrong in the sight of God?
117. If one gets a lawful divorce from our court system,
     will God accept it?
118. Is it right for the church from its treasury to send to
     an Orphan's Home, College, or Missionary Society?
119. Was Peter a pope?

With Many Thanks,

An Anonymous Inquirer

Chart #3
FROM HEAVEN OR FROM MEN?

1. Infant baptism

2. Sprinkling or pouring

3. Salvation Before Baptism

4. Membership into a Denomination

5. Baptism for the Dead

6. Holy Spirit Baptism to be Saved

7. The Penitent Believer Buried in Water to Obtain Forgiveness of
   Sins