The One Baptism #1

The hand-off is one of the most important exchanges between a quarterback and a running back. It is often fraught with fumbles and perilous miscues. Because of the critical nature of the hand-off and the numerous things that can go wrong, top athletes practice this over and over and over again. As Christian athletes the exchange of truth from one person to another; one generation to another is far more important and fraught with many more obstacles. Correctly handling the word of God is essential to being a profitable teacher of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

One such truth, under constant bombardment from the denominational world is the biblical topic of baptism. Satan’s swarming defense makes this exchange difficult at times. Baptism is the rejected command in the plan of salvation. Jesus commanded (Mark 16:16) and men reject it, either because of ignorance, prejudice or dishonesty. Pride often moves people from ignorance and prejudice to dishonesty once the truth of God’s word has been clearly handed off.

The importance of baptism cannot be biblical denied due to the fact that is has several significant attachments. Baptism is attached to...

· The blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:3; Jho. 19:34).

· The body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:25; cf. 1:22-23).

· All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3; Gal. 3:27).

· The resurrection of Christ (1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12).

· The forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

· Heirs of God (Gal. 3:26-29; 1 Jho. 3:1).

So, what the Bible says about baptism - no matter how controversial - no matter how contrary to what we have been taught - we must be willing to accept biblical truth - the whole truth and nothing but the truth (Jho. 8:32).

Rick

Campaign Portage

If you went to Ludington, MI with us a couple of years ago, you know that we leave from the Lindsay, OK building Thursday night (AUG 14th) and drive all night long into the next day till we get to Portage on Friday. We will then spend the rest of Friday resting.

Saturday begins our efforts to reach out into the neighborhoods. We will door knock well into the next week. One day will be set aside for recuperation before we return home.

Beginning Sunday morning we will meet at the tent for worship. Start praying for the meeting and campaign.

More to come,

rick

Portage Michigan (August 2014)

Calling all campaigners to check in for the campaign. 

(405) 428.2440

Lessons in Lyrics at Lovelady

Friday, April 25th

6:00 pm – Food & Fellowship – Lovelady Old Gym

Saturday, April 26th

1:00 pm – Congregational Singing

1:30 pm – “Our God, He Is Alive” – Mike Bonner

2:30 pm – “Do All In The Name” – Richard Rutledge

 3:30 pm – “Where No One Stands Alone” – Rick Popejoy

Dinner On The Grounds

6:00 pm – “We Saw Thee Not” – John Hall

7:00 pm – “Just One Way” – Kerry Clark

Sunday, April 27th

10:00 am – “Sunshine In My Soul” – Jacob Rutledge

11:00 am – “Worthy Art Thou” – Richard Massey

Lunch On The Grounds

1:30 pm – “If We Never Meet Again” – Foy Forehand

Lovelady, Texas
Contact person is Jeff Rollo

Readiness

A United States Army officer told of the contrast in his pupils during two different eras of teaching at the artillery training school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma (Home of the Field Artillery). In 1958-60 the attitude was so lax that the instructors had a problem getting the men to stay awake to hear the lectures. During the 1965-67 classes, however, the men, hearing the same basic lectures, were alert and took copious notes. What made the difference in the class of 65? They knew that in less than six weeks they would be facing the enemy in Vietnam.

Friends, do we not realize that each of us are facing a power enemy today? This is why Peter declared, "Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). We are in a spiritual battle and Satan is doing all that he can to bring us down. The question that we must ask ourselves is are we lax in our preparation for the battle? Are we awake to the dangers that are ahead? Are we studying carefully our field manual, the Bible? Are we implementing these battle tested procedures in the heat of our daily skirmishes with temptation? Are we alert to and content against the enemies' deceptions, false doctrine? Beloved, "war the good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18), "fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Tim. 6:12), "be watchful" (1 Pet. 5:8), and "be ready unto every good work" (Tit. 3:1).

Tom Moore