1 John 4:12
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." ESV
No one has ever seen God. But He has designed things so that our love for others provides a great likeness to Himself. If we express Godly (agape)love to those around us, even to those who don't seem to deserve it at all, we are showing others who God is and that He is love. So many have come to know Him by the love His children have shown to each other and the love we show to those that are undeserving of love. What an honor and a privilege that our Lord has seen fit to fill us with His love so that we can show Him to the world.
Lord, we fall so short of showing Your love to the world. We pick and choose those we think deserve to be loved. Forgive us. You flooded us with Your love when we didn't deserve it. Heal our hearts by Your love so that we will love others and give them a glimpse of Who You are. In Your name we pray, Amen.
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Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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THE BAPTISM OF JOHN VERSUS CHRISTIAN BAPTISM BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeletePOINT: Those who reject the Scriptures concerning the purpose of Christian baptism, readily accepts the Biblical account as to the purpose of water baptism performed by John the Baptist.
Christian Baptism: Men are told to believe in Jesus Christ, repent, and be baptized in water for the forgiveness of their sins and they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and who has been baptized shall be saved..
Acts 2:38..."Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Christian baptism men are clothed with Christ.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
John's Baptism: Men are told to repent and be baptized in water for the forgiveness of their sins and to believe in Jesus who was to come. (The Holy Spirit had yet been given).
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Acts 19:4 Paul said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
Christian baptism follows believing in Jesus, and repentance, (repentance means to make the commitment to turn away from sin and turn toward God).
The baptism of John followed repentance, (resolving to sin no more).
Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.
If the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God's purpose by failing to be baptized by John the Baptist; what will be the consequences for those who reject the baptism commanded by Jesus?
Did you ever notice that the proponents of the "faith only" doctrine no not say that "for" in Luke 3:3 means "because of"?
John's baptism was not because their sin were already forgiven. Christian baptism preached on the Day of Pentecost was not because their sins were already forgiven. (Acts 2:38)
Luke 3:7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come.
John's baptism in water was essential to spare them of the wrath to come.
Christian baptism in water is essential to spare us all, of the wrath to come.(Mark 16:16...baptized shall be saved....)
The baptism of John became obsolete on the Day of Pentecost.
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS AVAILABLE UNTIL JESUS RETURNS.
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