In This Issue

• STATE OF THE CONGREGATION, JANUARY, 2002
• THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH BAPTISM
• "SIGNS" OF THE END (?)
• MORE INFORMATION...

STATE OF THE CONGREGATION, JANUARY, 2002

As we begin another year, we look back over the year just passed. During 2001, I wrote the majority of the class materials used by the Susquehanna church, both in the adult and children’s classes, and I continued to go and preach the last Sunday evening of each month (except December) in Fairfield, PA. We also made two mass mailings to all the residents of Marietta. Tim Maness edits and takes care of the work of producing that mailing, the Susquehanna Sower.

In February, Tom and Shirley Reed relocated to Schwenksville, PA. Our loss was gain for the Exton congregation, where Tom has since been appointed as an elder.

In March, Percy and Jan Wilson moved away. This time our loss was gain for the church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Percy is now serving as local evangelist.

The first two weeks of April, Betty and I took a vacation trip to Texas. I had the privilege of preaching at Westview in Athens, Alabama; and in Georgetown, Burnet, and Liberty Hill, Texas. During April, we lost the Lolley family. They drew back from worshipping with any congregation and seek to substitute home devotions in the place of assembling with the saints. I fear our loss is Satan’s gain.

But also in April, we gained Mike and Chris Cox and their three children. They studied their way out of Baptist doctrine. Mike was baptized into Christ by Gary Eubanks, a gospel preacher in Piscataway, New Jersey, while he was working in that area. He came home the next day and baptized his own wife into Christ.

In many ways, May was our best month. We had a lectureship type meeting with different speakers each evening. Speakers were Tom Edwards, James Finney, James Baker, Scott Smelser, and Brad Hopkins. Also during May, we began to have a ladies’ Bible class every other week in the homes of different members. Annahelen Amoros was instrumental in beginning that class, and in keeping it going.

Best of all, in May, three of our young people obeyed the gospel. On May 6, I baptized Kathryn Miozza in the beautiful Susquehanna River. The following Sunday, Curt Hart baptized his son Robert, and Kenny Boyer baptized his sister Michelle, also in the Susquehanna.

It was also in May that our web page went on-line. If you haven’t taken a look at it, we encourage you to do so. It is at susquehannachurchofchrist.org. Percy had done much of the work in preparation for the web page before he left for Oklahoma. He showed David Stevens how to continue in that effort, and also helped David in formatting and publishing our bulletin, the Susquehanna Sentinel. We are currently sending the Sentinel out weekly by email to almost 250 subscribers throughout the United States, and also in England, Germany, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, South Africa, and Sweden.

In June, Eric and Kendra Dixon and their two children moved to Americus, Georgia. Eric sought a less stressful job situation, and we hope the very best of everything for them in their new location.

For the months of June, July, and August, we did not divide into separate classes on Wednesday nights, but stayed in one undivided assembly to study the book of Psalms. We divided the Psalms into 13 near-equal portions, and studied one of those portions each Wednesday. Four different men gave an approximate five-minute talk each week. We sang one or more Psalms each week to a familiar hymn tune, etc. Every male member who attended was involved to some degree in leading part of the study. I believe the experience was very rewarding and edifying.

In August, Tim Maness took over the planning of our Bible class literature, and is in the process of laying out a three-year plan.

In September I held a gospel meeting in Hyde Park, PA. One person was baptized in that effort.

In October, we had a series of gospel meetings with Scott Smelser.

In November, I had the opportunity to close out a lectureship type meeting in Bethlehem, PA. I preached twice Sunday morning, once Sunday afternoon, and then returned to preach at Marietta that night.

But the really good news for November was that Theresa Long was baptized into Christ by her dad, Scott.

In December, Rebecca Sollenberger placed membership with the congregation, bringing with her two children, Eric (Jr.) and Olivia. Also in December, I had the privilege of holding a series of gospel meetings in Waterville, Maine. Then, to close out the year with a bang, Angelo Miozza baptized Jeff White into Christ. Patricia and Angelo had been studying with Jeff for several weeks, and their studies together will continue

As the year ended, the local congregation determined to pick up the $200 per month that I had been receiving from the Greenwood, Arkansas, congregation, and to give me a raise in that same amount.

Now, may God go with us as we progress into another year in His service.

--CRJ

THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH BAPTISM

Almost all who profess to be Christians claim to believe in water baptism. Yet there is much disagreement and misunderstanding among religious people about what baptism is and what it is for. When we see what things the Bible connects with baptism we should be able to get a pretty good idea about the Bible teaching concerning baptism.

1. Baptism is associated with much water. Matt. 3:6 tells us that John baptized "in Jordan." John 3:23 says John baptized in "Aenon near to Salem, because there was MUCH WATER there." We are not under the baptism of John the Baptist today. However, these passages show us what the act of baptism is -- it is dipping, plunging, or immersing in water. John the baptizer needed more than a cup of water. He baptized in a river. Rom. 6:3-4 teaches us that we are BURIED with Christ in baptism. Bible baptism is immersion.

2. Baptism is connected with sinners. Some churches encourage people to be baptized BECAUSE they have ALREADY been saved from sins. But Ananias told Saul of Tarsus to "arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). In Acts 2:37, it was SINNERS, not Christians, who cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The apostle Peter answered in verse 38, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Baptism is for SINNERS because it is for the remission of sins.

3. Baptism is associated with preaching Christ. In Acts 8:5, when Philip PREACHED CHRIST to the Ethiopian eunuch, the Ethiopian realized his need to be baptized (verses 35-36). Some have said that baptism is not part of preaching Christ, but the Bible teaches that it is.

4. Baptism is connected with membership in the Lord’s church, 1 Cor. 12:13. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..." After those in Acts had received the word they were baptized and "the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

From studying the things the Bible associates with water baptism, we learn that SCRIPTURAL water baptism is the IMMERSION of an alien SINNER who has heard CHRIST PREACHED. This baptism both WASHES AWAY SINS (through the blood of Christ) and puts one into the church which belongs to Christ. Have you been SCRIPTURALLY baptized?

--Tom Moody

"SIGNS" OF THE END (?)

It seems strange that though Jesus Himself did not know the time of the end (Mark 13:22), many modern preachers are claiming to read "signs of the times" which supposedly "prove" that the end of the world is at our doorstep. IT MIGHT well be that the end is near. But again, it might not be. No man knows the day nor the hour, Matt. 25:13.

Many sincere students have overlooked a primary rule of Bible study: examine every statement in the light of its context. The chapters which contain the bulk of the material many are using to "prove" that the return of Christ is imminent are Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. A careful examination of these parallel chapters will clear up much misunderstanding. In Matt. 24:1, the disciples call attention to the temple. Jesus tells them, regarding that temple, "There shall not be one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (vs. 2). This prophecy prompted them to ask two questions: "(1) When shall these things (destruction of the temple, etc.) be, and (2) What shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world?

Jesus’ answer to their first question is found in plain language in vs. 4-28. It is answered again in symbolic language in vs. 29-31. For similar prophetic language, see Isa. 13:9-10; Ezek. 32:7-8; Joel 2:1-2, 10-11, etc.

Finally, in vs. 32-35, that question is answered once more in the form of a parable.

Then in vs. 36 through chapter 25, Jesus gives attention to their second question. If a person will read these chapters, bearing in mind the difference between "these things" (vs. 3, 6, 8, 34) referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, and "that day" (vs. 36), referring to the end of the world, he will not be misled by modern religious teachers’ application of Jesus’ words to events taking place in our times. There are no signs to tell us WHEN Christ’s second coming will occur. "Therefore be ye ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh" (vs. 44).

--CRJ

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

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