When a person is baptized, he goes to meet his just end in death and burial. Baptism means simply
burial, putting away in death those who were under the penalty of death, and in reality were not
fit to live. Of course, our sinless, spotless Lord–who also was baptized–was an exception to this.
His baptism symbolized a work on behalf of others.

We speak here of water baptism. The baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) is an entirely different
thing. Water baptism is the act of a disciple of Christ. It effects nothing in itself and conveys no
virtue. It is simply a picture of burial in death.

Two scriptures give us, with great fullness of meaning, the truth as to baptism. "As many of us
as have been baptized unto Christ Jesus have been baptized unto His death. We have been buried
therefore with Him" (Rom. 6:3,4 JND). "As many as have been baptized unto Christ have put on
Christ" (Gal. 3:27 JND). Baptism means that we have come to the end of self by the death of
Christ. We have touched Christ in His death.

God "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ" (Eph. 1:3 JND). In
order to do this it was necessary to remove the hindrance to what He had purposed for us. This
was twofold–our sins and ourselves. The full gospel is that not only our sins but we ourselves
have been put away. A half gospel results in stunted Christians. They would not think of clinging
to their sins as they cling to self, their worst enemy, knowing not the truth which baptism preaches
from the house tops. Would God put away sins and not the self from which the sins came? How
slow we are to own its utter ruin and complete condemnation in the cross of Christ.

If we want to know what self really is, the following scriptures, among many others, will tell us:
"Every imagination of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). "Ah,
sinful nation … the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even
unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores" (Isa.
1:6). "I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips" (Isa. 6:5).
"There is none righteous, no not one…. There is none that does good, no, not one…. There is no
fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:10-18). "The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh:and these are contrary the one to the other" (Gal. 5:17-21).

The work of Christ on the cross has effected the removal of both sins and self. As to our sins,
Christ was "delivered for our offenses and has been raised for our justification" (Rom. 4:25 JND).
As to ourselves, we are dead by His death. "We have died with Christ" (Rom. 6:8 JND). "I am
crucified with Christ and no longer live" (Gal. 2:20 JND). These verses give us the negative side
of the truth–what was against us and what we have been brought out of. This prepares us for the
positive side of the truth–what we have been brought into.

In place of self we "have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). Sins and self are gone only to have Christ
now for everything. He has become our practical substitute in the path here. He is now our true
self. We walk by the rule of new creation in which "Christ is ALL" (Col. 3:11). "For me to live
is Christ" (Phil. 1:21). It does not say for Christ, but implies Christ instead of me. The Lord Jesus

lives and acts in and through us, instead of our living for Him, being something for Him, and
doing something for Him.

Let me illustrate this truth with a little anecdote:A church member went to her minister and
complained, "I cannot get along with Mrs. X. I simply cannot love her as I should." The minister
replied, "Are you willing to let Christ love her through you?"

The essence of sin is being conscious of self and acting of ourselves independent of God (see Gen.
3:7-11). In 1 John 2:12-17, the message to the "fathers" who have reached the stage of Christian
maturity is simply, "You have known Him who is from the beginning." "This is life eternal, that
they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
Faith knows Christ and Him only. In Him faith also sees and knows the Father. "I in them, and
Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one" (John 17:23). The knowledge of the Father
and the Son in eternal life displaces the knowing of self and being self-led. We can forget
self–GOOD or BAD or any other kind of self. Instead, we "grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).

(Adapted from an assembly bulletin of 1950; submitted by Edwin Read, Jr.)

O Jesus, Lord, my Life, my All,
Hast Thou now set Thy love on me?
Then chain this heart, Thy captive thrall,
To beat for evermore for Thee!

Alas, I know it beats not true–
To Thee a grief, a shame to me:
Do Thou each wayward pulse subdue,
And wholly sanctify to Thee.

I trust Thee–break my stubborn will;
I would not count the cost to me,
If in the wine-press love distill
From this poor bruised heart to Thee!

Yea, chasten through my pilgrim years,
In faithful, tender grace to me,
Till self shall melt to love and tears,
And lavish all its wealth on Thee!

Lo, from vessels, earthen only,
Shining forth in ceaseless grace,
Reaching weary hearts, and lonely,
Beams the light from Jesu’s face!

Earthen vessels, marred, unsightly,
Bearing Wealth no thought can know:
Heavenly Treasure, gleaming brightly–
Christ revealed in saints below!

Vessels, broken, frail, yet bearing
Through the hungry ages on
Riches given with hand unsparing–
God’s great Gift, His precious Son!

O to be but empty, lowly,
Mean, unnoticed and unknown,
Yet to God a vessel holy,
Filled with Christ, and Christ alone!

Nought of earth to cloud the Glory!
Nought of self the Light to dim!
Telling forth Christ’s wondrous story:
Broken, empty–filled with Him!

(The preceding two poems are from Hymns of Grace and Truth, copyright 1904 by Loizeaux
Brothers, Neptune, NJ; used by permission.)

"I, Patrick, a sinner!" Thus the patron saint of Ireland begins his own confession. St. Patrick knew
he was a sinner and found salvation in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It surprises many to learn that Patrick was neither Irish nor Roman Catholic. Probably a Scotsman,
his loyalty lay with the ancient church of Britain which never came under papal yoke.
Patrick was born around 389 A.D. At the age of 16 he was kidnaped by pirates and taken to
Ireland where he was enslaved. Patrick tells his own story simply and beautifully in his
Confession, translated into modern-day English:

"I, Patrick, a sinner, rude, unfaithful, and despicable. My father, Calpurnius, has a small farm
near where I was captured. Although I was almost 16 at the time, I was ignorant of God. They
brought me into captivity in Ireland with several thousand men. This we deserved because we had
departed from God. We had not kept His commandments, and we disobeyed our teachers who had
reproved us for our own good.

"The Lord was angry with us and dispersed us among many nations where strangers saw my
depravity. It was there the Lord helped me sense my unbelief, remember my faults, and restore
my whole heart to Him. God saw how mean I was and pitied me because I was so young and
ignorant. He kept me before I even knew Him or could discern good from evil, and He
strengthened me as a father would his son.

"I cannot keep quiet about how God blessed me in my captivity. His reward was allowing me to
exalt and confess His wonders before every nation under heaven.

"There is no other God, nor was there ever before, nor shall there be after Him, except God the
Father. His Son, Jesus Christ, existed with the Father. He created visible things, was made Man,
vanquished death, and now exists in the heavens. God gave Him power over things in heaven,
things in earth, and things under the earth. Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
and God, whom we believe shall come to judge the living and the dead.

"God will render to everyone according to his deeds and pour the Holy Spirit upon us abundantly
as a gift and pledge of immortality….

"Before I was humbled, I was like a stone that lies in the deep mud. Then God the Almighty lifted
me up on high and placed me on His side. I should shout thanks to the Lord for His benefits that
man cannot even estimate. May everyone, great and small, consider the Christ who roused me,
a fool, from amid those wise and skillful in the law and inspired me to serve this nation faithfully.

"I’ll voice without fear the gift of God, the eternal consolation, and spread abroad everywhere the
name of God. I will leave this knowledge to my Gaelic brothers and children, whom I have
baptized.

"After I came into Ireland, I worked daily feeding sheep, at night I prayed, and God’s love and

fear increased in me…. I remained in the woods and mountains and got up before dawn for
prayer."

After about six years of slavery, Patrick managed to escape. He eventually made it back to Britain.
In the year 432, at the age of about 43, he obeyed the call of God to return to Ireland as a
missionary; there he remained for the rest of his life. Patrick writes concerning his evangelistic
labors:

"It is good that we fish diligently, as the Lord teaches us, saying:’Follow Me, and I will make
you fishers of men.’ Therefore, we should spread our nets so a multitude may be taken for God….
I seek no honor from any of you. God’s honor is sufficient for me. In the present world, God has
exalted me more than I can measure. I was not worthy for Him to do this for me. Poverty and
calamity suit me much better than riches and delicacies. Indeed, if I desire riches, which I do not
have, I am unhappy. I expect daily either massacre, entrapment, reduction to slavery, or
something else.

"But I pray for those who believe and fear God. If anyone considers reading this that I, Patrick,
an uneducated sinner, have written in Ireland, let them never say that it is my ignorance. This is
my confession before I die."

After serving his own generation, by the will of God, for 33 years, Patrick died on March 17,
465. Seldom have native ability and spiritual gifts been more remarkably combined than in this
Spirit-led, self-denying missionary of the cross.

His difficult experiences as a slave did not embitter him against the Irish, but rather prompted him
to bring them to Christ. During his first year in Ireland, Patrick faced intense opposition, but he
was crowned by wonderful success. Many came to know the Lord and were baptized.

About a year after Patrick began his work, King Leogaire and his princes summoned him to
celebrate a Druid festival at Tara. The Druid priests filled with rage against him and declared they
would destroy him through enchantment and magical spells if he dared come. But nothing daunted
Patrick. He brought a company of young men whom he was training for ministry into the king’s
presence, singing a hymn now known as "The Breastplate of St. Patrick" (see accompanying
article), which was a statement of his faith.

Patrick believed in salvation by faith in Christ alone. The Church was to him the entire body of
believers, not a worldly system with a powerful and haughty hierarchy imposing its rule over the
laity. Christ was all in all.

Patrick’s testimony resulted in the conversion of the King of Tara and many others. From there
Patrick preached the gospel in Tailtan while the heathen celebrated a pagan festival. He was ever
engaged in preaching the gospel, baptizing and teaching the converts, and gathering them into
churches.

Patrick’s labors resemble the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys. Often in danger of losing his

life, he endured much physical suffering and evangelized the greater part of Ireland. This one time
swineherd, the greatest missionary of his day, knew and loved the gospel of Christ, which alone
is the power of God unto salvation.

In this faith Patrick lived and died, leaving behind a great host to be his "crown of rejoicing" in
that day.

(Adapted from The Real Saint Patrick, published by Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., P.O. Box 277,
Neptune, NJ 07754. Used by permission.)

We continue our study of a few New Testament characters whose identity God has seen fit not to
reveal. "As unknown, and yet well known" (2 Cor. 6:9).

Two Trustworthy Brothers

Two unnamed brothers, highly commended by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8, next claim our
attention. As to the first, he writes:"And we have sent with [Titus] the brother whose praise is
in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the
churches to travel with us with this grace" (8:18,19).

Many have been the guesses as to what individual is meant in this passage. However, it is enough
for us to know that he was a brother devoted to the spread of the blessed gospel and had so
conducted himself that he was well known in this connection in all the assemblies. What an honor
was this bestowed by the Holy Spirit on a servant of the Lord! His work commended him far and
wide, and this was better by far than having his name written out for us on the pages of
inspiration. Having obtained this confidence of all of the gatherings of the believers, he was
considered a fit man to accompany Titus in his conveyance of their bounty to the poor saints at
Jerusalem.

Another unnamed brother was appointed to accompany these two. Paul refers to him as one
"whom we have often proved to be of diligent zeal in many things, but now more diligently
zealous through the great confidence he has as to you" (8:22,23 JND). He apparently was not a
laborer in the Word and doctrine like the first, but a trusted messenger, of which the early
churches often had need in the absence of modern communication services. He was a hopeful man,
since he could have confidence in such as the Corinthians. He was evidently motivated by that love
which "believes all things, hopes all things" (1 Cor. 13:7).

Though these brothers’ names are unknown to us, they are nevertheless honored names, and the
honors bestowed upon them are such as all believers might well covet. Nothing whatever is said
of any gift they might have possessed, any fluency of speech, or ability to teach or preach. The
points noted of them are diligence and faithfulness, dependability and confidence in their
Corinthian brethren.

May the Lord give us to covet earnestly these qualities of diligence, earnestness, and faithfulness,
and such a life as shall bring about deserved recognition by the assemblies of God.

A Peacemaker

"I entreat you also, true yokefellow, help those women who labored with me in the gospel" (Phil.
4:3). Here we have yet another anonymous person mentioned. Whatever his name might have
been, we have something even better than a personal name. He is styled "true [that is, genuine]
yokefellow." What honor is conveyed in the term–a genuine, a faithful, a dependable fellow
laborer of the apostle. Paul entreats him to help those women (evidently Euodias and Syntyche)

who labored with him the gospel. The "help" the apostle entreats was to try to bring together
again these two alienated sisters who had become so in connection with the work of the Lord. He
was requested to act as peacemaker between them, and this was indeed a most delicate
commission–one requiring rare grace and special moral qualifications. "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).

With what admirable delicacy does the wise apostle here refer to the conflict between this pair of
active Christian women. He deals with it not by an elaborate exposure of its obvious wrong, but
by carrying it into the sanctuary of holiness and peace, there to die. How prominent in the dear
apostle was that love that "shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8). And how rare today are
these genuine workers for Christ to whom this designation of honor could be truthfully applied.

There are many who are ready enough and fitted by their spiritual state to promote friction and
discord between believers, to cause alienation, and to destroy confidence between those who labor
in and for the Lord. But true promoters of godly peace, helpers in the so often needed service of
reconciliation among brothers and sisters in Christ, are distinguished by their regrettable rarity.

O Christian covet earnestly to be a promoter of peace among the Lord’s flock, where there is often
so much to cause friction, where so many nurse grievances, where unbecoming coolness so often
settles between those who are exhorted to "love as brethren." The commission is yours, as it is
mine, and may we ever seek grace to be used in this blessed ministry of reconciliation among the
so often alienated members of the household of faith.

(From Holding Fast and Holding Forth, Vol. 22.)

"Blessed are the peacemakers:for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).

Observe that it is not those who live in peace, walk in peace, or keep peace, that are crowned with
the divine blessing, but those who make peace. Some who have a peaceable nature are the least
qualified to make peace, and are in danger of being unfaithful for the sake of peace. The
peacemaker must be impartial; he must see that mercy and truth meet together, that righteousness
and peace kiss each other (Psa. 85:10).

Time must be given for God to work:peace cannot be forced. But wherever there is the smallest
possibility, consistent with the holiness and truth of God, of bringing peace into a scene of
conflict, the Christian should count upon God for guidance and help in bringing peace.

Divine preparation for becoming a peacemaker is found in the preceding beatitude:"Blessed are
the pure in heart:for they shall see God." The pure in heart are at peace with God through the
precious blood of Christ. Cleansed from all sin–whiter than snow– they see God, and have
learned much in the divine presence that fits them for peacemaking. He who walks with God lives
in the spirit of self-judgment and judges all that belongs to himself naturally. He thereby gains
complete control over his own spirit, temper, words, and ways. The pure heart is a peaceful heart,
loves peace, and earnestly desires the peace and happiness of others.

In Part I of this series we discussed how believers ought to prepare for heaven by seeking to live
our lives here on earth as we will one day in heaven. In Part II we considered ways we ought to
prepare for leaving this scene, particularly making sure there are no souls who are hurting or
stumbled because of our sinful or un-Christlike behavior.

Preparation for the Death Event Itself

The way people die is very unpredictable. Some die suddenly, unexpectedly, without symptoms,
and without warning. Others die slowly, and often painfully, as disease destroys the organs of the
body. We do not have much say in how, when, or even if we are going to die. (Remember, the
Lord may return before we die; 1 Thess. 4:17.) So how can we prepare?

I suggest that we can begin even now praying that the Holy Spirit will give us the ability to be a
bright, positive testimony for our blessed Saviour as we die, just as we desire to do so as we live.
A Christian brother told me a few years ago that he often prayed that the Lord would take him
before his mind should deteriorate to the point of possibly saying or doing anything that would
dishonor Christ.

Just a week ago, as I write this, I attended the funeral of a dear fellow believer, Brother D. There
I learned of both the horrible pain he suffered the last week or two before his death and his shining
testimony for Christ in the midst of his suffering. The brother who gave the funeral message told
of a local pastor who came to the hospital to visit Brother D’s roommate. After listening to the
pastor give empty, humanistic words of hope and comfort to the man in the next bed, Brother D
mustered up all of his strength and said, "The most important question is, What do you think of
Christ?" The pastor replied, "Well, yes, that is something to consider." To this, Brother D
responded, "That is the only consideration." How wonderful it would be if we all had such
spiritual boldness and energy, not just on our death beds but during our active lives as well!

An African tribal elder who was more than 100 years old told the story of when missionaries first
came to his district, 100 years previously. He recalled, "We didn’t understand their message and
we thought their ways strange. So, as a tribe, we decided to poison them slowly. I’m the only
living survivor who knows this story." During the next few years, those early pioneer missionaries
and some of their children died one by one, victims of what the mission thought to be the rigors
of Christian service in Africa. But the people of the tribe knew better. After some years, the
people of the district began to turn from animism to Christianity. "It wasn’t because of the way
they lived," the old man said, "but it was how they died that turned our hearts to God." (This
account is by Terry Madison, published in the World Vision magazine, Childlife.)

In 1563, John Foxe published a book that became known as The Book of Martyrs. In it he
described the lives and deaths of men and women–from the first century apostles down to his own
day–who were martyred for their steadfast faith in Christ and for teaching from the Bible. Let us
look at the final words of a few of these martyrs as reported by Foxe:

Polycarp, Smyrna, about 155 A.D. "The proconsul again urged him, saying, ‘Swear, and I will
release thee–reproach Christ.’

"Polycarp answered, ‘Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never once wronged me;
how then shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?’…

"’I will tame thee with fire,’ said the proconsul.

"Then said Polycarp, ‘You threaten me with fire that burns for an hour and is soon extinguished,
but the fire of the future judgment and of eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly you are
ignorant of. But why do you delay? Do whatever you please.’…

"When they would have fastened him to the stake, he said, ‘Leave me as I am, for He who gives
me strength to sustain the fire will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain
without flinching in the pile.’ Upon which they bound him without nailing him. So he said thus,
‘O Father, I bless Thee that Thou hast counted me worthy to receive my portion among the
number of martyrs.’"

John Oldcastle, London, 1418. "As he was come to the place of execution … he fell down
devoutly upon his knees, desiring Almighty God to forgive his enemies. Then stood he up and
beheld the multitude, exhorting them in a most godly manner to follow the laws of God written
in the Scriptures, and to beware of such teachers as they see contrary to Christ in their
conversation and living. Then was he hanged up alive in the fire, praising the name of God so long
as his life lasted."

William Tyndale, Vilvorde, Belgium, 1536. "Brought forth to the place of execution, he was tied
to the stake … crying at the stake with a fervent zeal and a loud voice, ‘Lord! Open the King of
England’s eyes.’"

Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, Oxford, England, 1555. As his execution approached, Latimer
prayed particularly "that God of His mercy would restore His Gospel to England once again; and
these words ‘once again, once again,’ he did so beat into the ears of the Lord God, as though he
had seen God before him and spoken to Him face to face…. How mercifully the Lord heard his
… request in restoring His Gospel once again unto [England]….

"When he stood at the stake … and the tormentors about to set the fire to him … he lifted up his
eyes toward heaven with an amiable and comfortable countenance, saying these words, ‘God is
faithful, who does not suffer us to be tempted above our strength.’"

Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake along with Hugh Latimer. When they brought a flaming
torch and laid it down at Ridley’s feet, Latimer said to Ridley, ‘Be of good comfort, Master
Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as
I trust shall never be put out.’"

We must not pass by two more sterling examples from the pages of Scripture. Stephen, as he was

being stoned to death, cried out, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing
on the right hand of God…. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"
(Acts 7:54-60). And finally, let us listen to some of the words of the Lord Jesus Himself from the
cross:"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…. Verily I say unto you, Today you
shall be with Me in paradise." "Behold your son! … Behold your mother!" "My God, My God,
why hast Thou forsaken Me?" "It is finished."

Few, if any, of our North American readers are in danger of being executed because of our faith
in Christ. However, in other parts of the world tens of thousands of Christians lose their lives each
year because of their faith. If the Lord should tarry another couple of decades, such a thing is
entirely possible in North America as well.

But given our present state of safety and security, what can we learn from these accounts from
Scripture and from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs? I believe they encourage us to approach old age,
infirmity, diminution of physical powers, decreasing independence, serious illness, pain, and death
with calmness, faith, contentment, and continual dependence upon the Lord. Listen to the Apostle
Paul’s words from the Roman prison:"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things
I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11- 13). Also, after recounting the many trials
and troubles he experienced in service for the Lord, the Apostle writes, "I will glory of the things
that concern my infirmities…. Most gladly … will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake:for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor.
11:23- 12:10). In the same epistle, the Apostle encourages the suffering saints on the basis of their
assurance of eternal life:"For our momentary and light affliction works for us in surpassing
measure an eternal weight of glory" (4:17 JND). Even excruciating pain for months or years will
be seen as "momentary and light" once we get to heaven.

Preparation for the Death of a Loved One

The counsel here is of the same order as that given in Part II, "Preparation for Leaving Earth,"
in the previous issue. Especially important is the need to confess and clear up any wrongs we have
done against others before death removes the opportunity. I read once about a young Christian
woman, perhaps college age, who had a poor relationship with her mother. On a particular
occasion, they exchanged angry words over the telephone and the daughter hung up on her
mother. That night the mother died very suddenly of a stroke or heart attack. The daughter,
understandably, was devastated, filled with remorse and guilt, having no way to obtain her
mother’s forgiveness.

When there are unresolved conflicts with one who is now deceased, it can take a long, long time
to work through and overcome one’s grief because of the impossibility of being fully reconciled
this side of heaven.

We sometimes hear the advice:"Do not do anything you would not want to be found doing at the

moment the Lord comes." We might add to this:"Do not say or do anything to another person that
you would regret for the rest of your life should that person suddenly die before you have had an
opportunity to be reconciled." The Lord Jesus’ counsel in His Sermon on the Mount bears
repeating:"If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything
against you, leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are in
the way with Him, lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver
you to the officer, and you be cast into prison" (Matt. 5:23-25). The "prison" here could in certain
instances refer to the chains of guilt and remorse.

It is easier to deal with the reverse situation. If the one who has died is the offender and you are
the offended one, it is your privilege to forgive the offender, "even as God for Christ’s sake has
forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). Let us not be like the woman I met once who was still bitter toward
her husband twenty years after he had died. What an emotional and physical toll such bitterness
took on that woman!

In the next issue we shall consider further aspects of dealing with the death of a loved one.