Sunday, April 30, 2006

117 Die in Anderson

If you believe as I do that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, was crucified and literally resurrected from the dead you would've been thrilled to attend yesterday's baptism service at New Spring.

117 men, women, and children publically professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and were baptised to symbolize Christ's burial, death and resurrection, and the beginning of their new lives as Christians.

Jesus Christ commanded baptism, but baptism itself doesn't make anyone a Christian. Only faith in Christ alone can do that. Paul tells us "What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" [2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT]

And in being made new, Christians are dead to sin: "Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" "Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace." [Romans 6:2,14]

Although some churches prohibit clapping as irreverent yesterday Pastor P. encouraged it, explaining that if we can celebrate at football games, "We sure can do it here today."

I'm pretty sure there was some celebrating and rejoicing yesterday in Heaven, too.

* * * * *

Enjoy this morning's playlist on your drive up Highway 81 to catch Part 3 of Da Vinci Decoded:

Holy Holy Holy
Blessed Be Your Name
He Reigns

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