By: Undre Griggs, Jr There are many thoughts and considerations that pass through the mind of someone thinking about being baptized. A person could be wondering if baptism is necessary to be saved. Mark 16:16 (ESV): Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. A person could be contemplating if they understand enough to commit to being a Christian. Romans 10:9 (NIV): If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Do you know why God only requires us to understand Jesus is His son and that He was raised from the dead in order for us to be baptized? It primary has to do with the gift of the Holy Spirit. You receive the Holy Spirit once you are baptized and it will help you better your understanding of God. Acts 2:38 (ESV): And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12 (ESV): Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. Quite simply, you cannot lean on your own understanding when deciding when you know enough to be baptized. You have to trust in the Lord’s wisdom and understand that you will always be learning. There will never be a point in your Christian walk when you can confidently say, “I have it all figured out”, so don’t wait another day to be a Christian. Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV): Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and God wants us to imitate Him. Similar to the relationship of parent/child, we teach our children how to mature physically while God is teaching us how to mature spiritually. Also in like fashion, it our responsibility as children of God to correctly mimic the example provided. The best way for any child to show love to their parent is through obedience. Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV): Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Mimicking God is the only way to stay on the path of righteousness. 3 John 1:11 (ESV): Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. For a Christian to endure suffering, they will need to mimic God’s mindset. 1 Peter 4:1 (ESV): Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, To understand and live holy, one needs to understand and mimic God. Leviticus 11:45 (NIV): I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Before you are baptized for the remission of sin, you are of the world and surrounded in darkness. God provides the light that leads to joy and happiness. Follow that light to salvation by mimicking the examples found in the Bible. Ephesians 5:8-11 (NKJV): For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr Giving your life to Jesus Christ through baptism is necessary to receive the blessing of eternal life. Only after baptism for the remission of sin will you receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ESV): And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. While we understand the blessing of eternal life, we sometimes overlook the blessings of the Holy Spirit here on earth. Besides assisting us with our prayers to Father God, the Holy Spirit produces blessing we would spend an inheritance to secure. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Love: John 13:34-35 (ESV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Joy and Peace: Romans 15:13 (ESV): May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Gentleness and Self Control: Titus 1:8 (ESV): But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Kindness and Patience: 2 Timothy 2:24 (ESV): And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, Goodness and Faithfulness: Proverbs 3:3 (ESV): Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. You will notice obedience to God is the manner in which the Holy Spirit provides the gifts. You cannot be baptized, do nothing to grow your faith, and expect the Holy Spirit to miraculously provide these blessing to you. You have to be diligent in your faith and work to grow it (Revelations 2:10). After baptism; stay in constant prayer, meditating on what is good and pure, reading your Bible daily, and the fruits of the Spirit will be yours.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. The Bible speaks on the difficulties an unbeliever will have understanding the word of God. Are we understanding and long suffering with them as they grow in understanding? 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV): The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. While the challenge an unbeliever will face through their conversion is understood, it is not a pass or excuse for their inaction. God believes He has provided enough evidence for us to be able to conclude that the world did not end up this way by chance.
Romans 1:18-20 (ESV): For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. There is enough evidence for anyone to start the quest for truth. There is enough information for an unbeliever to start to understand something greater than luck is at hand. The role of Christians is to be ready to help build a foundation of truth in love for Jesus Christ. Once that foundation is built, all questions will not be answered, but there is an element of faith that cannot be overlooked. There is enough evidence to understand God exists, but that does not mean all information will be made available. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV): Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek angelos, which means 'messenger'. As messengers of God, angels have many tasks and responsibilities. We recall the angel speaking to Philip when it guided his path to cross the Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts 8:26 (ESV): Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. Angels are often used to minister to the needs of the saints. Acts 5:19 (NKJV): But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” Hebrews 1:14 (ESV): Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Psalms 91:11 (ESV): For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Angels can have a spiritual form and a physical form. Isaiah 6:2 (ESV): Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Hebrews 13:2 (ESV): Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Judges 13:6 (ESV): Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name, Much like us, angels can fall and succumb to sin (which leads to death). Jude 1:6 (ESV): And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day And yes, children have guardian angels who will deliver messages to the Lord. Matthew 18:10 (ESV): “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
|
Dean Road
|