3. CHAPTER 15

4. First let me say that I am grateful to God for His richest blessings upon this humble work that is called Muscle and a Shovel. At this juncture, June 29, 2015, approximately 310,000 copies have been sold and distributed. As a result, the Shank family has heard of (via phone calls, emails, text messages, facebook, twitter, etc.) of approximately 30,000 baptisms as a result of the story - ALL CREDIT, HONOR AND GLORY BE TO GOD! CHAPTER 15

5. The Hilldale Church of Christ in Clarksville, Tenn., experienced 72 baptisms after integrating the book into its Bible studies, evangelist Carl Sims said CHAPTER 15

6. Brittany Clements, a flight information analyst in Castle Rock, Colo., grew up in a Lutheran church. A friend from the Castle Rock Church of Christ gave her a copy of the book. Clements said she was surprised to find questions about various denominations’ beliefs answered forthrightly, with Scripture, in Shank’s book. CHAPTER 15

7. “I’ve always asked these same questions and never really gotten good answers,” Clements said. She was baptized in August 2013. In a message to Shank, she wrote, “Thanks to your guidance in the book … I am finally finding the truth I have been craving for years.” CHAPTER 15

8. THE CONGREGATION THAT WE ATTENDED LAST SUNDAY WAS MAKING THE BOOK AVAILABLE TO THEIR MEMBERS. CHAPTER 15

9. AN ELDER FROM A CONGREGATION NEAR DECATUR, ALABAMA EMAILED ME 2 OR 3 WEEKS AGO ASKING HOW WE WERE USING THE BOOK IN OUR BIBLE STUDAY AND ASKING PERMISSION TO USE MY POWER POINT SLIDES ON OUR WEB SITE. ( HE SAW THAT WE WERE USING IT VIA OF OUR FACEBOOK PRESENCE). CHAPTER 15

10. "BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVEABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD..."

11. 1 COR 15

12. "BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER...”

13. 1 PETER 3

14. "WHY TARRY? ARISE AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY THY SINS...”

15. ACTS 22

16. "FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH HE HAS PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD”

17. ACTS 20

18. "IN TIMES PAST YOU YE WALKED ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD..."

19. EPHESIANS 2

20. "BUT OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN...”

21. MATTHEW 24

22. "BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US...”

23. 1 PETER 3

24. "BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM..."

25. COLOSSIANS 2

26. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

27. Luke 8

28. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

29. 1 PETER 4

30. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

31. EPHESIANS 2

32. The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

33. ACTS 2

34. And he is the head of the body, the church:

35. COL 1

36. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

37. EPH 5

38. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

39. EPH 4

40. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

41. MARK 10

42. For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

43. LUKE 18

44. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

45. LUKE 12

46. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

47. ACTS 2

48. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

49. JAMES 1

50. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

51. ROMANS 5

52. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

53. 2 CORINTHIANS 5

54. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

55. 2 CORINTHIANS 5

56. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

57. JOHN 3

58. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

59. 2 TIMOTHY 3

60. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

61. ROMANS 12

62. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

63. MATTHEW 5

64. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

65. 1 CORINTHIANS 13

66. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

67. 1 CORINTHIANS 13

68. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

69. PROVERBS 14

70. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

71. JEREMIAH 17

72. 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

73. 2 THESSALONIANS 1

74. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

75. MATTHEW 7

76. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

77. MATTHEW 15

78. If ye love me, keep my commandments.

79. JOHN 14

80. But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

81. ROMANS 6

82. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

83. ACTS 10

84. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

85. EPHESIANS 2

86. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

87. JOHN 8

88. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

89. JOHN 12

90. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

91. GALATIANS 6

92. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

93. ROMANS 6

94. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

95. MARK 16

97. LARRY’S REVELATION THAT HE HAS BEEN STUDYING WITH RANDALL ALSO AND HE HAS BEEN BAPTIZED CHAPTER 15

98. WHEN YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED TO BE SAVED, WHAT IS USUALLY THE FIRST THING BROUGHT UP (BESIDES JOHN 3:16) ? CHAPTER 15

99. THE THIEF ON THE CROSS WAS SAVED AND HE WAS NOT BAPTIZED… CHAPTER 15

100. WHO WANTS TO BE SAVED LIKE THE THIEF ON THE CROSS? CHAPTER 15

101. LUKE 23: 42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. CHAPTER 15

102. CAN YOU PROVE THE THIEF ON THE CROSS HAD NOT BEEN BAPTIZED? CHAPTER 15

103. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: CHAPTER 15

104. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: HE HEALED THE LAME, THE BLIND & THE SICK CHAPTER 15

105. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: HE HEALED THE LAME, THE BLIND & THE SICK HE BID PETER TO WALK ON THE WATER CHAPTER 15

106. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: HE HEALED THE LAME, THE BLIND & THE SICK HE BID PETER TO WALK ON THE WATER HE PERFORMED MIRACLES AND SIGNS & WONDERS CHAPTER 15

107. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: HE HEALED THE LAME, THE BLIND & THE SICK HE BID PETER TO WALK ON THE WATER HE PERFORMED MIRACLES AND SIGNS & WONDERS HE PRONOUNCED FORGIVENESS OF SINS CHAPTER 15

108. WHILE JESUS WAS ALIVE: BECAUSE OF WHO HE WAS HE HAD THE POWER TO DO ANYTHING HE CHOSE WHILE HE WAS STILL ALIVE. CHAPTER 15

109. HEBREWS 9: 16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. CHAPTER 15

110. THE LAW OF CHRIST THAT WE ARE UNDER NOW DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL HE DIED. CHAPTER 15

111. THE LAW OF CHRIST THAT WE ARE UNDER NOW DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL HE DIED. GALATIANS 6: 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. CHAPTER 15

112. THE LAW OF CHRIST THAT WE ARE UNDER NOW DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL HE DIED. THEREFORE CHRIST WAS ABLE TO HEAL, FORGIVE, SAVE MEN LIKE THE THIEF ON THE CROSS ALL WHILE HE WAS STILL ALIVE. CHAPTER 15

113. ROMANS 6: 3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. CHAPTER 15

114. ROMANS 6: 3-5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: CHAPTER 15

115. TODAY MEN & WOMEN ARE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST BY BEING BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH. CHAPTER 15

116. TODAY MEN & WOMEN ARE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST BY BEING BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH. CHRIST SHED HIS BLOOD IN HIS DEATH AND HIS SHED BLOOD IS WHAT FORGIVES US OF OUR SINS. CHAPTER 15

117. THEREFORE::::::::::::: CHAPTER 15

118. THEREFORE::::::::::::: NONE OF THIS WAS AVAILABE FOR THE THIEF ON THE CROSS…. CHAPTER 15

119. “DEATH BED ARGUMENT” CHAPTER 15

120. IS BAPTISM COMMANDED? CHAPTER 15

121. MARK 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned. CHAPTER 15

122. MARK 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. CHAPTER 15

123. “CHEW & SWALLOW” CHAPTER 15

124. IT TAKES TWO THINGS TO BE SAVED, BELIEF & BAPTISM. CHAPTER 15

125. IT TAKES TWO THINGS TO BE SAVED, BELIEF & BAPTISM. BELIEF BY ITSELF DOES NOT EQUEAL SALVATION. CHAPTER 15

126. IT TAKES TWO THINGS TO BE SAVED, BELIEF & BAPTISM. BELIEF BY ITSELF DOES NOT EQUEAL SALVATION. BAPTISM BY ITSELF DOES NOT EQUAL SALVATION. CHAPTER 15