Winter

Winter is here, I know this because I have spent several days over the last few weeks shoveling snow.  Now it has not been a lot but Since I have had time I spent extra time doing a few extra driveways and sidewalks in the neighborhood.  The fun part is to see if you can do it without being caught, the secret neighbor good deed as it were.
So far only one neighbor has caught me, she was out yesterday while I was doing my driveway, a little left over from Sundays storm but not much, and she was getting her mail and thanked me for doing their driveway during the last  big storm (several inches of snow that time).   Ok so when they are elderly and home all the time it is harder to do something for them without being caught.

I also know it is winter because it is getting colder.  Yesterday was -2 here in town, of course it was -35 in Yellowstone Wyoming so I could be thankful we were not that cold.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying,
“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Mark 16:16

Mark 16:16

Mark 16:16. He that believeth. – That is, he that believeth the gospel (verse 15). It was to be preached in order that it might be believed, and belief, both on this account, and because it is, from the nature of the case, a prerequisite to repentance and obedience, is the first act of compliance with its demands,

and is baptized. – The collocation of the words, and the fact that baptism is an act of obedience, which could not be without faith, shows that baptism is to be preceded by faith, This commission both authorizes the apostles to baptize believers, and restricts them to believers as the subjects of baptism. No comment can make this clearer than it is made by the words of the commission itself. It is impossible, therefore, that the apostles could have found authority in their commission for baptizing infants, and it is equally impossible for modern Pedobaptists to find it (Comp. Matt. 28:19).

shall be saved. – To be saved is to be made safe. It implies that the person saved was in danger, or in actual distress, and that the danger or the distress is removed. When the term refers to the eternal state it includes the resurrection from the dead, and perpetual safety from sin and suffering. But death and all suffering are but the consequences of sin, and therefore to be made safe from sin exhausts the idea of the salvation provided in the gospel. When the term “saved” is used in reference to the state of the Christian in this world, as it frequently is (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 1:18, 15:2; Eph. 2:5; Tit. 3:5), it means that he is made safe from his past sins, which is effected by pardon and can be effected in no other way. If it be said that when a man is once saved he is saved forever, because he can not fall away, still it must be granted that the salvation affirmed of him includes the present forgiveness of his past sins. Consequently, in the statement, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” the salvation promised must include at least the forgiveness of sins, whatever it may be supposed to include in addition to this. It really includes no more than this, and is equivalent to the promise of pardon to all who believe and are baptized. If any man’s mind revolts at the idea of placing baptism in such a connection with salvation or the forgiveness of sins, let him remember that it is Jesus who has placed it in this connection, and that when our minds revolt at any of his words or collocation of words, it is not his fault but ours. It is always the result of some misconception on our part. If one should be tempted to say, True, he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes and is not baptized shall also be saved, let him ask himself why Jesus in this formal commission, says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” if the same is true of him who is not baptized. Men do not, on solemn occasions, trifle with words in this way. If the Executive of a State should say to the convicted thieves in the penitentiary, He that will make a written pledge to be an honest man, and will restore fourfold what he has stolen, shall be pardoned, there is not a man in any penitentiary who would expect pardon without the restitution required; and if it were ascertained that the Executive meant by these words to promise pardon to all who would make the pledge, whether they would, being able, make the restitution or not, he would be justly chargeable with trifling, and also with offering different conditions of pardon to the same class of criminals. So in the present case. If he that is not baptized, being capable of the act, is as certainly saved as he that is baptized, the Saviour spoke idle words in the commission, and he offers two plans of pardon to the same class of sinners, showing partiality by offering to release one on easier terms than another. Such is the absurdity in which we are inevitably involved if we allow not the words in question their proper and natural force. When the apostles went out to preach under this commission, they knew only from its terms to whom they should promise pardon, and consequently they never encouraged any person to hope for it previous to baptism, nor gave any unbaptized person reason to think that his sins had already been forgiven. If any of the unbaptized, therefore, are pardoned, it is because God has granted to them more than he has promised. This he may unquestionably do, if the circumstances of individuals shall make it right in his eyes to do so, but of these circumstances He alone can judge, who knows all things and whose judgments are guided by infinite wisdom.

he that believeth not shall be damned. – The term “damned’ has no more reference to the eternal state than the term “saved” in the preceding clause. They both have primary reference to the present state, and the former is the exact counterpart of the latter. The original term means “condemned,” and this should be its rendering. Condemnation already rests on those who believe not (John 3:19), but the apostles are here told that it shall especially rest on those who hear the gospel and believe it not. It rests on them now, and it must, of course, rest on them forever unless, at some subsequent period of life, they shall become believers. In this way the state of condemnation which now exists will reach forward into eternity, unless its cause be removed, in like manner as the state of salvation enjoyed by the baptized believer will reach into eternity, unless it be forfeited by subsequent apostasy. It has frequently been observed, that though Jesus says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” he does not, in stating the ground of condemnation, mention the failure to be baptized as part of it, but simply says, “He that believeth not shall be condemned.” Prom this it is again inferred that baptism is not one of the conditions of pardon. But the conclusion does not follow; for the fact that baptism is not mentioned in stating who shall be condemned, can never remove it from the place it occupies in stating who shall be saved. In the supposed case of the convicts above mentioned, if, after saying to all the convicted thieves, “He that will make a written pledge to be an honest man, and will restore fourfold what he has stolen, shall be pardoned,” the Governor had added, “but he that will not make this pledge shall serve out his time in prison,” none but a crazy thief could think that because restitution is not mentioned in the latter instance he would be pardoned without making restitution. Equally unreasonable is the conclusion in question. The leading thought in the commission is to state the ground on which men would be saved, and not that on which they would be damned. The apostles were to be concerned with saving men, not with damning them; consequently, Jesus tells them in detail on what ground they are promised salvation; but as damnation is his own work, not theirs, he speaks of that comprehensively by naming the one sin of unbelief which renders all acceptable obedience impossible, and is the chief cause of all condemnation. A man should come to the commission, then, not to learn how he may be damned, but how he may be saved; and this it teaches him right plainly.

The assertion, “He that believeth not shall be condemned,” implies that all who hear can believe-that no innate or acquired incredulity can justify unbelief of the gospel. This is asserting the highest possible claim in behalf of the evidences of Christianity, and he who makes the claim is He who will judge the world at the last day. If, in the face of this declaration, any man will venture to the judgment in unbelief, alleging that the evidence is not  sufficient for him, he must settle the issue with Jesus Himself.”

BIBLE STUDY TEXTBOOK; THE GOSPEL OF MARK
by B. W. Johnson and Don DeWelt
A New Commentary, Workbook, Teaching Manual
College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1965, Don DeWelt
http://www.collegepress.com/cp/pdf/05%20Mark.pdf

God from the beginning

1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 We write this to make our joy complete.

What a great into to the book of 1 John, "from the beginning".  Can you imagine what it was like in the beginning?  How wonderful it must have been for John to reflect back and gain strength from that time in his life.  Do you remember when you first came to know Christ as both Lord and Savior?  Remember the joy, the enthusiasm, and how you wanted to share that!  Then DO IT, and DO IT NOW!

Suicide

37th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week
Changing the Legacy of Suicide
September 4th - 10th, 2011

Years ago in college English I read this poem and we talked about it in class. The final was to write about something we had read during the semester.  As I re-read works I read this and realized something that we had not talked about in class.  This poem is talking about someone who committed suicide.  So my final was on that topic.  While in High School I worked with someone who committed suicide and the lingering questions always seemed to be why?  Everything seemed to be going right for this person, why?  It was a common thread I noticed when people generally talked about the subject in terms of the person who had committed suicide, why when things did not seem so bad did this person do this.  Sometimes it is an accumulation of little things that we miss.  So read this poem and think about someone you know you can reach out to and be a friend!

The Unknown Citizen    
by W. H. Auden

(To JS/07 M 378
This Marble Monument
Is Erected by the State)

He was found by the Bureau of Statistics to be
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a
   saint,
For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Instalment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time of year;
When there was peace, he was for peace:  when there was war, he went.
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his
   generation.
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their
   education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

The last two lines have been etched in my mind since I put this topic to this poem.

Was he free?  Was he happy?  The question is absurd:
Had anything been wrong we should certainly have heard.

My response has become Really!  Would have our Should you have?
Open your eyes and be a friend to those around you!

Saved?

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:37-42

But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”
Romans 10:8-13

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 3:18-21

Are you saved?

Living Fossil

Is there such a thing as a Living Fossil?

Read the following the come back and answer a few questions:

Correcting the headline: ‘Coelacanth’ yes; ‘Ancient’ no
http://creation.com/correcting-the-headline-coelacanth-yes-ancient-no

What is a fossil?
I like this definition:
What is a fossil? Simply put, a fossil is the remains or evidence of any creature or plant that once lived on the Earth. (http://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com/what_is_a_fossil.html)

Is it possible to have a living fossil?
Well if a Fossil is the "REMAINS OR EVIDENCE" of any creature or plant that "ONCE LIVED" the I think you would have to say NO to a Living Fossil. It is alive now and it is not a fossil if it is alive. There may be fossil evidence that it also lived in the past but that does not make the current living thing a fossil.

Results of Peter's Sermon in Acts 2

We say then, in view of all this, "that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified." Acts 2:26

The impact of these words can hardly be imagined by you and me. The one for whom all the Jews of ages past had longed and prayed had now arrived, only to be crucified by the very ones for whom He came.

d. The results of the sermon. Acts 2:37-42.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

40. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in. the breaking of bread and the prayers.

37.41 "The immediate results were: first, conviction and inquiry; secondly, instruction and exhortation; and finally obedience, and the addition of those who received the Spirit" (G. Campbell Morgan. Acts Of The Apostles, page 87). These words give us a very fine outline of the results of Peter's message. Let us notice the outline in detail.

The last words of Peter were "Whom ye crucified," now they knew in truth whom they had crucified. Can we not attempt to stand in the place of the persons who heard these words? They crucified the Messiah. And yet it had been predicted by God that the Christ would thus suffer. This did not lessen their personal guilt. To whom should they turn? Could they dare now to look to God, seeing that the blood of His only begotten Son was upon their hands? They were in desperate need of forgiveness, but how to obtain it was the question unanswered in their burdened hearts. It is natural then to hear that cry rising spontaneously from the multitude: "Brethren, what shall we do?" What should they do for what? What was their conscious need? It was for forgiveness that they cried.

We now notice the instruction and exhortation given by Peter in answer to the conviction and inquiry of the Jews.

Peter makes a direct and unhesitating answer to the question. He tells them exactly what they "must do" to be forgiven or to secure the remission of their sins. Says the apostle, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins." How can it be thought that baptism has no connection with the forgiveness of sins when Peter answers the question of forgiveness after this fashion?

(A complete study on the connection of baptism with the remission of sins is given by J. W. McGarvey in his New Commentary On Acts, Vol. I, pages 243-262).

Peter informs the guilty multitude that in addition to the boon of forgiveness by repentance and baptism they were to receive a gift from God, nothing less than the "Holy Spirit." He further tells them that this promise of remission and the gift of the Holy Spirit was expressly provided for them, for their children, and to all that were afar off (doubtless referring to the Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall unto Him. As to how God thus called these persons unto Himself we can best answer by reading the rest of the book and noting that God called Jew and Gentile unto Himself through the preaching of the gospel. (Cf. II Thessalonians 2:14).

We have just noted the words of instruction in verses thirty-eight and thirty-nine; we now note the words of exhortation in verse forty. It was not enough to simply 'state in so many words. the terms of pardon, for those listening had no previous knowledge of this plan of salvation by the grace of God. Hence, we find in verse forty the thought that Peter . spent no little time, and no small . amount of words, "testifying and exhorting" concerning this great salvation. Without doubt' he outlined the' plan of redemption through the death, of Christ. His words on this portion Of the message could, be considered words of testimony or a logical presentation of the soul saving facts: of the gospel,, Then in words of exhortation, or. earnest appeal, he urged them to repent and be baptized and thus appropriate the blood of Christ. By. saying "Save yourselves from this crooked generation" Peter no doubt was referring to what he said in verse thirty-eight when he demanded: action of them in . the form of repentance and baptism. As to being saved "from this crooked generation" it evidently points to the fact that the generation as a whole was eternally lost, and that they should save themselves from it, as from a "sinking ship:

And finally, the obedience and addition of those who received the word. The "receiving of the word" can be understood in the sense that they determined to follow his word and comply with its demands, hence we. find them being baptized.

That 3,000 souls were baptized upon this occasion has posed to some a problem as to the sufficiency of water, time, etc. All of these difficulties are set. aside, however, through a careful consideration of certain historical facts of the city of Jerusalem,

As to the latter portion of the forty-first verse, we can say in the words of Adam Adcock:

"When nothing exists, only, God ban originate it by creation. To form the human race" out of nothing, God had to make the first man and the first woman. To bring the , church of Christ into being, . the Lord created the first Christians on Pentecost by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder that `the multitudes were confounded' and `were all amazed and marveled' and `were perplexed.' Nothing like this occasion ever happened before or again since God rolled the world into space. To speak of Pentecost as the birthday' of the church is a misnomer, improper, nothing can be born without antecedents. or precedents in kind. Adam and Eve had no antecedents in kind; neither had the church. The church is the new creation, The human race was originated in the first pair; the church was created in the first Christians, the original twelve apostles. To say that the church was `born' on Pentecost is to use an inadequate figure; to say that the church was created is to give a proper description of its origin. But the Lord creates only when it is necessary, Creation in process is not identical with birth. There is no indication that the Twelve ever had any baptism in water but John's, The first father and the first mother had to be created; all other human beings are born. The church was created in the apostles as the first Christians; all other Christians come into being by the new birth. Creation is essentially miraculous; birth, old or new, is always by operation of law." (Acts Analyzed, pages 28, 29).

And thus the 3,000 were added to the church created. They were born into the family of God "by the water and the spirit", in contrast the apostles were created as the first members of God's family.

42 The final word as to the results of Peter's sermon can be found in the fruit of faithfulness, The gospel so took hold of the lives of those first converts that they continued steadfastly in worship to God. This worship was expressed in the four items of: (1) the apostles' teaching, (2) the fellowship, or partnership with one another in the common cause, (3) the breaking of bread, or the Lord's Supper, and (4) the prayers.

 

Bible Study Textbook

ACTS MADE ACTUAL

A New Commentary, Workbook, Teaching Manual.

Don De Welt

Ozark Bible College

COLLEGE PRESS

Joplin, Missouri

Copyright 1958

Fifth Printing

December 1961

Bible Geocoding

In general terms Geocoding is locating something geographicly based on text information.  For example if you lived at "41 North Main Street, Buffalo, WY 82834" and typed this into Google it would locate this address, Geocoding.  So the same thing works with some place names in Google.

Now expand that to all the places located in the bible!  So here is a site that does that:

Bible Geocoding
The location of every identifiable place mentioned in the Bible.
http://www.openbible.info/geo/

It is a great site for seeing where things in the bible are located.

Earth Day!

Earth Day!  To celebrate it or not.

Great article here
A Christian Response to Earth Day!
http://www.visionforum.com/news/blogs/doug/2011/04/9402

Check it out.

Resurrection

Resurrection

Easter is almost here, the time we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  So with that in mind I did a little search in E-Sword for the word "RESURRECT" and past them below.  Some good reading to meditate on this week.

As a side question do you know why we celebrate Easter when we do?

Well Easter is on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.  Confused, well think of it this way.  Spring starts when the sun is directly over the equator, this is called the "Spring Equinox".  So then wait for the next full moon, could be that night or 28 days later, then the following Sunday is when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

    Gen 1:14  Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;
So let us use the Lights (stars, sun, moon) to be signs of the season!


He is Alive!  He is Alive and I am forgiven! My Savior Lives!


(Matthew 22:23 NKJV)  The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
(Matthew 22:28 NKJV)  Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her."
(Matthew 22:30 NKJV)  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
(Matthew 22:31 NKJV)  But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
(Matthew 27:53 NKJV)  and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

(Mark 12:18 NKJV)  Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying:
(Mark 12:23 NKJV)  Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."

(Luke 14:14 NKJV)  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."
(Luke 20:27 NKJV)  Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
(Luke 20:33 NKJV)  Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife."
(Luke 20:35 NKJV)  But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;
(Luke 20:36 NKJV)  nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

(John 5:29 NKJV)  and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
(John 11:24 NKJV)  Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
(John 11:25 NKJV)  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

(Acts 1:22 NKJV)  beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
(Acts 2:31 NKJV)  he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
(Acts 4:2 NKJV)  being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
(Acts 4:33 NKJV)  And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
(Acts 17:18 NKJV)  Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
(Acts 17:32 NKJV)  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter."
(Acts 23:6 NKJV)  But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!"
(Acts 23:8 NKJV)  For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
(Acts 24:15 NKJV)  I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
(Acts 24:21 NKJV)  unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.' "

(Romans 1:4 NKJV)  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
(Romans 6:5 NKJV)  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

(1 Corinthians 15:12 NKJV)  Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
(1 Corinthians 15:13 NKJV)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
(1 Corinthians 15:21 NKJV)  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
(1 Corinthians 15:42 NKJV)  So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

(Philippians 3:10 NKJV)  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
(Philippians 3:11 NKJV)  if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

(2 Timothy 2:18 NKJV)  who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

(Hebrews 6:2 NKJV)  of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
(Hebrews 11:35 NKJV)  Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

(1 Peter 1:3 NKJV)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(1 Peter 3:21 NKJV)  There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

(Revelation 20:5 NKJV)  But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
(Revelation 20:6 NKJV)  Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

1 Peter 3:20-21

1 Peter 3:20-21.

Notice how the New King James renders verses 20-21: “…eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

God provided a way for Noah and his immediate family to escape the old world of sin and the penalty it had incurred for disobedience to God’s laws. Noah believed God when He warned him of the Flood, and Noah obeyed God by building the ark. He demonstrated his faith by his obedience (see James 2:17-26). This is the same kind of active, LIVING faith God expects of us today.

Noah was brought up out of the water that destroyed the sinful world and was saved physically. Today, we can be saved spiritually from the eternal penalty of sin—if we really believe Christ died for our sins and if we symbolically bury them in the waters of baptism.

Romans 6:3-9  shows how we are united in the likeness of Christ through baptism

Galatians 3:27 shows we put on Christ through baptism
Ephesians 4:4-6 shows there is just one baptism
Col 2:11-12 shows we are buried with Christ in Baptism to show we will also be raised with Him, a sign of our hope to come.
Hebrews 6:1-2 talks about how baptism of believers is a basic item, with the understanding all believers are baptized believers.
Acts 22:16 Paul was told to Arise and be baptized and wash way your sins, he still unforgiven until he was baptized.
Matthew 28:18-20 we are commanded to Baptize those who would believe.
Mark 16:15-16 Preach to all and those who Believe AND are Baptized will be saved!  Both conditions must be true in this case for the statement to be true.
Acts 2:38 Repent and be Baptized to be saved, this is Peters Response to the crowd.
Acts 2:41, those who received the word were baptized and then their numbers grew by 3000.
Acts 8:12, preaching leads to baptism to create Christians
 Acts 826-39, eunuch is preached to and his first response is "why can't I be baptized".  What Great Preaching by Phillip.  Phillip response "if you believe", isn't it great his preaching lead the eunuch first to understand baptism and Phillip had to confirm his faith.  Preachers today do not even mention baptism most of the time "just believe".  Where is the power behind that, "Repent and be Baptized for the forgiveness of Sin".

Come on lets preach it the way the church at the time of Christ Preached it!
Hear the Word of God, Believe the Word of God, Repent for you Sins, Be Baptized for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holly Spirit.  Then let the Holly Spirit Work in your life to change you and others for his Kingdom

Jesus Said:  "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15

Can we do any less?

SCRIPTURE

SCRIPTURE

A. Inspiration

1. All of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is thus without error. It is the very Word of God. It does not merely contain the Word of God, as if it contained the erroneous words of men mingled with the perfect words of God. The doctrine of inspiration is the first principle from which all biblical doctrines are derived. Its truth is revealed to man by God. [2 Sam 7:28; 2 Sam 23:2; Psa 12:6; Psa 25:5; Psa 111:7-8; Psa 119:43; Psa 119:89; Psa 138:2; Dan 10:21; John 17:17; Acts 3:18; 1 Cor 2:4; 1 Cor 2:12-16; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:15]

2. There is no part of Scripture that contradicts any other part of Scripture. [Psa 19:7-9; 2 Cor 1:18-20; Heb 6:17-18]

B. Preservation

It has been God's special care to providentially preserve the Bible whole and unblemished through every age. [Deuteronomy 31:11; Psa 12:5-7; Psa 111:7-8; Psa 119:152; Isa 40:8; Isa 59:21; Acts 15:21; Rom 3:1-4; Eph 2:20]

C. Scripture Alone

1. Only the Bible is to be received as authoritative, to the exclusion of all other writings, because it is the only inspired Word of God. In it God has given His church everything necessary for life and godliness. It is forbidden to add unto or take away anything from the Word of God; the doctrine within it is most perfect and complete in all respects. God has not given any new revelations to His people since the close of Scripture, and there is no unwritten tradition equal or superior in authority to the Scriptures. [Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 11:18-21; Deuteronomy 12:32; Jos 1:8; Psa 19:7-11; Prov 30:5-6; Isa 40:6-8; Matt 15:5-9; Luke 16:31; Gal 1:10-17; 2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Rev 22:18-19]

2. Let all men and all doctrines, including this Confession, be judged by this standard alone. Whatever is taught in any book or by any man that is contrary to the Bible is to be rejected. [Deuteronomy 13:1-4; Isa 8:20; John 7:24; Acts 17:11; Gal 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1]

Evidence that Man and Dinosaurs Lived at the Same Time!

Amazing Evidence that Man and Dinosaurs
Lived at the Same Time!
I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of being told that evolution is true and biblical creation is just a matter of blind faith. That's why I wanted to let you know about a free devotional e-mail from Creation Moments called "Today's Creation Moment."

You'll get one each weekday, and like I said, it doesn't cost a penny. In less than two minutes, you'll learn incredible things about God's magnificent creation – things like the "horror frog" that dislocates its bones, the mysterious "force" that lets the gecko walk upside down on a pane of glass, the truth behind "global warming", spider webs that are stronger than steel, and much more.

Here's a recent e-mail showing that man and dinosaurs lived at the same time:



Imagine getting one of these devotional e-mails every weekday! To start your free e-mail subscription, go to www.creationmoments.com and enter your e-mail address at the bottom-right of the page.

FORWARD THIS E-MAIL – By the way, I forwarded this e-mail to you because I thought you'd be interested in getting the free "Today's Creation Moment". Help me spread the word by forwarding this e-mail to all of your friends. The conflict between creation and evolution is just too important to ignore … so let's all do what we can to spread the TRUTH!

Death

Someone I was associated with through work passed away recently.  I did not know a lot about this man personally but his death has touched me.  I could not tell you if he was married, or if he had children; I am not even sure how old he was.  I can tell you he had a passion for life and the industry.  He promoted GIS when ever he could and was always kind to those around him.

I don't know if he was saved or not, maybe that is what bothers me but I am not sure.  I know that his passing has touched many in the Colorado GIS & area industry.  He was a friend to all who knew him and willing to reach out hand help with projects when ever he could.

Maybe I am sad because he appeared to be close to my age, maybe but I don't think so.  I am not sure why and maybe that buggs me more than anything. 

Some colleges touch you more than others.  Can you learn anything from someone's life?  I think from this friend I learned to act kindly to others and support your industry (GIS) in any way you can.  Reach out to those who need help when you can offer it and ask for help from others when you need it.  A life well lived!

God help me to be the man you would want me to be!  To love as you would have me to love and be kind to those around me.

Baptism, the last step!

Is Baptism The First Step of Obedience? BY Jack Cottrell

This is a great article by Jack Cottrell originally published in the Christan Standard on April 10, 2005.

The closing line summarizes his point:

"Baptism is not the first step a convert takes as a Christian; it is the last step the sinner takes to become a Christian."