Do You Believe Or Not?

by Kimberly B. Southall


Too many claim to believe in Jesus and yet manage to fall short in one vital regard. Are you one of those people? Do you really believe in Jesus? I don't think you do if you have chosen not to be baptized. Here's the way I see it:

  • You believe Jesus was born of a virgin.
  • You believe He turned water into wine.
  • You believe He withstood Satan's temptations.
  • You believe He healed the lame, blind, and raised the dead.
  • You believe He cast out demons.
  • You believe He walked on water.
  • You believe He fed over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves with lots of food left over.
  • You believe He lived a sinless life.
  • You believe He predicted which one of His followers would betray Him.
  • You believe He peacefully rode an unbroken donkey colt.
  • You believe He voluntarily suffered and died a cruel death, all the while having compassion for those who were at fault.
  • You believe He arose from the dead.
  • You believe He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
  • You believe He will return someday to gather the elect.
But if you believe all of that and still haven't been baptized, then you don't believe a word He said! For it was Jesus Himself who said:
 
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." --Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

and

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." --Mark 16:16 (NIV)

and

"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."  --John 3:5 (NIV)

And He also said:
 

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."--John 14:23-24 (NIV)

So do you believe what He said? Do you believe in Jesus or not?

Copyright © 2000 Kimberly B. Southall. All rights reserved.