Saturday, September 02, 2006

BAPTISMAL SERVICE TOMORROW AFTER BISHOP NTEZIMANA'S MESSAGE

Sister Delilah Mummel, Austin Mummel and maybe even Jeremy Mummel have asked to be baptized tomorrow. We look forward to this time. The baptismal pool is ready and we thank God for those who are following the Lord in water baptism.

When John was baptizing those who came to him, Jesus also came to be baptized. Here is what the Bible says, Matthew 3:
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

We believe in following the example of our Lord. Water baptism is a public testimony of our allegiance to the Savior and that He is our Savior and Lord. There are several examples of water baptism in the scriptures. While water baptism does not wash away sins (that is only done by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ), it does clear one's conscience toward's God. It publicly shows that one is not ashamed of the Lord Jesus and is now an avowed follower of the Him.

The Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

It is our joy to follow this ordinance and have a good conscience towards God. . .

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