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Why Stress Baptism? (Part #2)

Last week, we looked at the importance of baptism in Romans 6.1-5. As Romans 6 describes baptism as the action that creates a new life. It is important to remember that Romans is written by the apostle Paul. (Romans 1.1)

Paul was a changed man from the road to Damascus forward. His life before the Damascus Road was steeped in Judaism and the goal of crushing Christianity. His life after the Damascus Road was about the spread of Christianity and its superiority to Judaism.

When Paul spoke of the gospel of Christ, Paul spoke of baptism. In his encounter with the Jewish crowd, Paul recounted his travel on the road to Damascus to the people seeking to kill him. (Acts 21.31) As Paul told them of his conversion account to Christianity, he spoke of the Damascus Road and his discussion with Ananias which lead Paul to baptism. Notice what Ananias told Paul,

And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22.14-16)

Notice Ananias words. Remember this was the man that Jesus said, “Rise and go into Damascus, and there you till be told, all that is appointed for you to do.” (Acts 22.10; see also Acts 9.6)

When Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus, Ananias told Paul what to do and it included baptism. (See Acts 22.16)

Don’t you think that was important?

Just some thoughts,

Why Stress Baptism? (Part #1)

For years, the churches of Christ have been known for emphasis on the topic of baptism. Baptism has been a constant discussion among theologicals for hundreds, it not a couple thousand years.

As various religious groups have found themselves divided over baptism, it is key to look at what the Bible says regarding baptism. One overlooked passage is Romans 6.1-14. For instance, look at a few of the questions and let Romans 6 answer them:

Is baptism really important?

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6.3)
When one is baptized they are baptized into Christ – that is really important.

What does baptism do?

“We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6.4)
Baptism connects one with the death of Jesus and the raising to walk in a new life – that is really important.

Is baptism necessary?

“For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. (Romans 6:5)
To be united with Christ, you must be baptized – that is really important.

Just some thoughts,

The Old, Worn Out Bible

Do you remember the Bible of your grandparents? Maybe you remember the Bible of your parents? Do you remember their old, worn out Bible?

It does not matter if it was a $10 Bible from the General Store or from Walmart, but you remember that old, worn out Bible. Today, every Christian needs one of those old, worn out Bibles.

A worn-out Bible is a well-read, well-studied Bible. It has been read, studied, carried, shared and used. A well-worn Bible usually lives in the home of a studied Christian. The hours of reading of the sacred text can be seen in the worn pages, the cracks in the cover and the break in the binding.

With the age of technology, we have been blessed with the ability to carry a Bible wherever we go. Instead of carrying a scroll, like the first century (Luke 4.17-20; Acts 8.28), we can carry all 66 books in different electronic forms.

The blessing of having the inspired word of God is something every Christian needs to appreciate daily.

How do you get a worn-out Bible?

You will get a worn-out Bible when you open it daily and use it. Reading through the Bible each year will break your Bible in but studying your Bible will begin to do much more. Studying your Bible will result in many pages being turned and pages being worn out.

The more you discover in the Bible, the more you will want to dig into its message. You will find the Word of God to be living, active and piercing our souls and our minds (Hebrews 4.12).

So, what does your Bible look like?

Just some thoughts,

Who or What are You Voting for this Year?

In 2018, James Clear’s book called, “Atomic Habits” was released and became best seller. The book was listed as one of Fast Company’s best-selling business books of 2018.

On page 38, James Clear makes the statement, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” To expound on the point, Dr. Raymond McHenry says, “You may not want to be financially strapped, but overspending demonstrates you’re actually voting for escalating debt. That second helping of dessert probably doesn’t seem significant, but it’s really a vote for weight gain.”

In the same light, when we read or study from God’s word, we are working toward a greater relationship with the Almighty. When we fellowship with the saints, we are working to build a greater relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Your attendance at services shows that you are desiring a greater relationship with God and your spiritual family.

If James Clear’s words are true, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become”, then what type of person receives your vote?

Do your actions show that you are voting to become a greater person? (Consider Philippians 4.8)
Do your actions show that you are voting for a greater relationship with your spiritual family? (Consider Hebrews 10.24-25)
Do your actions show that you are voting for a changed life and a better hope? (Consider 1 Peter 2.9-10)

If your actions were votes, what or who are you voting for this year?

Just some thoughts,

A New Year and a New Progression

Well, here we go! 2020 is upon us whether we were expecting it or not.

This year will be filled with countless blessings, renewed spirits and a desire to grow closer to God each day.

At the beginning of this year, some people will give themselves a new start and a set of achievements they want to see happen by this time next year. Some call the resolutions, some call them resolves, others call them goals. Whatever the description, allow me to share with you a few that will help you on your spiritual journey of 2020.

First, understand that God wants you to do well in 2020. God is still the same and He desires a relationship with you. God wants you to draw closer to Him and depend upon Him. He wants to bless you.

What Does God Want From Me In 2019?

God wants you to come to Him. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

God wants to give you His mercy. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10)

God wants to give you His grace. “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

God wants you to be victorious. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

God wants to give you a home. “…Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

If you understand that God wants you to be close to Him, what is stopping you from drawing near to Him?

Do you want to know what is stopping you?

Are you ready?

What Can You Do in 2020?

Remember, no matter what the year, the month or the day, God still wants you. It is His desire for you to have the greatest gift one could consider; a home with Him forever.

#1 – Attend all the services you can.

One of the best ways you can grow spiritually, is to be with the saints. You need the saints and the saints need you. God desires that His children encourage one another and grow together. Make it a priority to gather with your brothers and sisters.

#2 – Open your Bible and dig into it.

The Bible is a treasure map leading you to the greatest gift the world may ever know. God, the Creator of the World, has given you the gift of salvation, will you open it and dig into it.

#3 – Find a way to serve.

Have you taken the steps to serve your fellow man? God has asked that we serve one another. You can serve others by a variety of ways: send someone a card, send them a text, bake them cookies or a cake. Your service could be “small things” or “big things” but your heart must be in the service you have for others.

#4 – Surround Yourself with Christians

To make your weekend go better, especially, your Sunday, surround yourself with Christians. As you plan for services, plan to meet with your church family after services. Be the one to step up and invite people to gather together. A quick example is inviting people to eat together following services. If money is tight, invite everyone to chip in and have them at your house. (think of it as a potluck meal)

#5 – Pray

This weekend, schedule four times to offer quick prayers. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you of your scheduled prayer time. The weekends give us more time or more relaxed time, and this can be a great moment to pray.

Each Day

Each day, we have the opportunity to get better. Some take advantage of this opportunity every day and other let the opportunity slide by without notice. I encourage you to be a person to take advantage of the moment.

What about the advantage you have in Christ?

I typically call it an opportunity, but for a moment think of it as an advantage. Here are a few of the advantages you have as a Christian:

The forgiveness of sins (Matthew 6.12-14; Luke 5.21-24; Acts 2.38; Acts 8.22)
The ability to live forever (John 3.15; John 6.47; Romans 2.7; Titus 1.2)
Prayer (Matthew 6.9-13; Acts 8.22; Ephesians 6.18; 1 Thessalonians 5.17)
Someone who cares (Matthew 11.28-30; 1 Peter 5.7)
Fellowship (Acts 2.42; 1 Corinthians 1.9; 2 Corinthians 13.14; 1 John 1.3-7)

Have you taken advantage of the benefits of Christ?

More than that, are you taking advantage of the benefits in Christ?

Just some thoughts,

Two Daily Bible Reading Programs

The new year is approaching! Are you ready?

A few years ago I found a couple daily Bible reading schedules and developed some study questions each week for them. This year I want to share the questions with you each week to assist you in your studies.

Once of these studies takes its daily Bible reading from five passages from different sections of the Bible. There is one passages for each day. By the end of the year following this reading program, you will have read throughout the entire Bible.

The second study allows one to begin in the Gospel of Matthew and read to Revelation in 26 weeks. Following this plan will cover the entire New Testament in 6 months.

Note: I do not have a copy of the particular reading schedule charts that I developed these questions from several years ago. If you are familiar with them, let me know. I would like to have a copy of the charts again. Thank you.