Baptism....It only conjures up one image for me and that's someone being dunked in or sprinkled with, water. Tonight's meeting produced many questions about baptism.
We are in the book of Acts. We were looking at Acts 19:1-7, " And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John’s baptism." And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all."
These verses lead to many questions.
1. What exactly is baptism?
2. What is the difference between John's baptism and being baptised in Jesus' name?
3. Does baptism have to involve water?
4. What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
5. Why the laying on of hands?
6. Is there another word for baptism?
These questions lead to one conclusion, we need to study baptism. So for the next few weeks we will be looking at it. We will look up all the verses that mention baptism and try to draw some conclusions.
I want to try and keep as much denominational doctrine out of the conversation as possible and just let the Scriptures speak. I think this can be very exciting and informative. Obviously I want it to encourage us too.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Stop By, Say Hello
The one thing I like to tell folks about the Wednesday Night Group (WNG) is that we want them to stop by and visit. I don't care if it's once a week, once a month, or once a year, stop by and say hello!
The WNG is not a club, membership is NOT required. I want people who used to come regularly to feel like they are welcome anytime. Some folks can't make a weekly commitment. THAT'S OKAY! The important thing is to show up, be encouraged, encourage others, hear God's Word, receive prayer cover, or just plain unwind among friends.
I once heard a wonderful sermon that our homes should be an oasis from the outside world. That's how I want everyone to feel about the WNG. I want our gatherings to be an oasis, a place of refreshing.
Paul closes 2 Corinthians like this, "Finally brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Be refreshed, be encouraged.
The WNG is not a club, membership is NOT required. I want people who used to come regularly to feel like they are welcome anytime. Some folks can't make a weekly commitment. THAT'S OKAY! The important thing is to show up, be encouraged, encourage others, hear God's Word, receive prayer cover, or just plain unwind among friends.
I once heard a wonderful sermon that our homes should be an oasis from the outside world. That's how I want everyone to feel about the WNG. I want our gatherings to be an oasis, a place of refreshing.
Paul closes 2 Corinthians like this, "Finally brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Be refreshed, be encouraged.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
A Part of the Body
Have you read Knucklehead's blog? (headknuckle.blogspot.com) I guess he felt compelled to write about the Wednesday Night Group. Rudy Baga's comment on the post reads, "Wow! 25 years!! That is something. Must be doing something right. Sounds like the Body of Christ to me."
Yes, it's been over twenty-five years. It's hard to believe. Who would have thought that it would have lasted this long. Just for the record, ever since I've been a part of the group, we have met all year round! We don't take summers off.
Vivian is an original member. She still visits once in a while. Of the current members, Virginia has been a part of the group the longest. They have witnessed a lot of changes.
At one time, the group had to be divided because it was too big. That was back when John, Stephanie, and Joe G. were leading the group. We were a prayer group then a Bible study and now a fellowship group. A lot of folks have kept the fire burning.
Although more than five different churches are represented in the group, we are able to fellowship together. It's not about churches or denominations, it's about iron sharpening iron. It's about fighting the good fight. It's about encouraging one another.
I am thankful for those who still attend on a regular basis. I appreciate your encouragement and prayer support. I am thankful for the past leaders. I am especially thankful to the Lord. I am encouraged by his faithfulness. I hope you are encouraged too.
Yes, it's been over twenty-five years. It's hard to believe. Who would have thought that it would have lasted this long. Just for the record, ever since I've been a part of the group, we have met all year round! We don't take summers off.
Vivian is an original member. She still visits once in a while. Of the current members, Virginia has been a part of the group the longest. They have witnessed a lot of changes.
At one time, the group had to be divided because it was too big. That was back when John, Stephanie, and Joe G. were leading the group. We were a prayer group then a Bible study and now a fellowship group. A lot of folks have kept the fire burning.
Although more than five different churches are represented in the group, we are able to fellowship together. It's not about churches or denominations, it's about iron sharpening iron. It's about fighting the good fight. It's about encouraging one another.
I am thankful for those who still attend on a regular basis. I appreciate your encouragement and prayer support. I am thankful for the past leaders. I am especially thankful to the Lord. I am encouraged by his faithfulness. I hope you are encouraged too.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
God Acts
There have been a lot of Wednesdays between my last post and this one. My best guess is fifteen or sixteen. My promise to myself for 2010 was to write a new post every week. You can see how that has gone.
We started the new year looking at the book of Acts. The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke. It is about the spread of the gospel after Jesus' ascension, the history of the early church.
It turns out that three years with Jesus wasn't enough for the disciples to grasp the kingdom of God. Jesus taught them for forty days after the resurrection. That coupled with the coming of the Holy Spirit gave these men all that they would need to be able to discern the Scriptures (Old Testament) and present the gospel. These "uneducated" men would turn the world upside down!
One thing I would like to note is the presence of Jesus' mother, Mary, in chapter one. She has been a part of God's plan and a witness from the visit by the angel (announcing the birth of Jesus) to the birth of the church (the body of Christ). There was obviously much pain involved but she was truly blessed. She was chosen by the Father, gave birth to the Son, and witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There is so much more. The book of Acts shows the power of God. These ordinary men did extraordinary things by the power of the Spirit, the same Spirit that indwells you and me. In chapter 3 Peter heals a crippled man. When the people notice, he addresses them. He says, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by OUR OWN POWER AND PIETY (emphasis mine) we have made him walk?" It's not just the healing but the power to present the gospel too. A few weeks earlier Peter is denying that he even knows Jesus!
THE SAME SPIRIT THAT HEALED THE CRIPPLE AND GAVE PETER THE POWER TO PREACH DWELLS IN US!! That should encourage all of us!!
We started the new year looking at the book of Acts. The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke. It is about the spread of the gospel after Jesus' ascension, the history of the early church.
It turns out that three years with Jesus wasn't enough for the disciples to grasp the kingdom of God. Jesus taught them for forty days after the resurrection. That coupled with the coming of the Holy Spirit gave these men all that they would need to be able to discern the Scriptures (Old Testament) and present the gospel. These "uneducated" men would turn the world upside down!
One thing I would like to note is the presence of Jesus' mother, Mary, in chapter one. She has been a part of God's plan and a witness from the visit by the angel (announcing the birth of Jesus) to the birth of the church (the body of Christ). There was obviously much pain involved but she was truly blessed. She was chosen by the Father, gave birth to the Son, and witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit.
There is so much more. The book of Acts shows the power of God. These ordinary men did extraordinary things by the power of the Spirit, the same Spirit that indwells you and me. In chapter 3 Peter heals a crippled man. When the people notice, he addresses them. He says, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by OUR OWN POWER AND PIETY (emphasis mine) we have made him walk?" It's not just the healing but the power to present the gospel too. A few weeks earlier Peter is denying that he even knows Jesus!
THE SAME SPIRIT THAT HEALED THE CRIPPLE AND GAVE PETER THE POWER TO PREACH DWELLS IN US!! That should encourage all of us!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Abide In Him, He Will Complete His Work
I knew when we looked at John 15 that Gene would really add a lot to our conversation. Gene is always encouraging us to abide in in Jesus. I would venture to say that this may be his life verse. (I could be wrong.) He encourages us to remain connected to Jesus through the Word of God and prayer.
How important is it that we remain (abide) in Him? John 15:5 says, "..apart from me you can do nothing." Let me repeat, NOTHING! Any good that man claims apart from Jesus is dung.
Another verse that Gene encourages us with is Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
We are God's work. Imagine that. All that we are, have, and do, is the work of God! That blows me away!
Back to John 15, verses four and five says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Sometimes in order to produce more fruit, we need to be pruned. That can be painful at times. I'm sure in your life as well as in mine, we can look back at difficult times and see the hand of God. Also in the midst of these times we can find comfort knowing that it is the work of the Lord.
Gene is constantly encouraging us to abide in Christ. Gene also reminds us that we are the work of God and He will complete His work. I'm encouraged, I hope you are too.
How important is it that we remain (abide) in Him? John 15:5 says, "..apart from me you can do nothing." Let me repeat, NOTHING! Any good that man claims apart from Jesus is dung.
Another verse that Gene encourages us with is Philippians 1:6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
We are God's work. Imagine that. All that we are, have, and do, is the work of God! That blows me away!
Back to John 15, verses four and five says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Sometimes in order to produce more fruit, we need to be pruned. That can be painful at times. I'm sure in your life as well as in mine, we can look back at difficult times and see the hand of God. Also in the midst of these times we can find comfort knowing that it is the work of the Lord.
Gene is constantly encouraging us to abide in Christ. Gene also reminds us that we are the work of God and He will complete His work. I'm encouraged, I hope you are too.
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