Articles by Jason Patrick Hilburn
• Acts 19 records the day the Ephesians were saved, and they were not saved by faith alone or told to pray—they were baptized to wash away their sins, just as others had been (Acts 19:5; cf. 2:38; 10:35; 22:16). Ephesians 2 was written after they had been saved by grace through obedient faith, submitting to Christ in baptism (Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Gal. 3:26-27).
• Paul was not contrasting faith and obedience, but grace and the Law of Moses.… Read more
Was Paul teaching that water baptism is not necessary for salvation when he wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 1:17: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…”? Notice:
1. Paul did baptize. Paul baptized people such as Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas (1 Cor. 1:14–16). His words cannot mean that he never baptized anyone. Paul was carrying out the Great Commission of our Lord for all nations to believe and be baptized for their salvation (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–16).… Read more
Some religious groups claim that Sabbath observance is still required today—whether on Saturday or Sunday. However, the Bible teaches that the Old Covenant, including the Sabbath law, was given only to Israel and was never intended to be a law for all people in all generations. Under the New Covenant, Christians follow the Law of Christ, not the Law of Moses. The following questions are designed to challenge the belief that Sabbath-keeping is still binding today.… Read more
The question of whether people should still observe the Sabbath is a contentious issue among various religious groups today. Many sincerely believe that keeping the Sabbath is a moral requirement today, making it a test of salvation. This topic is crucial because false doctrines related to the Sabbath can place unnecessary burdens on people’s consciences and even corrupt the true Gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9).
Understanding what the Bible teaches about the Sabbath is essential for distinguishing between obsolete Old Testament requirements and New Testament commands.… Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in many areas of people’s lives, including business, education, and even religious discussions. AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, provide quick access to Biblical information, answer various questions, and assist in Bible study. With this new technology at our fingertips, many are beginning to ask: Should AI be used in religious matters? If so, how can it be used responsibly?
While AI offers certain advantages, it also presents significant dangers, including the potential for misinformation.… Read more
Question for ChatGPT:
You have repeatedly stated that water baptism is necessary for salvation (based on Biblical teaching), and I agree, but what if someone argues that water baptism cannot be essential, because that would mean people on their “deathbeds” could not become saved?
ChatGPT said:
That’s a great question, and it’s a common objection. Here are a few ways to respond to the argument that water baptism cannot be essential for salvation because it would allegedly exclude people on their deathbeds from being saved:
1.… Read more
Question for ChatGPT:
If people use the penitent thief on the cross to say that people do not have to be baptized in water today to be saved, how would you respond?
ChatGPT said:
“If someone argues that the penitent thief on the cross proves that baptism is not necessary for salvation today, here are a few ways you could respond:
1. The Thief Lived Under the Old Covenant
Where did God say that using mechanical instruments in New Testament worship is forbidden? If God did not say, “Thou shalt not use mechanical instruments in New Testament worship,” are they automatically authorized? Friends, God has never owed man a list of all the things He does not want (as will be shown). To be faithful to Him, we simply need to know what He does want, and give Him exactly that. We must not presume that something other than what He specified is acceptable to Him, as many people in Bible times learned the hard way by being punished or even killed (Gen.… Read more
When Paul wrote, “giving thanks…unto God and the Father” (Ephesians 5:20), was he referring to more than one being receiving thanks, or describing the same being in two different ways? He was referring to the First Person of the Godhead in two different ways. He is both God and Father. A relatable example would be words like this said at a funeral: “I will miss my sister and my friend.” One person is under consideration, described as both a sister and a friend.… Read more
