The Serpents Bite: Luke 3:7-9
“7) So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8) Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9) Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”” Luke 3:7-9
John had a fiery message. He preached repentance and he wanted to see evidence of a change before he baptized people. This was especially true of the religious elite.
According to Matthew 3:7-10, the comparison to a brood of vipers was aimed at the Pharisees and Sadducees. These religious leaders were false teachers. They taught that external religious ceremony rather than an inner change brings merit with God.
John was the precursor to what was practiced in the New Testament. This is commonly known as “believers baptism.” Hearing the gospel and putting personal faith in Jesus Christ always came before baptism in the early church. (See Acts 8:35-38; 16:28-33; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4-5)
An external ceremony does nothing to change or convert the heart. John said “bring forth the fruit of a changed life and then I will baptize you!” Becoming a Christian is inward and not outward.
He further warmed them not to play the religious affiliation card as proof of salvation. They could not say; “I’m Jewish, therefore I belong to God.” Church membership does not make a person a Christian no matter their church affiliation!
Many people are deceived into thinking that infant baptism and church affiliation saves them. That is not taught in the Bible!
The Bible teaches that we must be born-again through personal faith in Jesus Christ. (See John 3:1-21) Then the Holy Spirit seals us and baptizes us into the body of Christ. (See Ephesians 1:13-14 and 1 Corinthians 1:13)
It is interesting that John used the analogy of a viper. Satan is often pictured as a serpent. His venom is always laced with deception. The two lies exposed in this text are deadly. Satan uses them all the time to poison and paralyze religious people into thinking infant baptism and church membership is the basis of salvation! This is nothing less than the serpents deadly bite!
John as the forerunner of Jesus was already combating these false perceptions. He was looking for evidence of true repentance toward God. He wanted to see a changed life.
Maybe you are blinded by the serpents bite. I beg you to open your New Testament and study the biblical bases of salvation. Find out what it means to be “born-again.” What you discover will be enlightening and will change your eternal destiny.
Saving faith in Jesus Christ is the only basis of salvation. It is always accompanied by repentance and the fruit of a new life. (See Romans 10:9-17) Start by studying the Gospel of John, Romans or Ephesians. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you. The whole New Testament is full of anti-venom for the serpents bite!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“7) So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8) Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9) Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”” Luke 3:7-9
John had a fiery message. He preached repentance and he wanted to see evidence of a change before he baptized people. This was especially true of the religious elite.
According to Matthew 3:7-10, the comparison to a brood of vipers was aimed at the Pharisees and Sadducees. These religious leaders were false teachers. They taught that external religious ceremony rather than an inner change brings merit with God.
John was the precursor to what was practiced in the New Testament. This is commonly known as “believers baptism.” Hearing the gospel and putting personal faith in Jesus Christ always came before baptism in the early church. (See Acts 8:35-38; 16:28-33; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4-5)
An external ceremony does nothing to change or convert the heart. John said “bring forth the fruit of a changed life and then I will baptize you!” Becoming a Christian is inward and not outward.
He further warmed them not to play the religious affiliation card as proof of salvation. They could not say; “I’m Jewish, therefore I belong to God.” Church membership does not make a person a Christian no matter their church affiliation!
Many people are deceived into thinking that infant baptism and church affiliation saves them. That is not taught in the Bible!
The Bible teaches that we must be born-again through personal faith in Jesus Christ. (See John 3:1-21) Then the Holy Spirit seals us and baptizes us into the body of Christ. (See Ephesians 1:13-14 and 1 Corinthians 1:13)
It is interesting that John used the analogy of a viper. Satan is often pictured as a serpent. His venom is always laced with deception. The two lies exposed in this text are deadly. Satan uses them all the time to poison and paralyze religious people into thinking infant baptism and church membership is the basis of salvation! This is nothing less than the serpents deadly bite!
John as the forerunner of Jesus was already combating these false perceptions. He was looking for evidence of true repentance toward God. He wanted to see a changed life.
Maybe you are blinded by the serpents bite. I beg you to open your New Testament and study the biblical bases of salvation. Find out what it means to be “born-again.” What you discover will be enlightening and will change your eternal destiny.
Saving faith in Jesus Christ is the only basis of salvation. It is always accompanied by repentance and the fruit of a new life. (See Romans 10:9-17) Start by studying the Gospel of John, Romans or Ephesians. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you. The whole New Testament is full of anti-venom for the serpents bite!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
