Posts with the tag “baptism”

Many churches keep detailed records: attendance, baptisms, restorations, and contribution. Our numbers are typically quite precise. Yet, when the Holy Spirit took attendance of the disciples, He was always inexact. Why, and what can we learn from this?   Read More

When asked, most people who claim to be Christians will also claim that they don't believe in salvation through good works. However, a closer examination of their beliefs may tell a different story.  Read More

When the Israelites took the ark of the covenant with them into a battle against the Philistines, they demonstrated that they thought God dwelled in a box. Are we guilty of trying to put God in boxes today?   Read More

Mark's Gospel is known for its brevity, so why does it begin its account of the deeds of Jesus with an account of His baptism? And what about His baptism was so significant that God the Father spoke in approval? Let's reflect upon Mark's account of the baptism of the sinless Son of God.   Read More

John, who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, baptized people "for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3). So did Peter and the other disciples from the day of Pentecost forward (Acts 2:38). So, why were the disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized according to John's baptism baptized again (Acts 19:1-5)? And, what can we learn from this about Christian baptism?   Read More

Paul lists "one baptism" as an essential element in creating and maintaining the unity of the Christian faith alongside of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It's clearly very important. How would the Ephesians have understood "one baptism," and how should we understand it today?   Read More