Sour, doleful, grumpy, disgruntled, complaining, negative, irritable, discontented – all describe the kind of person who seems to wallow in his misery and, not content therewith, loves to cause others misery as well. Perhaps you have seen this kind of person who claims to be a disciple? And, how he claims to be a real follower/learner of Jesus presents an insurmountable incongruity. “Baptized in pickle juice” (as brother Jack Wirtz describes them) conveys a graphic figure of their misery in their religion.
The NT record indicates the rejoicing of those who were baptized into Christ They were baptized in water for the remission of their sins and, upon being raised from baptism, understood that their souls had been cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ – note the rejoicing of the Ethiopian treasurer and the Philippian jailer who rejoiced with all his house (Acts 8:39; 16:34). Baptized believers understood that they had become new creatures and when raised from the watery grave of baptism, realized that they had escaped the old man of sin and were beginning a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:1-7).
“Baptized in pickle juice?” No way! Not one who has obeyed from the heart! The baptized believer rejoices daily in his fellowship with Christ (1 John 1:1-3).
You hear it when he talks – you see it when he walks. – Jim R. Everett
Sour, doleful, grumpy, disgruntled, complaining, negative, irritable, discontented – all describe the kind of person who seems to wallow in his misery and, not content therewith, loves to cause others misery as well. Perhaps you have seen this kind of person who claims to be a disciple? And, how he claims to be a real follower/learner of Jesus presents an insurmountable incongruity. “Baptized in pickle juice” (as brother Jack Wirtz describes them) conveys a graphic figure of their misery in their religion.
The NT record indicates the rejoicing of those who were baptized into Christ They were baptized in water for the remission of their sins and, upon being raised from baptism, understood that their souls had been cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ – note the rejoicing of the Ethiopian treasurer and the Philippian jailer who rejoiced with all his house (Acts 8:39; 16:34). Baptized believers understood that they had become new creatures and when raised from the watery grave of baptism, realized that they had escaped the old man of sin and were beginning a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:1-7).
