Report: Portage, Michigan

A team of twenty-five devoted men and women from Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri joined their brethren in Portage, Michigan for an old fashion tent meeting and campaign. We sent out two fifteen passenger vans completely full each day for five days and knocked just under 5000 doors. We talked with hundreds of the residents of the Portage/Kalamazoo area. It was certainly our privilege to converse with atheist, Hindus, to fallen members of the churches of Christ. 

We experienced the joy of five baptisms wherein souls had their sins washed away and were added to the Lord's church. Thirteen individuals were restored back in fellowship with the Lord God Almighty and if my conversations with the brethren in Portage was any indication, the brethren were enlightened, encouraged and edified. I know that the brethren who came to help in the campaign were blessed beyond measure for having participated. The work was hard but fulfilling. 

We continue to offer up our prayers before the throne of God for the continued work and spiritual success of the brethren in Portage, Michigan. 

We now have five areas that are interested in campaigns at this time, if you would like to talk to someone about a campaign in your area, please email divinereflections@hotmail.com

The One Baptism #6

The one baptism of Ephesians 4:4 is a burial, an immersion in water (Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12), in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5; Mat. 28:19),  in order to receive the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) administered only to a penitent believer (Acts 2:38; 8:37; Mark 16:16). When one of theses element is lacking, a “re-baptism” is commanded (cf. Acts 19:1-5).

The importance of this one baptism cannot be biblical denied due to the fact that is has several significant attachments. Baptism is attached one 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) and becoming an heirs of God (Gal. 3:26-29; 1 Jho. 3:1).

Herein are five positive principles involved in this one baptism, without which, baptism is of little or no value to the one who has become a child of God.

¶ Baptism demands a new life (Rom. 6:4).

¶ Baptism demands new affections and interest (Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:1-2).

¶ Baptism demands a new spirit (Jho. 3:3, 5; 2 Tim. 1:7; Gal. 5:22-23).

¶ Baptism demands a new perspective (2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7; 1 Jho. 1:7; Phi. 2:5).

¶ Baptism demands a new God (1 The. 1:3, 8-9).

For far too long men have overlooked the most significant thing regarding baptism, which is a yielded spirit (Rom. 6:16-17). This is the initiatory and primary step regarding any God-given command. God is not looking for a set of mindless, heartless drones. He is looking for men who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jho. 4:23-24).

Rick

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The One Baptism #5

Most people do not pause to consider the spiritual significance of baptism in the plan of salvation. Often, in our own eagerness to defend the truth, we fail to teach and to preach on baptism’s spiritual importance. It is the perfect spiritual representation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5).

Many years ago, brother Perry B. Cotham rightly identified three spiritual imperatives with regards to salvation:

 There must be a change of heart (i.e., the intellect and emotions) by faith. This is the accepted element of salvation.

‚ There must be a change of mind (i.e., the will) by repentance. This is the most difficult and often lost element of salvation.

ƒ There must be a change of state/relationship by baptism. This is the rejected element of salvation.

There are many religious people in this world, good people, who have altered their hearts by faith; they have altered their minds by repentance; but they have been deceived into thinking that they are already in a right relationship with God, either without or before baptism. This is not just a lie - it is a false lie.

The authority of men should be set aside and the authority of Jesus (Mat. 28:18; Col. 3:17) should be restored to the people. The doctrines of men must go - and the apostolic doctrine must remain (Acts 2:42). “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold now is the day of salvation… so why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:2; Acts 22:16).

Rick

The One Baptism #4

Some may be asking, “Why is all this discussion about the one baptism so important, anyway?” This is a very good question and one that deserves an equally good answer. First, let me suggest that it is a biblical topic and therefore it is important. God does not concern Himself with how you brew your tea or weather you drink sweet or unsweet but He is concerned and therefore has revealed to us the process of obeying the gospel (Rom. 10:13, 16-17).

Second, as revealed in God’s inspired revelation, baptism stands between, as a doorway to some very important and necessary items for the lost sinner:

Baptism stands between the alien sinner and...

¶ Salvation from his sins - Mark 16:16.

¶ Having his sins washed away - Acts 22:16.

¶ Being saved - 1 Peter 3:21.

¶ Putting on Christ - Galatians 3:27.

¶ Reaching Jesus’ death - Romans 6:3.

¶ Walking in newness of life - Romans 6:4.

¶ Belonging to Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13.

¶ Being in the One Body - 1 Corinthians 12:13.

So, what would hinder a person from submitting to the one baptism? A lack of faith (Mark. 16:16; Acts 8:37); a lack of repentance (Acts 2:38); a lack of knowledge and understanding of divine revelation (Rom. 10:17); a rejection of the counsel of God (Luke 7:30); or maybe procrastination (Acts 24:25).

Rick