Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
January 7, 2018

A Blind Man Earns (?) His Sight
by Bryan Gibson
It’s a simple, straightforward account. Please read every word, very carefully.
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing” (John 9:1-7).
Shame on Mr. Blind Man! If only he had not done anything, Jesus could have received all the glory. That’s some nerve, to actually do what Jesus said—to go to the pool of Siloam and wash the clay from his eyes. Give the glory to the blind man, because in doing something he actually earned his sight. If that sort of reasoning sounds ridiculous, it’s because it is! Yes, this man had to DO something, but he wasn’t about to boast about what he did. “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He (Jesus) has opened my eyes!” (v. 30). This man gave the glory to Jesus; he knew he had been healed by the power of God. Keep in mind what Jesus said earlier to his disciples : “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (v. 3). Again, this man had to DO something, but his healing was still the work of God.
Now, let’s think about how this relates to salvation, to baptism in particular. Jesus plainly taught that one must be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16). His apostles preached the same thing (Acts 2:38). Ananias told Saul to “go wash”—to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16). Despite these plain instructions, some object to the necessity of baptism, because according to them, if a person has to be baptized to be saved, he is earning his salvation—in effect, saving himself. Think about the blind man again. He had to do something, but he didn’t earn his sight, and he certainly didn’t heal himself. Yes, a person does have to be baptized to have his sins forgiven, but he is still saved by Jesus. It is without question the work of God (please read Colossians 2:11-12). An individual can believe, repent, confess his faith, and be baptized, but only God can forgive; only God can make alive (please read Ephesians 2:4-6). This writer has witnessed many people be baptized into Christ, but has yet to hear anyone say, after coming up from the water, “Look what I did!”
Older Preachers
I guess I’m slowly transitioning into that older preacher stage, but there are still a number of faithful preachers around much older than I. When they talk, I listen intently; and when they write, I read carefully. I listen and read with the same filter the Bereans used (Acts 17:11), but I do pay close attention. Face it—they’re ahead of me in knowledge, wisdom, and experience, so I would be foolish to not reap the benefits. Let me encourage, then, all my “younger” brethren to do the same. And don’t get put off by the numerous warnings (even the forceful ones) you hear from them. Deviations from the truth some consider harmless, or “striving about words to no profit” (2 Timothy 2:14), they see in a different light, because they’ve been around long enough to see where it leads.
“Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding” (Job 12:12).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@knology.net / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.