1. Bible Question Box - Matthew 11:28-29 - In order to learn from Jesus we must: –Come to Him (open, ready heart) –Take His yoke upon us (submission) –Be humble before Him (11:25) –Expect to find God’s answers –Will find rest for your soul! 1

2. What is the purpose of “sackcloth & ashes” in repentance in the OT? Is it binding today? Sackcloth: A coarse material (goat or camel hair) used to make large sacks in which rough articles were carried on the backs of camels Garments of such material usually worn in time of grief, mourning, sorrow or shame (indicative of intense sorrow) – Gen. 37:34; Psa. 30:11 2

3. What is the purpose of “sackcloth & ashes” in repentance in the OT? Is it binding today? Ashes: Put on the head, face &/or body as a token of grief, self-abhorrence & bitter humiliation – Job 2:8; Jer. 6:26 –Signs of repentance – Matt. 11:21; Jonah 3:5-10 (Luke 11:32) Garments are not bound on us…but thorough repentance is! – Acts 17:31; 26:20 (Lk. 3:8-14); 2 Cor. 7:10 3

4. How do you convince a lost soul that being baptized and living faithfully after baptism saves you (not just confession of faith)? When one refuses to humble their heart before God, nothing will convince him – Mk. 16:15-16; Jno. 8:43 (Lk. 8:5, 11-12); cf. Lk. 16:27-31 –Cf. God toward Israel – Rom. 10:16-21 –Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2-5) –Only truth frees us from our sins – Jno. 8:32 4

5. How do you convince a lost soul that being baptized and living faithfully after baptism saves you (not just confession of faith)? Baptism: Saves (1 Pet. 3:21; Mk. 16:16) –Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27 Faithful living after baptism is essential for eternal life –Matt. 10:22; Acts 14:22; Rom. 12:1; Heb. 10:36-39 5

6. God says that baptism is essential for salvation, so what about the robber on the cross? Luke 23:39-43 Regardless of how Christ saved the thief on the cross, the Bible still commands baptism today! Mark 16:16 The thief lived before the death of Christ & under the first covenant –Baptism is part of the new covenant, Heb. 10:9 (Mk. 16:15-16) –We live under the new covenant & must obey it to receive its inheritance 6

7. God says that baptism is essential for salvation, so what about the robber on the cross? Luke 23:39-43 While Christ lived on earth He often forgave sins – Lk. 5:20, 24 –Christ was still alive when He forgave the thief, Lk. 23:43 –Therefore, Christ forgave him as He chose (consistent with His authority on earth to forgive sins) 7

8. God says that baptism is essential for salvation, so what about the robber on the cross? Luke 23:39-43 Now, after the death of Christ, His authority to forgive sins is announced & provided in His new covenant (gospel) – Heb. 9:15-17; Mk. 16:15-16 –Came into force after He died, Heb. 9:17 –Comply with terms of His testament to receive its inheritance (redemption) Christ commands baptism of all sinners – Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38 8

9. God says that baptism is essential for salvation, so what about the robber on the cross? Luke 23:39-43 If there is sin in our lives & we refuse to repent (“in sackcloth & ashes”) we cannot expect God to save us anyway! Salvation from sin is “in Christ” & is received when we humble ourselves before Him; take His yoke on us & obey Him in faith – Acts 2:40-41 (Matt. 11:28; Heb. 5:9) 9