University of Southern Mississippi

The Benefactor

Oseola McCarty was born on March 7, 1908 in Wayne County, Mississippi. She
moved to Hattiesburg, MS as a child. She had to quit school in the sixth
grade to care for her ailing aunt. McCarty never married and never had
children. She supported herself by working as a washerwoman, the same trade
of her grandmother. She worked as a washerwoman until her arthritis forced
her to quit in 1994, at the age of 86.

Yet McCarty became the most famous benefactor of the University of Southern
Mississippi.

It wasn't that she made a lot of money at her occupation; her occupation was
rather low-paying. But she was very frugal and saved a lot of her income
throughout her life. She never owned a car and therefore walked wherever
she went. She would push a shopping cart nearly a mile to get groceries.
She didn't subscribe to a newspaper because she viewed it an extravagant
expense. The house in which she lived was a gift from her uncle.

It was announced in July 1995 that she had established a trust through which
at her death, a portion of her life's savings would be left to the
university to provide scholarships for deserving students in need of
financial assistance. The amount was estimated at $150,000. According to
an entry in Wikipedia, "With the assistance of a local attorney, for whom
she had done laundry, and [her] bank's trust officer, using slips of paper
and dimes, to represent 10% shares, McCarty set out the future distribution
of her estate. She set aside one dime (10%) for her church, one dime (10%)
each for three relatives, and the remaining dimes (60%) for Southern Miss.
She wanted others to have the opportunity for the education she never
received.

McCarty received scores of awards and other honors recognizing her selfless
spirit including a Presidential Citizens Medal presented to her by President
Bill Clinton during a special White House Ceremony.

McCarty died from liver cancer in 1999 at the age of 91. She will be fondly
remembered for her selflessness which will continue to enable others to be
blessed with a college education.

Her generosity points to the selflessness of the Greatest Benefactor: "For
you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet
for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become
rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Because of God's love and our desperate need for salvation from sin, Jesus
left the glories and splendor of heaven to come to this earth to live as a
man and then to go to the cross to die for the sins of this world. Read
Philippians 2:5-11, a passage that beautifully describes what He gave up in
order to save us. He became "poor" so that we could be "rich" - rich with
all of the spiritual blessings that are found in Him, blessings such as
forgiveness from sin, peace that surpasses all understanding, and the hope
of eternal life in a beautiful place called Heaven.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Jesus became "poor" and suffered and died so that YOU could become "rich"
with spiritual, eternal blessings. He's the Great Benefactor and you can be
the recipient of His blessings if you will only accept them on His terms.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Oseola McCarty" entry on www.wikipedia.com

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What is truth?

 

THE LOVE, GRACE, AND MERCY OF GOD

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-5).

 

No one who believes the Bible to be the divinely inspired word of God doubts for a single moment the truthfulness of the above texts.  No one believes (or should believe) that he or she can earn or merit salvation from sin and eternal salvation in heaven.  These are possible only because of the love, grace, and mercy of God.  But the love, grace, and mercy of God must be accepted in humble submission and obedience by the person who would be the beneficiary of God's love, grace, and mercy (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9).

 

Through the love, grace, and mercy of God . . . 

 

1. Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 15:3-4).

 

2. The church was purchased with the blood of Christ and established by Him (Acts 20:28; Matthew 16:18).

 

3. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets of the New Testament into all truth (John 16:13; Ephesians 3:3-5). 

 

4. People were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). 

 

5. The first members of the church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers (Acts 2:42). 

 

6. Paul wrote the commandments of the Lord (I Corinthians 14:37). 

 

7. Strict warning was given about perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). 

 

8. It was revealed that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:16). 

 

9. God's people are exhorted to walk worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). 

 

10. We are told to avoid false teachers who use "smooth words and flattering speech" and to be wary of "captivating" speakers (Romans 16:17-18; Colossians 2:8). 

 

11. Timothy was urged to hold the pattern of sound words (I Timothy 1:13). 

 

12. Christians are instructed to deny themselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-14).

 

How are you responding to the love, grace, and mercy of God?

 

Hugh Fulford

 

www.myfox8.com

A Forever Family

A Michigan kindergarten class recently took a memorable field trip. They
went to a court house! They weren't witnessing a trial; they were
supporting a classmate, Michael Clark, Jr., age 5, who was being adopted.

Andrea Melvin and Dave Eaton became Michael's foster parents about a year
ago, but now they were adopting him into their family. Michael wanted his
classmates from Wealthy Elementary in East Grand Rapids with him. His
classmates were present, holding red and pink paper hearts on sticks,
celebrating with Michael and his new family.

"I understand we are joined by Michael's kindergarten classroom and
teacher," 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner told
those gathered on December 5, 2019, which happened to be the annual Adoption
Day. "Welcome to the courthouse on this amazing day," she said.

"The lesson is put a little love in your heart. We rise when we support
others," said their teacher, Kerry McKee.

When we were "orphaned" due to our sins, the Heavenly Father revealed His
plan and purpose to adopt us into His Forever Family. In order to adopt us
into His holy family, we would have to be redeemed from our sins. The
Heavenly Father gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins
on the cross. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

If we accept the Father's gracious offer, He will adopt us into His Forever
Family, the church of Jesus Christ. And one day, He will take us to His
eternal home in heaven.

God will save, adopt into His family, and give eternal life to those who
place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He
will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of
His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

The Apostle wrote to some who had accepted the Father's invitation to
adoption: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to
fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba,
Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's
children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and
co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we
may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not
worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:15-18
NIV).

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God!" (1 John 3:1).

He wants YOU in His family.

Won't YOU accept His offer?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Michigan boy's entire kindergarten class shows
up to adoption hearing: 'Too cute!'" by Caleb Parke of www.foxnews.com and
"Boy invites entire kindergarten class to his adoption hearing" by the web
staff of www.myfox8.com.

Must One Be Baptized To Be Saved?

"Must" expresses compulsion, obligation, or certainty. The Bible clearly teaches that one must be baptized to be saved.

1. The Jews On Pentecost Were Baptized To Be Saved: When they asked, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37), they were told, "Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ..." (Acts 2:38). Those who gladly received his word were baptized (Acts 2:41).

2. The People Of Samaria Were Baptized To Be Saved: When Philip went down to Samaria, he preached Christ (Acts 8:5), and "both men and women were baptized" (Acts 8:12).

3. The Man Of Ethiopia Was Baptized To Be Saved: Philip preached Jesus to the man of Ethiopia (Acts 8:35). Upon the man's confession of faith in Christ (Acts 8:37), "both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and he baptized him" (Acts 8:38).

4. Saul of Tarsus Was Baptized To Be Saved: Saul was instructed, by Jesus, to go into Damascus where he would be told what he "must do" (Acts 9:6). Ananias told Saul, "arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Acts 9:18 shows that Saul arose and was baptized.

5. Cornelius And His Household Were Baptized To Be Saved: This devout man, along with his house, upon hearing the Word of God, were commanded "to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48).

6. Lydia And Her Household Were Baptized To Be Saved: Lydia and her household heard the Word of the Lord spoken by Paul and were baptized (Acts 16:14,15).

7. The Philippian Jailer and His Household Were Baptized To Be Saved: He asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). He believed (Acts 16:;31, was penitent (Acts 16:33) and was baptized (Acts 16:33).

8. The Corinthians Were Baptized To Be Saved: Acts 18:8 says, "many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were baptized."

9. The Ephesians Were Baptized To Be Saved: When those of Ephesus heard God's Word, "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5).

Have you been baptized to be saved?

- by Johnie Paul Edwards

 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT BAPTISM?

    The word “baptize” is found 63 times in the NT; the word “baptized” 45 times; and the word “baptism” 26 times. The Greek word is baptizo which is not simply translated into English but is transliterated. This means that a new English word was formed instead of merely employing an already existing English term, as is normally the case in translation. 

    Here are some other important concepts that the NT teaches concerning baptism.

1. The Greek word baptizo, according to Thayer, means, “immersion or submersion.” Our knowledge of Greek is unnecessary to make this determination as the Scripture clearly reveals that baptism is by burial (see Rom. 6:4 and Col. 2:12; also notice Jn. 3:23; Mk. 1:5; 1:9-10; Acts 8:36-39). Sprinkling and pouring simply aren’t baptism, by definition or example. 
2. The first time baptism is found in the NT is in regard to the baptism of John (see Mt. 3:6). This was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (see Mk. 1:4) in which one confessed his sins (Mt. 3:6) in preparation for Christ and His kingdom (see Mt. 3:1-3). It is important to note that this baptism did not place one into the church since Christ had not yet established His church (see Acts 19:1-5). 
3. Baptism was a part of the message that was to be preached to the whole world beginning in Jerusalem when the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit (see Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16). 
4. While baptism is not merely a symbol of Christ’s death, it certainly does represent that. In baptism one conforms to the likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (see Rom. 6:1-6). 
5. Baptism is necessary for salvation, just like belief (Jn. 3:16), repentance (Lk. 13:3), and confession (Rom. 10:9-10).
6. The motive for being baptized is seen and commanded in passages like Acts 2:38 where repentance and baptism are stated to be “for the forgiveness of sins.” The motivation for baptism is designated in the word “for.” Some, projecting their belief back into this passage have suggested that the word “for” should be translated “because.” This can’t be discussed at length here, but suffice it to say that no reputable translation uses the word because here, and one can compare the very same grammatical structure found in  Matthew 26:28 and see that the rendering of the word “for” in that instance, would make no sense. Additionally, other passages clearly state the connection between baptism and the remission of sins and salvation (see Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pt. 3:21). 
7. The point of baptism is when God adds a precious soul to the body of Christ, or the church (see Acts 2:41, 47; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13). 
8. When one is baptized for forgiveness of sins, he or she receives “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; also see Acts 5:32). This should not be confused with a miraculous ability of the Spirit given to the apostles when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 or the household of Cornelius in Acts 10. 
9. Finally, we see that by the time Paul wrote the book of Ephesians, there was but “one baptism” (see Eph. 4:5). We are forced to conclude this was the baptism the apostles were to proclaim to the whole world (see Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47; Acts 1:8), a baptism in water (see Acts 8:38), of a penitent believer (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38), for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), that adds one to the Lord’s body (see Acts 2:41, 47) and in        which one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Daren Schroeder

Common questions about baptism

Getting Baptism Right

For your baptism to be as God has commanded it, the following must be understood and accepted:

1.   Baptism is a burial in water in which you are spiritually buried with Christ into His death, and raised to walk a new life in Christ, just as Christ was raised from his death and burial. In other words, in baptism one is born again.

2.   Baptism as burial is why baptism must be immersion, which is what the Greek for baptism means.

3.   The idea that saving baptism, as referred to in places like Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Galatians 3:27, is a Spirit baptism and not water baptism, is proven totally false by reading Matthew 28:19; Acts 22:16, 8:36-39 and 10:47-48 and Galatians 3:2-9,22-4:7,28-29. The Spirit is given by God when the repentant believer is baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ.

4.   It’s the Holy Spirit who puts the Christ into Christianity. John 1:29-34; 3:3-7; 6:63; 7:37-39; 16:7-15; 20:17-23; Acts 1:6-8; 2:1-39; Romans 8:1-11; 15:13; Galatians 3:13-14; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Ephesians 2:11-22.

5.   Water baptism brings about the new birth of water and the Spirit. The water terminates the old; the Spirit germinates the new. Compare John 3:5 with 1 Peter 1:3,18-25 and 3:18-22 and you see that being born again happens when you obey Jesus in water baptism - Christ then baptizing you in the Holy Spirit. “The washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5.

6.   Baptism is for believers only – not for little babies who do not understand what they’re doing.

7.   Baptism can only be legitimate if the person being baptized is committed to repentance – a change

       in the direction of one’s life. See Acts 2:37-41.

8.   Baptism is where God saves you through faith; it is not a symbol of salvation by faith before

    baptism. If you compare Romans 5:1-2 with Romans 6:3-7, you will see that being justified by faith happens when baptism frees you from sin. The word “freed” in Romans 6:7 is actually the same Greek word as “justified” in Romans 5:1. A few translations render Romans 6:7 with the word “justified.” See ASV, ERV, Darby and Douay Rheims. “Freed” in Romans 6:18,22; 8:2,21; John 8:32 is a common Greek word for free. The justified are those legally freed from sin! As one of God’s true teachers of His truth, you will understand this if you “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. Too many so-called preachers will not be approved of God because instead of putting in the work to properly understand God’s word, they are merely passing on the traditions of their denominations – traditions that contradict God’s word. See Matthew 15:1-14. The Brethren Movement (Gospel Hall) use the Darby version that has “justified” in Romans 6:7, but they do not teach the truth on baptism!! Thus they contradict what their own Bible version teaches!!

9.When you are being baptized, you must have faith that in your baptism God is causing you to be born again spiritually. You should know and trust what God is doing in the water of your baptism.

10.      Assuming that any baptism, for whatever purpose, is legitimate – just as long as you are baptized -  is a false assumption because such a view would legitimize every false teaching on baptism.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore

and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the

end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26-29

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this

crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about

three thousand souls. Acts 2:37-41

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:1-7

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:11-15

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying[i]. 7 There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:1-7

… one Lord, one faith, one baptism…  Ephesians 4:5

“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around

me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8

And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:6-16

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be

born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead … knowing that you were

ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or

gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown

before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass  and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:3,18-25

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:18-22

There is no Scripture that says that baptism is a symbol of your previous salvation by faith alone, otherwise explained as the outward sign of an inward grace. This is a lie Satan is using to deceive millions.

There is no Scripture that authorises the baptizing of babies. “Household baptisms” in places like Acts 10 and Acts 16 refer to those households in which all the householders baptized were able to understand the gospel and obey the command to be baptized.  Read those chapters in Acts yourself to see this.

The water-baptized, born again believer, spiritually accesses God and Christ in the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:8; Acts 11:15, 10:47, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 12:13, Ephesians 2:18.

If you don’t believe all of this, then your baptism is worthless. Wake up and see the light!!

for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:14-17

Note that in the earliest days of the church in Ephesus (see Acts 19:1-7 above), the disciples there had to have their understanding of baptism corrected so that they could receive the Spirit when they were properly baptized. They had previously been wrongly baptized under the influence of Apollos’s teaching that misunderstood the one baptism that was appropriate in the New Covenant. Many of today’s so-called Christian preachers misunderstand and even distort God’s word. 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:14-18.

Believing in the death and resurrection of Christ will lead to being saved by that death and resurrection, Romans 10:9-10, when, in faith, we connect to His death and resurrection in the waters of baptism and thus receive the gift of God: eternal life in Chri

 

---

[i] The speaking in tongues and prophesying that accompanied this baptism was God’s way of confirming the legitimacy of this salvation of the Gentiles through faith and baptism. Notice how such confirmation was also promised by Jesus in Mark 16:15-20. As Ephesians 4:5 points out, there is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. All people being saved are saved in the same way. We make disciples of all nations the same way for each disciple.

Should We Celebrate Christmas As a Religious Holiday?

Since Christmas is recognized by most people as a religious Holy Day, it would be good for us to study its meaning. Considering Christmas has the word Christ in it, it should have some connection with the Lord. If there is a connection with the Lord, we should be able to turn to the New Testament and read of this observance. However, upon a careful examination, we fail to find a single reference to this day in the word of God.
 

When did men first start observing this special day?

To answer this question, we have to go outside the New Testament. Historians tell us it was nearly three centuries after the death of Christ before a day was set aside for a special observance for His birth. "Christmas was for the first time celebrated in Rome in 354, in Constantinople in 379, and in Antioch in 388." (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Norval Geldenhuys, p. 102). A well known preacher during this time mentioned the late origin of Christmas. "Chrysostom, in a Christmas sermon, A.D. 386, says, 'It is not ten years since this day was clearly known to us...'" (Unger Bible Dictionary, p. 196). "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church, and before the fifth century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether January 6th, March 25th, or December 25th." (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 5, p. 641).

 

When was Jesus born?

It comes as a shock to many individuals that the Bible does not tell us when Christ was born; but we are reasonably certain He was not born in December.

Nearly everyone remembers reading about the appearance of an angel to the shepherds. In Luke 2:8 we read, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night." This rules out the birth of Christ as a winter event. "According to this statement, Jesus cannot have been born in December, in the middle of the rainy season, as has been since the fourth century supposed ... According to the Rabbins, the driving forth of the flocks took place in March, the bringing in of them in November..." (Critical and Exegetical Handbook To The Gospels of Mark and Luke, H.A.W. Meyer, p. 273).

Adam Clarke makes this observation: "It was a custom among the Jews to send out their sheep to the deserts, about the Passover, and bring them home at the commencement of the first rain; during the time they were out, the shepherds watched them night and day. As the Passover occurred in the spring, and the first rain began early in the month of Marchesvan, which answers to our part of October and November, we find that the sheep were kept out in the open county during the whole of the summer. And as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the twenty-fifth of December, when no flocks were out in the fields." (Adam Clarke's Commentary, p. 857).
 

Who decided to make December 25 the birthday of Christ?

This credit goes to the Roman Catholic Church. They explain it like this: "Numerous theories have been put forward through the last 2,000 years to explain Dec. 25 as Christmas Day. The most likely one, however, the one most generally accepted by scholars now, is that the birth of Christ was assigned to the date of the winter solstice. This date is Dec. 21 in our calendar, but was Dec. 25 in the Julian calendar which predated our own ... The solstice, when days begin to lengthen in the northern hemisphere, was referred to by pagans as the 'Birthday of the Unconquered Sun'. During the third century, the Emperor Aurelian proclaimed Dec. 25 as a special day dedicated to the sun-god, whose cult was very strong in Rome at that time. Even before this time, Christian writers already had begun to refer to Jesus as the Sun of Justice. It seemed quite logical, therefore, that as Christianity begun to dominate the religious scene in the Roman Empire, the date of the 'new-born sun' should be chosen as the birthdate of Christ. Apparently, it bothers some people that the date for Christmas has its roots in a pagan feast. Be that as it may, it's the best explanation we have for the choice of Dec. 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus." (The New Question Box, p. 28-29).

This December observance originated with pagans as a feast day to their sun-god, Mithra. It was changed into a "Christian holy day" by the Roman Catholic Church.
 

Don't you think we need to observe the birth of Christ?

People often ask this question, but I usually ask this in return, "Why should we?" 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that God has given us "all things that pertain to life and godliness." Everything I need to know of a religious nature has been revealed in the Bible. 1 Peter 4:11 says that if I speak, I must speak "as the oracles of God." If God would have wanted us to observe the birth of Christ, he most assuredly would have told us!

How should I remember Jesus? God has left three memorials to Christ -- all of which point to His death and resurrection.
 

• First, water baptism reminds us of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4).
• Second, the Lord's supper is a constant reminder of His death. As we partake of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, we "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
• Third, our worship on the Lord's day, the first day of the week, reminds us of His resurrection (Matthew 28:1; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).

 
God does not want His Son remembered as a baby lying in a manger, but as the suffering Saviour and now resurrected Redeemer.

- by David Padfield

 

Reader's Digest

The Hand

From the editors of Reader's Digest comes this true and inspiring story:

When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful,
she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be
thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully
laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.

What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas's picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found
close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas's drawing was simply this: a hand.

A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. "I think it must be the
hand of God that brings us food," said one student.

"A farmer," said another, "because they grow the turkeys."

"It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us." "I think," said Lavinia, who was always so
serious, "that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of
them."

Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When
she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was.

Douglas mumbled, "It's yours, Teacher."

Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did
that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas.

Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody's Thanksgiving - not the material
things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.*

From the hand of God comes every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

"For the LORD is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.
The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land."
-- Psalm 95:3-5

Our salvation and the gift of eternal life is a gift from the hands of God, for Jesus, God's Son,
had nails driven through His hands and His feet onto the cross where He died for your sins and mine.
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for
righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

How much does God love us? Look at what His hands have done for us.

Won't YOU accept His offer of salvation and eternal life on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent

* From "This Teacher's Story Will MAKE Your Thanksgiving,"
https://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/thanksgiving-story/

David A. Sargent, Minister

Paul Brand

Paul Brand was a brilliant medical doctor who did pioneering work in the treatment of leprosy. He
received the Albert Lasker Award, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the
Queen, served as the only Westerner on the Mahatma Ghandi foundation, and had medical procedures
named after him.

Brand grew up in India, where his parents were missionaries. At the age of nine he was sent to
boarding school in England. Five years later, while a 14 year old student there, he received a
telegram informing him that his beloved father had died of blackwater fever. Brand cherished fond
memories of his father, a man who had a great love for people and a great love for the natural world
around him.

A short time after he received news of his father's death Paul Brand received a letter from his
father. It had been posted prior to his father's death but took some time to reach Brand as it came
by ship. Its words impacted deeply upon the young son. Paul's father described the hills around
their home and then finished with these words: "God means us to delight in His world. It isn't
necessary to know botany or zoology or biology in order to enjoy the manifold life of nature. Just
observe. And remember. And compare. And be always looking to God with thankfulness and worship
for having placed you in such a delightful corner of the universe as the planet Earth." *

There is another letter from a Father concerning which I want to encourage you to read and reflect
deeply. It's a letter from the Father who put YOU "in such a delightful corner of the universe, the
plant Earth." Actually, He created the world and the universe (Genesis 1:1).

This "letter" - the Bible - is actually a volume of 66 books with one central theme: the salvation
of man through Christ to the glory of God. Every book of this "letter" contributes to that theme.
It tells how:

God created man and woman in His own image but how we have marred that image through our sin
(Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23).

Even though we have sinned, God still loves us. He loves us so much that He gave His one and only
Son to die for our sins so that we can be saved and become His children (John 3:16; Romans 8:15-17).

Here's a wonderful statement from the Letter: "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

In His letter we learn how to have our sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life: place
your faith and trust in Christ (Acts 16:30-31), turn from your sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31),
confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the
forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Then, continue to walk in the light of His "letter" (His Word) and
the promise is that He will continue to cleanse us from sin (1 John 1:7-9).

The Father sent you a letter. It's worth reading, studying, and doing what it says. It reveals the
Father's love and how you can abide in His love for an eternity.

-- David A. Sargent

* Source: Reported in Philip Yancey, Soul Survivor (Hodder & Stoughton, 2001) as cited in
www.storiesforpreaching.com on "thankfulness."