Baptism

We attended my nephew's baptism yesterday. 

My nephew recently accepted Jesus as his Savior!  HALLELUJAH!!!!

It is always a blessing when a person comes to the realization that we are all sinners, who do not live up to God's standards.  God cannot be in the presences of sin.  Our punishment is an eternity in hell--forever separated from God.  

There is hope!  God loves us so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to die for our sins.  Jesus, being without sin, is the only one who can pay the penalty for everyone, with His life.  When a person accepts the gift of salvation.....accepts that Jesus died for his/her sins.....there is cause for celebration!  A new person has been added to God's Kingdom.  Their sins are forgiven, and they will spend eternity in heaven with God.

HALLELUJAH!

My nephew was brave enough to go forward for baptism soon after.

Baptism is not a requirement for heaven.  It is an act of obedience.  

When He was on Earth, Jesus was baptized, and instructed Christians to follow in his footsteps.

Baptism is a public admission of Faith.

It is a picture....a visual....of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

As a believer is lowered into the water, it is a picture of death to sin.

As a believer is raised up out of the water, it is a picture of life everlasting!

I think baptism services are so beautiful in the way they provide an explanation of salvation with both auditory and visual.

It was nice to get the opportunity to attend my nephew's baptism, and to celebrate with his family, his very mature decision to follow Christ.