God specified that the Sabbath was to be remembered and kept holy.  “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. . . . For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.” (Exodus 20:9, 11).  The Hebrew word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word “rested” (cf. Genesis 2:2).  God did not establish a law regarding the keeping of Sabbath until after delivering Israel from Egyptian slavery.  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were not commanded to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.  Israelites, though, were accountable to observing the Sabbath as God commanded throughout their generations.  “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.  You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:3).

                Our Lord Jesus Christ was born under the Law of Moses (cf. Galatians 4:4).  Since He committed no sin, He did not transgress His Father’s laws but kept them, fulfilling all righteousness.  He remembered the Sabbath.  Jesus revealed that “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8).  Enemies of Christ desired to accuse Jesus of violating the Sabbath when He healed the sick on the holy seventh day, but miraculously granting rest from an infirmity was not a transgression of God’s law (cf. Luke 13:10-17). 

                The Old Covenant was made with Israel when they came out of Egypt, and the Ten Commandments were an intricate part of that covenant (cf. 1 Kings 8:21; 2 Chronicles 5:10; 6:11).  Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised to make a new covenant (31:31-32).  Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15), which is a better covenant established on better promises (8:6).  It was put into force after Christ’s death (9:16-17).  Therefore, God’s Sabbath law became obsolete when He made the New Covenant (cf. Hebrews 8:8-13).     

                The Holy Spirit guided the apostles of Christ into all truth (John 16:13).  They taught disciples to obey all that Jesus commanded.  No where in the New Testament are Christians commanded to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy because it belonged under the old covenant.  Sabbaths were “a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).

                The doctrine of Christ authorizes the observance of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, Sunday, not the seventh day of the week (Matthew 26:26-28; Acts 2:42; 20:7).  Religious people sometimes refer to worshipping on Sunday as the “Christians’ Sabbath,” but that it is incorrect.  The Sabbath was a day of solemn rest, which God commanded Israelites to observe on the seventh day of the week, Saturday.  Sunday is not a Sabbath for Christians.

                 The New Testament reveals God’s promise of a Sabbath rest of a different kind for Christians.  “There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” (Hebrews 4:9-10) [NASV]  The word “rest” or “Sabbath rest” in verse nine comes from a Greek word meaning “a Sabbath-keeping” [sabbatismos].  In the context of chapters three and four of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit contrasts the disobedient Israelites who did not enter the rest of the promised land from the people of God in Christ His Son who are promised a future rest of God.  The warning is to be careful not to make the same mistakes of unbelief and disobedience that Israelites of old made.  “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. . . . Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:1, 11).   Unlike the weekly Sabbath under the Law, the true rest and ceasing from works is yet to come for those who are in fellowship with the Father and the Son.  Saints are to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  Christians’ Sabbath is the heavenly rest when they are finally at home with the Lord in His presence forever.             

            Daniel prophesied about One like the Son of Man receiving authority when He would be presented to the Ancient of Days.  “And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all people, nations and men of every language might serve Him.” (Daniel 7:13-14)  God has exalted His Son Jesus “and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9-10).  He is “the Head over all rule and authority” (Cloossians 2:10).  He is preeminent in everything.

            Christ’s authority, though, is not separate and apart from His Father’s will.  He taught, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father” (Matthew 11:27).  John the baptist testified, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.  He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life” (John 3:35-36).  Jesus came seeking to do His Father’s will (John 5:30).  God the Father gave His seal of approval when He said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5).

 To Rule

            Jesus is in the position of one having power to rule.  He was raised from the dead to sit on the promised throne of David (Acts 2:30-31).  This transpired when He was exalted to God’s right hand (v. 33).  Thus, “God has made Him both Lord and Christ” (v. 36).  The Son of God is King, reigning now in heaven.  His authority to rule is also seen in regard to the church.  He is the Head of the church, which is His body (Colossians 1:18).  Because He is presently ruling, no earthly headquarters for His church, no centralization of His church and no ruling council of men for His church are needed.  In His gospel He has revealed His doctrine to establish, guide and govern His church.  Christians are commanded to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), meaning by His authority and according to His authority.  His standard of authority is found in the inspired New Testament.

 To Command

              Authority involves the power and right to give commands and to require obedience.  Does Jesus have the right and power to command you and me?  Of course, He does!  He is the Son of God.  “All things came into being by Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:3)  God chose to reveal Himself through the Son (Hebrews 1:2).  Salvation is in no other name.  Jesus revealed and taught those things that His Father told Him to speak (John 12:50).  The heavenly Father’s commandment is eternal life, and that life is in Jesus.  If we desire to obtain eternal life, then we must keep Christ’s commandments and words (John 14:15, 23).

 To Judge

            The individual in a position of authority, also, has the jurisdiction to make judgments regarding the actions of others.  “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:26-27)  Peter preached to Cornelius and his household that God appointed Jesus “as Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).  Paul preached that the world will be judged in righteousness through Jesus on a fixed day (Acts 17:31).  The authority of Jesus Christ is a matter of serious consideration because all men will appear “before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).  Are you living according to the authority of Christ?  Are you measuring yourself by His standard?  Or, are you living by your own personal guidelines that allow you selfish and sinful gratification?  Jesus is coming again, and He will judge impartially all of us by His rules.

          Deacons of the church are not the same group of spiritual men identified as elders and overseers who shepherd the congregation. Both overseers and deacons ministered in the church in Philippi (Phil. 1:1). The Holy Spirit guided Paul to instruct the evangelist Timothy to teach regarding the approved character overseers and deacons must possess prior to their appointments (1 Tim. 3:1-13). The differences in the required qualifications infer the distinctiveness of their roles. The apostle Peter directed elders to shepherd and to serve as overseers (I Pet. 5:1-2), NOT deacons. Deacons are not the elders, overseers or pastors of the church.

          Not every Christian may serve as a deacon to the church. The Lord has designated the level of spiritual maturity and familial leadership a man must have attained before being selected and accepting the privileged opportunity to become a special servant to the church (1 Tim. 3:8-13). A man’s character and relationships must be evaluated and held up against the Lord’s standard. The congregation must determine if he is blameless or without accusations regarding the Lord’s stipulations. We are not at liberty to change the church’s organization, which Christ the Head has authorized.

         Having met the Lord’s high standard, such men of faith are qualified to serve in the church in whatever area the church has need for their services. Their work must be defined and limited by what the Scriptures reveal the church is to be doing. If a particular matter is not an approved work of Christ’s church, then deacons ought not be assigned to devote themselves to those unauthorized tasks.

          Their work has spiritual implications. The required qualifications identify spiritual strengths. The thrust and focus of the church is spiritual. Therefore, their service is to assist and labor expediently in the spiritual well being of the members of the congregation. Yes, there will be physical tasks to be completed, but deacons’ responsibilities are much more than cleaning, repairing and maintaining the church’s real estate. Deacons are exemplary servants of Christ in the kingdom, who “obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith” when they have served well.

            As disciples of Christ sing and make melody in their hearts to their Lord, worship, which is focused upon and directed to the Lord, serves also to edify the assembly of disciples in Christ.  The spiritual communication that transpires in the sacrifice of praise of the One who called us out of darkness into light exhorts and encourages the worshippers.  The divine instruction to the churches to sing in their hearts to the Lord includes “speaking to one another” (Ephesians 5:19) and “teaching and admonishing one another” (Colossians 3:16).  God is to be reverenced, honored and exalted, but proper spiritual exaltations also steer the worshipper’s heart and mind to be set on things above.

            Christians are reminded that when they come together as a church all activities are to “be done for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26).  Edification literally denotes “the act of building,” which in the New Testament refers to “the promotion of spiritual growth.”  Nourishment is a necessity to healthy growth.  The spiritual food that truly edifies is the inspired word of God.  “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32).  “Desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow” (1 Peter 2:2).  Speak the truth in love that you “may grow up in all things” in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).  When members of the body of Christ are effectively doing their share to cause growth, the body edifies itself in love (4:16).

            Spiritual edification is done when Christians admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Admonition is “a putting in mind” through instruction and warning.  The singing of psalms and hymns uniquely achieves this divinely prescribed purpose.  Mechanical instruments of music do not speak, teach nor admonish.  Therefore, Christians are commanded to sing.  By singing spiritual songs, they are speaking and teaching one another.  But every member must supply and do his part by singing himself.  True worship is not a spectator’s event.  In reverence to God and with love for brethren, Christians lift up their voices together to admonish one another while praising the Almighty.        

            God has actually told us to whom we should listen and give heed.  In Luke 9 we are told that Jesus went up a mountain to pray, and while praying, His appearance changed (v. 29).  The Lord Jesus was transfigured.  Then Moses and Elijah appeared in glory to speak to Him about His upcoming death in Jerusalem (vs. 30-31).  When Peter, James and John woke up, they saw Jesus in glory with Moses and Elijah (v. 32).  As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter suggested that three tabernacles should be made for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (v. 33).  Who is to say that Peter’s idea was a bad suggestion?  While he was still talking, a cloud overshadowed them and God spoke, “This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!” (vs. 34-35).  Peter’s suggestion was NOT what God wanted.  Although Moses was the Mediator of the Law to Israel, and Elijah was a prophet of God, God did not desire for them to be honored with tabernacles.  God told the three apostles present at the transfiguration that they needed to listen and give heed to Jesus, His Son.

            “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Heb. 1:1-2).  God has not spoken to men in these last days in the same way He had previously.  Now He speaks to us through Jesus Christ the Son.  Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. . . . For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.  And I know that His command is everlasting life.  Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father as told Me, so I speak” (John 12:46, 49-50). 

            Everyone should listen to Jesus because He is preeminent.  “When He had by Himself purged our sins,” He “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things are created that are in heaven and that are on earth” (Col. 1:15-16).  He is above all thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities (Eph. 1:21).  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to God’s Son Jesus (Matt. 28:18).  Therefore, men ought to recognize the superiority of Jesus Christ who reigns on His heavenly throne.  That realization should motivate all of us to take heed to the gospel of Christ.

            Hebrews 1 points out that God did not say to any of the angels, “You are My Son, today I have begotten you. . . . I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son” (v. 5).  Nor did He tell them, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (v. 13).  Angels are simply ministering spirits.  Jesus is better than the angels and has received a more excellent name by inheritance because He is the Son (Heb. 1:4).  He is the eternal Word (John 1:1, 14).       

            When men understand the importance and necessity of listening to Jesus because He is the Son of God, then accepting the personal application becomes easier.  “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1).  Salvation was first spoken by the Lord and then confirmed by the Holy Spirit as the apostles and prophets of Christ preached the gospel (v. 3).  Today, we must give the more earnest heed to the inspired word of the Lord Jesus Christ because it is God’s final revelation of salvation and eternal life.  All men will be judged by the Lord’s word (John 12:48).

            John the apostle saw in a vision the Lamb of God before the heavenly throne.  He was worthy to open the scroll that was sealed with seven seals, which was in the right hand of God (Revelation 5:5).  The heavenly host fell down before the Lamb and sang.  They sang about His worthiness, power, honor and glory.  They worshipped Him (vs. 14).

            True worshippers of God worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).  Christians are a spiritual priesthood who “proclaim praises of Him who called” them into the light of Christ (I Peter 2:9).  They worship!  They worship the Father and the Son.  Thus, they “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God” (Hebrews 13:15). 

            Singing to the Lord in spirit and truth is spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God.  Christians are instructed in Paul’s epistles to sing to the Lord.  Disciples, who have filled themselves with the Spirit through the word of Christ dwelling richly in them, sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).  Voices in song are a natural product of hearts overflowing with reverence for God and joy in Christ.  All believers who truly love the Lord will gladly sing to their King and their Savior.  They understand the will of the Lord and are redeeming their time.  

            In an age where the individual's own gratification often takes precedence, sadly worship of God has become viewed by many as a religious experience aimed at personal happiness.  Most modern churches plan and perform worship to stir human emotions and to build up primarily the esteem of the individual.  Their religious activities are attributed to the Lord, but without serious consideration of what the will of the Lord is, or what the Lord’s commandments and words are (cf. Eph. 5:17; John 14:15, 24).  The commandment is to sing, but to whom?  To the Lord.  Worship ought to be done always to please God and to honor the Lord.  Spiritual songs that entertain men are vain worship.  Songs to the Lord are acceptable sacrifices when they are sung in truth and spirit, according to His expressed will and wisdom.    

                The Lord Jesus is man’s peace because He reconciles men “to God in one body through the cross” (Ephesians 2:16).  Sin alienates and leads to death.  Transgression and disobedience sever sinners from their Creator as enemies.  God in His great love and mercy provides the way by which believers may be reconciled and justified through the death of His Son (cf. Romans 5:10).  The restoring of fellowship with the Father and the Son is also a bringing together of the saved into the relationship of the one body of Christ.  Before the coming of Christ, Gentiles were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of promise” (Ephesians 2:12).  Now both Gentiles and Jews have the same access to God through the same message of peace in Christ.  The two are made one in the body of Christ.

                The body of Christ is the church (Ephesians 1:22, 23).  The church was built and purchased by Christ.  He is her Head and Savior.  No other person is the Head of the church but the Son of God.  Since Christ is not divided, there is one body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4).  Many different religious bodies do not form His one body.  When men do not submit fully to the authority of Christ the Head, they are not members of the one body of Christ.

                Jesus prayed about unity.  His petition was that believers may be one as the Father and the Son are one (John 17:20, 21).  This oneness is achieved when men believe in Christ through the inspired word.  Fellowship exists when believers abide in the doctrine of Christ (cf. John 8:31; II John 9).  His teaching is “the word of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:19).  By obeying the truth a believer is born again through the incorruptible word of God (I Peter 1:22, 23).  Division is the result of men elevating man’s teachings and traditions above the gospel of Christ.  The gospel is the message of peace that reconciles into the one true body of Christ.

            Some time ago a movement began in America known as the restoration and they adopted the slogan, “Where the Bible speaks we shall speak and where it is silent we shall be silent.”  Actually this was not a new idea, for Peter said the same thing in 1 Peter 4:11.  However, it was news to the people at that time; this was a new understanding of the nature of revelation.  If this principle was adopted it would change many things then practiced among religious people.  It would mean that they would confine their activities to what was authorized in the Bible.  It meant that they would give a ‘thus saith the Lord’ for all that they did or said.  No, not new, but news to most of the people.  Until this time people had pretty well done as they pleased.  They had acted without authority.  Up until this time, if the Bible did not say not to, they thought it was perfectly acceptable to do it, whatever it was. 

            For centuries, the denominations had done just anything that they desired to do.  The ‘thou shall nots’ of the New Testament are relatively few.  So, there was then, and is now, a variety of names by which denominations are called (the Bible doesn’t say ‘Thou shalt not’).  The acts of worship vary from denomination to denomination.  The means used for raising finances of these organizations are many.  The types of organization by which they are governed are diverse.  So the plea went out to confine ourselves to those things that are authorized.  Yet, some in this restoration were not long in returning to this thinking of their former days in the denominations of men.  This was especially true in the areas of music and “missions.”  However, once they relinquished the general principle they were not long in traveling the entire distance of digression.  They defended their practices with the cry, “But the Bible doesn’t say not to.”  So the age old question lingered on and it still remains; what is the nature of revelation?

            Today we are still constantly surrounded by the influences of the denominational world.  Individuals are affected by their successes in religious endeavors.  We are impressed by their buildings, suggesting that perhaps we should employ their methods and theories.  So some have begun to re-examine the old question, are we bound or free?  Do we actually need authority or is token authority enough?  Those who advocate the theory that we are free to do what is not expressly forbidden cry, “The Bible doesn’t say not to.”  Those who believe that they are limited to what is authorized cry, “Where is your authority?”  The decision made will affect the church in every area of faith and practice.

            Organization: Can we organize on a state or national level?  Can we have a regional headquarters? Can we have inter-congregational organization, sponsoring churches, world fair project?  Your answer, yes or no, depends upon what you believe to be the nature of God’s revelation.  Worship: Are we free or limited?  Work: Can the church work in the areas of recreation and education?  Are we free or limited?

            What does the Bible declare to be the nature of revelation?  Certainly the answer is contained in scriptures.  First, the nature of the revelation is such that it is complete.  I do not believe it necessary to elaborate upon this.  Just to refresh your memory you may read the following scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 1:3.

            Second, the nature of revelation provides a pattern.  There is a pattern in the New Covenant as there was a pattern in the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:5).  Paul told Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of sound words (2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:16).  In the light of these scriptures we know that the New Testament presents a pattern for the people of God.  What is the nature of a pattern?  We have patterns for dressmaking.  If one follows the pattern is he free to do whatever is not expressly forbidden, or is he limited to do only what is authorized?  You know as well as I that they can only do what is authorized if following the pattern.  If a contractor builds a building according to the blue print, is he free to do whatever is not expressly forbidden or is he bound by that which is authorized?  Does a pattern express liberty or limitation?  Do we do as we please or do we follow the authority strictly?  The nature of revelation provides such a pattern!

            Third, revelation calls for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Which of the two beliefs is more conducive to unity?  The one which says that we may do anything that is not expressly forbidden, or the one which says that we do only what is authorized?  If we go back to dressmaking or the building of buildings, and give out a pattern to several different people, tell them that they may do anything that is not expressly forbidden by the pattern; would the dresses turn out all alike?  Of course not, they would be as varied as the number of persons participating.  But give the pattern to the same number of people and tell them they are limited by that which is authorized in the pattern and when the product is finished, they would be all alike, if they all followed the pattern.  Which one is more conducive to unity?  Unity in the church can be maintained only if we limit our action to those things that are authorized.

            Fourth, the nature of revelation is such that man cannot direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23; Matthew 15:9).  If we do what we please then we are directing our own steps.  If we do that which is authorized in the gospel of Christ, we are following the steps of Christ.  The revelation of God, by its nature, demands that we be limited by that which is authorized!  We must be able to give a ‘thus saith the Lord.’

God the Father also made Christ Jesus “Head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22).  The church of Christ is the called-out body of saved people in Christ.  Jesus built the church (Matthew 16:18).  He purchased her with His blood (Acts 20:28).  Since the church is the body of believers of whom He is their Savior (Ephesians 5:23), rightfully Christ is the Head in the spiritual union and fellowship of the church.  As sole Head of the church, the Lord leads through sacrificial love.  He is concerned about the health of His spiritual bride, His church.  He sanctifies and cleanses “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church” (Ephesians 5:27).

 Headship is a chief position of authority, leadership given the power to command.  Just as there is one body (Ephesians 4:4), there is one Head of that body.  No other but Jesus alone has been put over all things.  The head governs and directs all activities of the body.  That is why the Lord commanded apostles to teach disciples “to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).  A true disciple of Christ is a believer who abides in Christ’s word (John 8:31), who keeps His commandments (14:15).  Having been given authority to execute judgment, too, Christ the Lord will judge us according to His word (12:48).  As pointed out by the apostle Peter, if judgment begins with God’s house, [which is the church (I Timothy 3:15)], “what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17).

 The church has been called to subject herself in everything to Christ.  The will and doctrine of Christ must be upheld and obeyed because He is the Head of the church.  To neglect to adhere to any of His teaching is to transgress against His authority.  His will ought never to be carelessly set aside.  To add unauthorized traditions, which are prevalent in denominations, is to exalt the wisdom of men above divine revelation.  By so doing irreverence is practiced.  Disregard for Christ’s Headship is manifested when churches rely on a system of church hierarchy, a board of directors or an association of representatives to govern.  Jesus has already ordained what is acceptable to Him.  All men will give an account to Christ. 

               A believer in Jesus puts on Christ when he is baptized into the Anointed One of God (cf. Galatians 3:27).  He cannot be saved without putting on Christ.  He cannot put on Christ without being baptized into Christ.  Thus a believer cannot be saved without being baptized into the Lord Jesus.  The Holy One of God, who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, determined that baptism is an important teaching and practice of His plan of salvation.

                According to Greek scholars, the transliterated words “baptize” or “baptism” come from a Greek word meaning “to dip, to immerse, to submerge.”  In the eighth chapter of Acts the conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer illustrates that definition.  After being taught concerning Jesus (vs. 35), the Ethiopian asked to be baptized.  Philip and the man “went down into the water, and he baptized him” (vs. 38).  The Lord’s baptism requires going down into the water.

                The apostle Paul asked, “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3).  Immersion in water in the name of the Lord is an immersion into the atoning and propitiatory death of God’s Son (cf. Romans 3:25), who is the Lamb of God who takes away sin (John 1:29).  Those who “have been united together in the likeness of His death” receive the hope of being in the likeness of the Lord’s resurrection (Romans 6:5).

                “Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” Romans 6:4).  Immersion in water is the God-ordained means by which a penitent believer is buried with Jesus into death.  Paul used similar wording in his epistle to the saints of Colosse – “buried with Him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12).  The old man of sin must be done away with, put to death, crucified with Jesus.  If we are determined to be crucified with Christ, then should we not be buried with Him, too?  The Lord grants us the privilege and opportunity to turn to Him by faith by being baptized for the remission of our sins (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16).