1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV) "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."
As I mentioned on Sunday, our granddaughter Ava was baptized on Sunday. It is a tradition, it is a sacrament that is thousands of years old. But it is more than simply a tradition. The ceremony is one of dedication, of setting one apart for God. Images from the Old Testament come to mind. We don't know what Ava will become, but as a family we are setting her apart, devoting her, devoting ourselves to her relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
From today's "Tabletalk"devotional I read the following: "we must never think of baptism and the Lord's Supper as empty rites. We cannot understand everything that happens in baptism, for who understands every facet of any of God's works? But we can expect the Spirit to bless us in a special way that helps us in our Christian growth. If you are a Christian, the Spirit works in you when you witness the baptism of others."
The service was beautiful as family members and friends were able to lay their hands on Ava's head and convey a blessing or a prayer. Vows were given, sacred solemn, yet joyful vows that she be raised and encouraged and take these things to heart in faith and grow in her faith.
It was a reminder for us and it this verse should be a reminder to you that you have been cleansed, your sins forgiven, you have been set apart for an eternal purpose, and you've been put in right standing before God in the name of the Lord Jesus through His life, death and resurrection. We cannot fully understand all of this, but let us expect the Spirit to "bless us today in a special way that helps us in our Christian growth."
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Titus 3:5-7 (MSG)
3-8 It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
3-8 It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
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