How Important Is Baptism?

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How important is baptism? Generally speaking, there are two mistakes that people make about baptism. The first is that you HAVE to be baptized in order to be saved. That’s just plain wrong. The second mistake is that, because you don’t have to be baptized in order to be saved, that baptism is not important—again, what a huge mistake to make. Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but it is very important because Jesus commanded it.

Baptism is something we should do for several reasons, but first and foremost, Jesus told us to follow His example and be baptized. Anything that Jesus emphasizes we should never minimize. Think of it this way, Jesus’ first act in His public ministry was to be baptized. His last command to His followers was to be baptized! Obviously this was/is very important to the Lord.

Another reason for emphasizing baptism is that it shows our commitment to the Lord. Paul said this to the church in Galatia, “You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.” ( Galatians 3:27 GNT) In-other-words, it proclaims openly that we are His and He is ours. It identifies us with Him. This is where the old illustration of Wedding Ring comes in. I wear a wedding ring to show that I am married to Patty and that I love her (and I do love that woman!) If I take my ring off, I’m no less married than when I have it on. The ring doesn’t make me married; it simply shows that I already am. Baptism doesn’t make me saved, but it shows the whole world that I am proudly a part of the clan known as Christian; that I am a Christ-follower.

A third reason for baptism is it shows your conversion. Peter said, “But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death”. (1 Peter 3:21 CEV) This is so important that I will write about it in more detail in another post. The Meaning Of Baptism. The point is that the reason we are baptized is because it acts as a testimony to those who see us baptized. There is an inherent message seen through the act of baptism, as we shall see.

Is baptism important? Yes! We cannot expect God to continue to give us more blessings when we refuse to follow His basic commands. Why would He bless us with more of anything until we are obedient? Remember, baptism is just a symbol, but a very important one. Don’t take your eyes off the Lord to focus on a symbol. Baptism, whether a spoonful or a tank full, can never save you. Having a right relationship with the Living Lord Jesus Christ is all that can do that.

 

Think Pink Sunday

On Sunday we celebrated Think Pink Sunday, a cancer recognition service. We heard testimonies, shared Scriptures, and generally loved on one another. We celebrated victories over cancer, commiserated and grieved together those we have lost, and we prayed for those hurting because of the disease. Here are a few pictures of this very meaningful service.

 We wore Pink and Purple for breast cancer and Relay for Life.

 

Luke read the story of Blind Bartimaeus and Jesus' compassion toward the sick.

Elaine spoke of her battle with breast cancer

Maddie and The Preacher give out purple ribbons to cancer survivors

Wendy spoke of overcoming carcinoma

Zack spoke about children's cancer and his St Baldrick's project

Dr Preacher

So with some changes in my schedule, I am taking The Skilled Helper this semester. One more class closer to “Dr Preacher.”  This class will be the last counseling class I will take, which s a bummer; but alas, I have now taken all that Luther Rice offers. The class is wonderful, probably the most helpful so far, although not the most revealing as far as new knowledge is concerned. That would definitely have been Counseling And The Law.

As before, I am posting some of my work a Biblical Turbulence. Perhaps one day I will stick with writing (i.e. having the time) to write some preliminary commentary stuff over there. (Basically a dumbed down commentary from my simplistic view of the texts that speak to me)

So anyway, that is the latest update on Dr Preacher.

Catching Up

So I haven’t been consistently writing on here for a while now. After my dad past away this summer, mom moved in with us for a while (she is now at my sister’s house for an indefinite period of time) and that plus school kept my extra writing time down.

 I am preaching on Believer’s Baptism his week, and I hope that a few of my regular folk who have never been baptized will hear something that will awaken their need to follow this ordinance. Baptism is a great observance, and I love to be in the water. Follow this for pictures of some of our BAPTISMS.

Easter is coming up shortly, and just today during my prayer time I think I have my Easter message, one of love, humility, and service shown through Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet in John.

In less than three weeks I will be posting the Passion Week countdown again, so look for those posts starting Palm Sunday, March 24.

Email

FYI, my email address of eleven years has changed. It is now

sleigh270@gmail.com

Please make a note

Here We Go Again

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Just started week five in Advanced Biblical Counseling. So far so good. I am really enjoying taking these counseling classes. Next semester I will be taking a stat's class in preparation for choosing my Ministry Project (dissertationesque paper a few hundred pages long) so I'll enjoy this one while I can.

In the mean while, you can enjoy my philosophical musings over at Biblical Turbulence.  HA!