This Saturday, July 24th, we have the awesome privilege and celebration of baptizing about 20 people during Blazing Fire's worship service! I will say much more about the significance of baptism on Saturday night, but to whet your whistle for what is coming, read this from Galatians 3:26-27:
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Here's those same two verses in The Word on the Street by Rob Lacey:
"You're all God's kids 'cos you took Jesus the Liberator at his word. The baptism thing symbolized it and now it's a daily habit--like getting dressed. You wouldn't dream of not putting on Jesus. It'd be like going out naked, middle of the winter. 'God's kids' -- that's the only designer label we need!"
And one more paraphrase of that same passage from The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson:
"By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe--Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise."
Baptism doesn't save you. Jesus saved you by his death on the cross that set you free from a life of destruction and shame. Your agreement with his sacrifice that makes you right with God is what allows you to enjoy what he already paid for in full. Baptism is our agreement with heaven that our union with Christ and our new life in him is complete! Now it's time to start living it out!
Let's go, Saints!!
(If you desire to be baptized Saturday night, email immediately to let me know.)
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Here's those same two verses in The Word on the Street by Rob Lacey:
"You're all God's kids 'cos you took Jesus the Liberator at his word. The baptism thing symbolized it and now it's a daily habit--like getting dressed. You wouldn't dream of not putting on Jesus. It'd be like going out naked, middle of the winter. 'God's kids' -- that's the only designer label we need!"
And one more paraphrase of that same passage from The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson:
"By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe--Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise."
Baptism doesn't save you. Jesus saved you by his death on the cross that set you free from a life of destruction and shame. Your agreement with his sacrifice that makes you right with God is what allows you to enjoy what he already paid for in full. Baptism is our agreement with heaven that our union with Christ and our new life in him is complete! Now it's time to start living it out!
Let's go, Saints!!
(If you desire to be baptized Saturday night, email immediately to let me know.)