Yesterday we had held a baptism service, our first as a church for about a decade. It was wonderful to watch as many of our youth, who have grown up in the church and matured under the word of God, made public declarations of their faith and hope in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Please join us in praying for them as they go on living for Him.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison– 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 3:18-21
It was good for me, as an established Christian, to be reminded of these key truths, that Jesus died and rose again, taking upon himself the punishment for my sin and making a way for me to recieve forgiveness and a new standing in relationship with God. Baptism is an event in the life of a follower of Christ (mine took place in a swimming pool aged 14) but it is also a crucial truth that should affect our lives. On a daily basis should be immersed in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit and living the life that He won for us. Praise God for newness of life today.