What Does Galatians 2 Have To Say About Baptismal Preparation

Well Intentioned Dragons

I’ve been reading “Well Intentioned Dragons”, by Marshall Shelley, a book for pastors about dealing with difficult and critical members in the church.

In Chapter 4, “The Play For Power” he mentions Galatians 2.

“In Galatians 2, Paul describes his power struggle with some “false brothers” over the expectations laid on Gentiles who were converting to Christianity. His opponents, known as the circumcision party, demanded that new Christians be circumcised and meet Jewish lifestyle requirements before joining the Christian church. Paul insisted that faith is the only prerequisite. ”

This chapter of Galatians 2 is also likely related to Acts 15.

I wondered what relation this chapter might relate to the preparation of baptismal candidates who don't seem ready to accept the requirements of Adventist living. Do we allow them to be baptised on simple profession of faith in Jesus, are we making an error to require anything more of them?

The crux of the matter is expressed in Galatians chapter 2 verses 16-21

• 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by bfaith in Christ and not by the works of 1the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
• 17 “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? bMay it never be!
• 18 “For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.
• 19 “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.
• 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
• 21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

So the question in our context is:

• Are we making Sabbath keeping, or not living together, or any other test, a work of the law, like the Judaizers demanding circumcision of the gentiles before they could be accepted?

While nothing I found in this reading specifically addressed preparation for baptism, I think the key is the general sense of the EGW writings relating to this chapter.

The issue here isn’t keeping laws, it is the candidate’s surrender of their life to the Holy Spirit. Are we demanding perfection in slavish compliance with rules, or are we helping the candidate to develop a love of surrender to Jesus, and cultivation of a yearning to follow Jesus?

Simple knowledge that Jesus is Saviour won’t save anyone. It’s the personal surrender and personal grabbing hold of salvation by grace that is key.

Is the candidate realizing the issue in life is not just one of working out their own salvation, but also of having a responsibility in regards to their influence on others? Are they showing that they are intent on laying hold of Christ’s power to transform their lives, with an openness to be instructed, reproved, and convicted by the Scriptures advice on how to avoid Satan’s worldly snares?

I think it’s important for the Pastor to give an honest report of the candidates spiritual situation. Members shouldn’t be put in a position to vote into membership someone who is not showing a clear intent to live in accord with reasonable principles of right living.

When a candidate shows a willing disregard, or lack of caring about, clear standards for Adventist living, it should give concern about their readiness for baptism. If they are not willing to renounce the world, they appear to be following Satan’s desire that they should not truly surrender. EGW advises a more thorough preparation of our baptismal candidates, not a more hasty dash to the baptismal pool….

Certainly, an honest assessment that the candidate needs more time to prepare themselves shouldn’t be equated with rejection of the candidate. Those who put it in those terms are probably doing more harm than good by attempting to rush the candidate into membership with a remnant group that they haven’t really chosen to be a part of.

- Garnet

Some of the EGW references for Galatians 2

It is inappropriate for Christians in any age of the world [BEGIN P.145] to be lovers of pleasure, but how much more so now when the scenes of this earth’s history are so soon to close. Surely the foundation of your hope of everlasting life cannot be laid too sure. The welfare of your soul and your eternal happiness depend upon whether your foundation is built upon Christ. While others are panting after earthly enjoyments, be ye panting after the unmistakable assurance of the love of God, earnestly, fervently crying: Who will show me how to make my calling and election sure? One of the signs of the last days is, that professed Christians are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Deal truly with your own soul. Search carefully. How few, after a faithful examination, can look up to heaven and say: "I am not one of those thus described! I am not a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God!" How few can say: "I am dead to the world; the life I now live is by faith in the Son of God! My life is hid with Christ in God, and when He who is my life shall appear, then shall I also appear with Him in glory." The love and grace of God! Oh, precious grace! more valuable than fine gold. It elevates and ennobles the spirit beyond all other principles, and sets the affections upon heaven. While those around us may be vain and engaged in pleasure-seeking and folly, our conversation is in heaven, whence we look for the Saviour; the soul is reaching out after God for pardon and peace, for righteousness and true holiness. Converse with God and contemplation of things above transform the soul into the likeness of Christ. {2T 144.2}

Page. 443:

The good works of God’s people have a more powerful influence than words. By their virtuous life and unselfish acts the beholder is led to desire the same righteousness which produced so good fruit. He is charmed with that power from God which transforms selfish human beings into the divine image, and God is honored, His name glorified. But the Lord is [BEGIN P.444] dishonored and His cause reproached by His people’s being in bondage to the world. They are in friendship with the world, the enemies of God. Their only hope of salvation is to separate from the world and zealously maintain their separate, holy, and peculiar character Oh! why will not God’s people comply with the conditions laid down in His word? If they would do this they would not fail to realize the excellent blessings freely given of God to the humble and obedient. {2T 443.2}

4T 349:

Self is difficult to conquer. Human depravity in every form is not easily brought into subjection to the Spirit of Christ. But all should be impressed with the fact that unless this victory is gained through Christ, there is no hope for them. The victory can be gained; for nothing is impossible with God. By His assisting grace, all evil temper, all human depravity, may be overcome. Every Christian must learn of Christ, "who, when He was reviled, reviled not again." {4T 349.1}

The work before you is no light task, no child’s play. You have failed to go forward to perfection, but now you may begin anew. You may show by your life what the power and grace of God can do in transforming the natural man into a spiritual man in Christ Jesus. You may be overcomers if you will, in the name of Christ, take hold of the work decidedly. {4T 349.2}

Medical Ministry on Laying Our Budens at His Feet, pg. 202

The influence of the sanitarium family should be a united influence, each member seeking to become a power for good in that department in which he labors. If this result is obtained, there must first be a weeding out of every lame principle; then the workers can hope to succeed in perfecting themselves as Christian workers. It is only as they place themselves under the discipline of God, conforming their daily lives to the pattern that they have in the Saviour’s earthly life, that they can become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption that [BEGIN P.203] is in the world through lust. As long as we are here in this world, we are on test and trial. We will be held accountable not only for the working out of our own salvation, but for the influence for good or evil that we exert on other souls. {MM 202.3}

Testimonies for the Church 6T, pg. 91:

Baptism

Meaning of the Ordinance

[BEGIN P.91] The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two monumental pillars, one without and one within the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God. {6T 91.1}

Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, "The Lord our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6. {6T 91.2} Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing." And to them is fulfilled the promise: "I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18. {6T 91.3}

Preparation for Baptism

There is need of a more thorough preparation on the part of candidates for baptism. They are in need of more faithful instruction than has usually been given them. The principles of the Christian life should be made plain [BEGIN P.92] to those who have newly come to the truth. None can depend upon their profession of faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. We are not only to say, "I believe," but to practice the truth. It is by conformity to the will of God in our words, our deportment, our character, that we prove our connection with Him. Whenever one renounces sin, which is the transgression of the law, his life will be brought into conformity to the law, into perfect obedience. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The light of the word carefully studied, the voice of conscience, the strivings of the Spirit, produce in the heart genuine love for Christ, who gave Himself a whole sacrifice to redeem the whole person, body, soul, and spirit. And love is manifested in obedience. The line of demarcation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep His commandments, and those who love Him not and disregard His precepts. {6T 91.4}

Faithful Christian men and women should have an intense interest to bring the convicted soul to a correct knowledge of righteousness in Christ Jesus. If any have allowed the desire for selfish indulgence to become supreme in their life, the faithful believers should watch for these souls as they that must give an account. They must not neglect the faithful, tender, loving instruction so essential to the young converts that there may be no halfhearted work. The very first experience should be right. {6T 92.1}

Satan does not want anyone to see the necessity of an entire surrender to God. When the soul fails to make this surrender, sin is not forsaken; the appetites and passions are striving for the mastery; temptations confuse the conscience, so that true conversion does not take place. If all had a sense of the conflict which each soul must wage with satanic agencies that are seeking to ensnare, [BEGIN P.93] entice, and deceive, there would be much more diligent labor for those who are young in the faith. {6T 92.2}

These souls, left to themselves, are often tempted and do not discern the evil of the temptation. Let them feel that it is their privilege to solicit counsel. Let them seek the society of those who can help them. Through association with those who love and fear God they will receive strength. {6T 93.1}

Our conversation with these souls should be of a spiritual, encouraging character. The Lord marks the conflicts of every weak, doubting, struggling one, and He will help all who call upon Him. They will see heaven open before them, and angels of God descending and ascending the ladder of shining brightness which they are trying to climb. {6T 93.2}