In This Issue

• THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM
• MISSING THE SIGNIFICANT
• LIFT UP FALLEN HANDS
• SIX STEPS TO A BROKEN HOME
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
• MORE INFORMATION...

THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM

Mark tells us that Jesus “came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan” (Mark 1:9). This trip of perhaps 100 miles, and probably on foot, is an indication of the importance Jesus placed on baptism. Many in our time belittle baptism, and insist that, at best, it is nothing more than “an outward sign of an inward grace.” If you have been told that is its only significance, it might be interesting to get out your Bible and concordance and try to find a passages that says that!

For the sinless Son of God, the importance of baptism was in order to fulfill all righteousness, Matthew 3:15. He thus set an example for all those who came after Him as to the importance of obeying the will of God. But for all us sinners, baptism is even more significant. John’s baptism and that of the early church was “for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38). In fact, when Jesus sent His apostles out on the “great commission,” He instructed them, “Go in to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). Note that according to this passage, there are at least two conditions for salvation -- faith and baptism. Who will be saved? He who believes and is baptized in obedience to the gospel.

Mark goes on to tell us that after Jesus’ immersion in the Jordan River, “immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:11). Baptism for Jesus fulfilled righteousness and pleased the heavenly Father.

One significant thing about Jesus is that He always did that which pleased His heavenly Father, John 6:38; 8:29.

In fact, once again on a later occasion, God the Father speaks from heaven to acknowledge Jesus as His Son, and as one who pleases Him. When Jesus went up on the mountain with Peter, James and John, and when Elijah and Moses joined him there, God spoke of Jesus: “This is My be loved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matt. 17:5).

In our text on the baptism of Jesus, we see Deity in three distinct Persons or Beings -- the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was coming up out of the water, the Holy Spirit was visible in dove-like form, and the Father’s audible voice was heard from heaven.

--CRJ

MISSING THE SIGNIFICANT

A friend shared with me a beautiful legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.

The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor. The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years. The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there was something about her the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.

The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: "You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!" That woman had no wealth, no fortune, and no title, but she had unselfishly given her life to produce great people. There is nothing more powerful or more Christ-like than sacrificial love.  The king could not see the value in the humble lady. He missed the significance of the teacher. Often we miss the value of those around us. Are we failing to see and show appreciation to those who labor so hard behind the scenes? The greatest work is sometimes that which goes unnoticed.

–State College, PA, bulletin

LIFT UP FALLEN HANDS

Little churches dying on the vine? That depends on saints in those little churches, but it is not dictated by the size of the congregation. We must not use small numbers as an excuse for despair or idleness.

A Kentucky church of about 50 members has published a small, neat four-lesson correspondence course. They ran a 30-second commercial on radio, one per day, five days per week, for one month, varying the times of day to hit a wide audience. They had 100 requests for the correspondence study; and when they sent it out (all four in one mailing) they included a letter offering (1) an 8-lesson course, or, (2) an advanced 12-lesson series, or, (3) an "In the Home" film presentation of God's saving plan. There were 49 requests for one or the other of these.

The members are training to "man" the operation, a formidable task for so small a group, but they can do it. Following the Wednesday night class they were given bulletins and parts of a mailing list, and each sat down then and there to hand address them. There is something truly thrilling in seeing a group of saints working together. Such a church has already grown, even before numerical increase.

The new program will cost $1,200.00 annually -- about what their present bulletin printing and mailing program takes, so they have decided to drop the bulletin mailing so they can afford the radio and correspondence work. It seems a wise choice. Those 50 members, ordinary working-class people, give over $600.00 per week now to further the Lord's work. Their capability will expand with prayerful, thoughtful use of what they now have (2 Cor. 8:15; 9:6).

A 500-member church in the same city has a quarter-million-plus budget ($9.86 per person, per week, compared with over $12 per person for the small church). We can't measure one church by another (2 Cor. 10:12), nor can we compare the dedication of individual hearts, but we commend the attitude of brethren in the small church toward God's word, and mankind. They remind us, anew, that God does not measure with man's yardstick.

-- Robert F. Turner, via Plain Talk, April 1980

SIX STEPS TO A BROKEN HOME

A home is seldom destroyed “overnight.”  Its destruction is usually the result of certain fatal steps taken over a lengthy period of time.  In these days, when so many homes are crumbling, we would do well to examine our own marital relationships, to see if we have begun to travel the road to inevitable breakup.  The following steps lead to that road.

1.  Selfishness.  This may be the number one enemy of a happy home life.  Each person is doing his own thing.  Neither is willing to give up what he wants to do in order that wholesome activities may be enjoyed together.  Each seeks his own satisfaction in material realms, in sexual activities, in time spent with relatives, with little concern for the partner’s satisfaction.

2  Intolerance.  Faults in one’s partner begin to show up that somehow had been hidden during the courtship period.  The faults become more and more irritating in a day to day, living together relationship.  Gradually they are magnified.  Disillusionment sets in.

3.  Resignation.  Both parties become resigned to their situation.  No further effort is made to build a happy home.  Communication ceases.  Love begins to fade, and in many cases gives way to bitterness.

4.  End of Sexual Relations.  The communication barrier soon affects the sexual relationship, and the couple finds themselves no longer enjoying and fulfilling this God-given purpose in marriage.  The marriage has deteriorated into a mere housekeeping relationship.  Such people may be easy pushovers for the next step.

5.  Adultery.  Temptation can arise so unexpectedly, and many a person whose physical needs are not being met at home may yield to the temptation.  Rationalization comes easy.  The person feels he has never gotten a “fair shake” at home; he deserves this new-found attention; this is true love (?); he is sure someone understands him for the first time.  How deceptive sin is.  Only one other step remains.

6.  Separation.  The thing that has destroyed this home is sin.  But not just the sin of adultery.  Each of the five steps prior to this one constitutes sin.  We can come to but one conclusion: sin is the cause of broken homes.

Consider your marriage.  If repentance is needed, repent.  “What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

--Bill Hall, Concern, 1988

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