Must We Baptize?

Shortly after I came into this world nearly 56 years ago (tomorrow is my birthday), I was sprinkled as a baby at the Lutheran church my parents attended. It’s one thing to dedicate your children to the Lord. However, there are no examples of infant baptism in the Bible. Even Jesus was an adult when He was dunked in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

Some Christians insist water baptism is necessary to be saved. One Scripture often quoted by them is 1 Peter 3:21, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Many other verses such as Ephesians 2:8-9 make it clear salvation is not based on our works. The getting-wet part doesn’t save us but appealing to God for a good conscience. The thief on the cross couldn’t get water baptized when he cried out to Jesus but still received eternal life (Luke 23:40-43). 

Then there are Christians who argue if you lead someone to salvation, then you are responsible for baptizing them. The Book of Acts has examples of people being baptized immediately after getting saved. In spite of that, John 4:2 says, “…Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples.” 

Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1…

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

15 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. 

16 Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Notice Paul said, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” As a street evangelist, my focus is sharing the Good News and leading people to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. When there’s time, I encourage newborn believers to get connected with a Bible-based church. Once they have done that, their pastor can provide them the opportunity to get baptized.

After getting born again at 27, I was confident of spending eternity in heaven despite not receiving a full emersion baptism until a few months later. The church I attended at that time only conducted baptisms during their annual summer picnic. In the meantime, I experienced much growth as a believer.

Getting baptized is an important part of the Christian life. The Lord has commanded us to do that as well as take communion. However, we do those things because we are saved, not to become saved.

“not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” 
- Titus 3:5

More Than Enough

For many years environmentalists have issued warnings of certain commodities being depleted. While growing up in the 1970s, I heard a poem in school about the earth supposedly running out of trees. I also remember seeing TV commercials warning about shortages of oil and fresh water. Nowadays, hotels have signs encouraging guests to conserve water so we can supposedly “save our planet.” 

Now there’s another resource being targeted by activists. This past week I saw a BBC News headline claiming “the world is running out of sand” (the Smithsonian Institution published a similar report on their website). Immediately, I thought of God promising Abraham’s descendants would be “…as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” (Genesis 32:12) Still, I read the BBC write-up which explained not all types of sand are in danger of extinction. It’s the kind used for infrastructure and making certain electronic products. I don’t take articles like this seriously when exaggerated titles are used.

The truth is we serve a God of abundance. He has provided the earth with plenty of natural resources. God can create additional things to meet the needs of His people. When Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, He didn’t make just enough to satisfy the hunger of those that heard His word. Matthew 14:20 says, “So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.” Once while having dinner with friends in Canada, pieces of chicken were supernaturally added. Missionary Heidi Baker has testified of God multiplying food for her numerous orphans in Mozambique.

So-called shortages are often the result of individuals hoarding up things. Proverbs 13:22 says, “…the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." So don’t let fear-mongers make you think the earth is being tapped out of necessary resources. God provides more than enough.

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God [El Shaddai]; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” - Genesis 17:1-2

Save the Earth?

Today is Earth Day. According to Wikipedia, “Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.” I agree men and women should be good stewards of this planet. After all, the first two people on this earth were assigned to take care of the Garden of Eden.

Unfortunately, green activism has grown to ridiculous levels. While staying in hotel rooms, I’ve noticed signs encouraging guests to conserve vital resources such as water. By doing so we can supposedly “save our planet.” 

The Bible repeatedly reminds us God made the earth. He made sure it has plenty of natural resources. Psalm 65:9 says, “You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.” It also says in Ecclesiastes 1:4, “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.” The earth is not in danger of dying. Yet, there are so-called experts claiming global warming is killing the Great Barrier Reef, melting polar ice caps, and causing other calamities. 

Last weekend, the Twin Cities area in Minnesota received over a foot of snow…in mid-April! For many days we experienced below normal temperatures. You’d think weather like that would dispel beliefs in a global warming gospel. Instead, some environmentalists now call it “climate change.” l believe in climate change. That’s been happening since creation.

Environmentalists should be more concerned with men being saved from eternal damnation. Colossians 3:2 commands, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” One time I witnessed to a Greenpeace activist who wouldn't receive a tract because he wanted to “save the trees.” Nikos still heard the gospel from me and prayed to get saved. After finding out he didn't have a Bible, I offered him one. Nikos willingly received the Bible, which used far more paper than the gospel tract.

When the Lord returns, He Himself will purify this planet from any harmful effects caused by man. 2 Peter 3:10 says, “...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” Following the millennial reign of Christ and Judgment Day, Revelation 21:1 says there will be “...a new heaven and a new earth.” 

If your life ended right now, would you be ready to face “the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth”? (Isaiah 40:28) He won’t ask if you had saved trees, oceans, whales or other endangered species but if your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. From an eternal perspective, your soul is the most important thing worth saving.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” - Isaiah 65:17

Teacher of the Ear

Jace Lahlum at a water ski club reunion

There’s a popular bumper sticker that says, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” Most of us can recall having a favorite instructor while growing up. Mine was one I had as a high school sophomore in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Despite enjoying math during elementary school and junior high, I was never fond of geometry. Just before starting tenth grade, my parents and I met with a guidance counselor to discuss my schedule. Mom and Dad sided with my resistance to geometry but the counselor insisted I should take that subject.

During the first day of the 1979-1980 school year, I entered a second-floor classroom for my third-period geometry class. After the bell rang, in walked 35-year-old Jace Lahlum. To my surprise, this teacher had an energetic personality unlike any I’d seen before. Halfway through that first class, I realized Mr. Lahlum looked and sounded like comedian Steve Martin. If he put on a white suit, dyed his hair, and stuck an arrow through his head, Mr. Lahlum would closely resemble the "wild and crazy guy.”

However, Jace Lahlum was no Steve Martin impersonator. His unique sense of humor was expressed in various ways. During the second week of class, Mr. Lahlum walked in a couple of times without saying a word and turned on his boombox. His voice was heard saying, “Mr. Lahlum cannot be here today. This is his robot.” Later while going over that day’s assignment, Mr. Lahlum’s voice from the tape said, “The robot will now point to someone and that student will give their answer.”

One of the first things Mr. Lahlum wanted us to know was the Father of Geometry…an ancient Greek mathematician named Euclid. A classmate named Patricia couldn’t remember the exact name when initially called upon and guessed “Escalus.” That became her new nickname.

Another thing Mr. Lahlum taught us was writing out two-column tables called proofs. An answer that often came up in the proofs was CPCTE, which stood for “Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are Equal.” While going over a proof in class, Mr. Lahlum called upon someone to define CPCTE. Even if that student got the answer right, Mr. Lahlum jokingly said, “Nope, it stands for…” and then made up a funny acronym like “Cold Pizza Causes Tongue Erosion” or “Certain People Call That Escalus.”

I still didn’t care for geometry as a subject but looked forward to Mr. Lahlum’s class. Every afternoon upon coming home from school, I described to my mother what my favorite teacher had said and done that morning. Before getting into the daily lesson, Mr. Lahlum usually shared stories that sometimes took up half the class period. He talked about incidents from his childhood, previous classes he taught, and his experiences as a barefoot water skier.

Prior to one water-skiing competition, Jace Lahlum made a bet with a friend that the announcer would correctly pronounce his name (the surname appropriately rhymes with “slalom”). Then he secretly introduced himself at the judge’s stand figuring he would win the bet. Moments later, Mr. Lahlum’s friend walked up to that same judge offering money if he mispronounced Jace’s name. When it came time for his turn around the lake, a voice on the loudspeaker said, “The next contestant will be Jock Laloom!”

Mr. Lahlum often got hungry during our mid-morning class. Not wanting to “offend” us, he grabbed something from his sack lunch, ducked behind the podium, took a bite, and then put the rest of his food back in the closet. One morning Mr. Lahlum decided he didn’t want a sandwich brought with him. After giving us our “home fun” assignment (instead of calling it “homework”), Mr. Lahlum turned on the radio and said, “Name that tune and win a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” I correctly identified the song as “Get It Right Next Time” by Gerry Rafferty. Mr. Lahlum then exploited my knowledge of popular music. Many times he stopped in the middle of a lesson, called my name and said, “name that tune” before turning on his radio. I almost always got the song right. 

Students were allowed to play cassette tapes on Jace Lahlum’s boombox after the “home fun” assignment was given. One guy brought in Pink Floyd’s then-current album “The Wall.” I was curious to see how Mr. Lahlum would react to the group’s infamous hit “Another Brick in the Wall.” When he heard the lyrics “Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!”, Mr. Lahlum had a surprised expression on his face and briefly left the classroom.

Although he goofed around a lot, Jace Lahlum had a serious side. During one class he talked about a hair lip joke he used to tell until having a son with a speech impediment. In a school newspaper interview, Mr. Lahlum revealed that during his third year of teaching one of his students committed suicide. That made him realize there were more important things than learning geometry theorems. Mr. Lahlum became the overseer of the Key Club, a student-led organization encouraging leadership through servicing others. A phrase he often said was, “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”

The same year I had him for geometry, Jace Lahlum was named Moorhead’s Teacher of the Year. A Saturday article in the local newspaper mentioned that along with a misprint declaring him eligible for Minnesota’s “teacher of the ear” award. Two days later after class, I approached Mr. Lahlum’s desk and said, “Hey, I read you’re up for Minnesota’s Teacher of the Ear.” 

He pointed to one of his ears asking, “Yeah, you like it?” 

I replied, “You got a good chance. You got two of them.”

Jace Lahlum was one of eleven finalists but didn’t win Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year award. More unfortunate, he was absent during the latter part of the school year due to a water skiing accident that required back surgery. One day I bought my teacher a get well card along with a bottle of Mountain Dew (his favorite soft drink). I showed up at the hospital but Mr. Lahlum had already been discharged. I ended up giving him those things on the last day of school. He recovered in time to personally give us our final exam.

Four years before, a classmate taught me this sarcastic poem: “God made bees, bees make honey, we do all the work and the teachers get all the money.” In reality, teachers are vastly underpaid compared to other professions. As one Facebook friend posted, “Teachers don't teach for the income. They teach for the outcome.”

An Internet search revealed Jace Lahlum and his wife now live in Arizona. Since they are in their 70s, I’m assuming he retired from teaching. Although I never used geometry as an adult, I’m still grateful for sitting under an instructor who taught more than facts and figures. He shared important lessons in life while still having fun with his students. Hopefully, Mr. Lahlum knows the Lord so that someday I’ll get to see the “teacher of the ear” again in heaven.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” - 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Standing on the Wrong Rock

Despite living in Minnesota most of my life, I consider myself a North Dakota native having been born in Fargo. A recent oil boom has caused a marked increase of the Roughrider State’s population. It’s also resulted in a protest that has captured the world’s attention. The issue at hand is the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline that would run from the Bakken oil fields in western North Dakota to southern Illinois, crossing beneath the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, as well as part of Lake Oahe near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. 

Many people including a few celebrities are “standing with Standing Rock” by blocking construction of the pipeline. One reason is to protect the water from a possible oil spill (the phrase “water is life” is often used by protesters). What should be pointed out is another pipeline and other utilities have been previously built underneath the Missouri River. The chairman of the Standing Rock Tribal Council happens to own a gas station.

Another reason given for the protests is the pipeline supposedly affecting Native American sites. U. S. Army Corp officials offered to hold hearings that were largely ignored by the Standing Rock tribe. Still the pipeline is to be constructed miles away from their sacred grounds. 

Protesters misrepresenting other facts have added fuel to the fire. Despite claims of peaceful protests, law enforcement officials have been attacked with rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails. One person taunted policemen by holding a dead pig’s head on a stick. On Black Friday about 100 Standing Rock protesters gathered at a shopping mall in North Dakota’s capital city of Bismarck. At least 33 of them were arrested for trespassing after disregarding repeated orders to disperse and stop blocking an entrance.

Nevertheless, some religious groups (and even a few of my Facebook friends) have sided with the protesters. The outreach director of one organization posted a YouTube video from Standing Rock in which he talked about “saving Mother Earth.” I must remind eco-protesters the earth isn’t our mother! It’s simply the planet we live on.

This conflict will hopefully end soon since an eviction notice has been issued to protesters camping illegally on private property. In the meantime, I advise all professing Christians “standing with Standing Rock” to refocus your priorities by standing with “the Rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). Believers should be more concerned about saving the souls of men by telling them about Chief Cornerstone who’s part of the tribe of Judah. Protesting a pipeline doesn’t get people into heaven.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” - Matthew 7:24