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As you prepare for baptism, I wanted to share with you the significance of this step in your spiritual life.

1. The Meaning of Baptism:

Baptism symbolizes your personal faith in Jesus Christ and your commitment to follow Him. It represents the death of your old self and the birth of your new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 

2. Baptism as a Commandment:

Jesus Himself was baptized and commanded His followers to be baptized (Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:19-20). It’s an act of obedience, showing your willingness to follow Christ’s example and commands.

• ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19‭-‬20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. Symbolism of Water Baptism:

Being submerged in water during baptism represents dying with Christ to sin. Rising out of the water symbolizes the resurrection into a new life, as Christ was raised from the dead (Romans 6:3-4).

• ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3‭-‬4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [3] Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

4. Public Declaration of Faith:

Baptism is a public declaration of your faith and commitment to Christ. It’s an outward expression of the inward change that has occurred in your heart (Acts 2:41).

• ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:41‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

5. Joining the Body of Christ:

Through baptism, you become part of the larger body of Christ, the church. It’s a sign of unity with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:13).

• ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

6. The Role of the Holy Spirit:

Baptism also signifies the receipt of the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides you in your Christian walk (Acts 2:38).

• ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭NIV‬‬ [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

We can discuss on Sunday.

Pastor Page

As we embrace the joy of Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the wisdom of Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

May this Thanksgiving be a time for you to strengthen bonds, share Christ’s love, and express heartfelt gratitude within your homes. Embrace each moment with kindness, patience, and understanding, nurturing the unity that Christ calls us to in our families and friendships.

Let us remember to be the bearers of peace and love in every aspect of our lives, especially towards those we hold dear.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with love, harmony, and blessings.

In Christ,

Pastor

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Troy called after service today with the following prayer requests. He was the caller with the background noise during the service.

He needs a ride for dialysis this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10am. His normal ride is out of town this coming week. He number is: 803-552-6020

He has $1,800 of the $3,200 needed for need repairs on his car, and praying for the remaining $1,400 to get the work done.

Roof complete!

Interior being prepared for Sheetrock

Dead tree cut down

People dropping off items in Blessing Box ❤️

Power for the present. When you trusted Christ, He gave you all that you need for life and godliness. All you have to do is to appropriate what you need from His resources. His Word feeds the divine nature within, and you can grow in knowledge and in grace. This is not automatic; you must be diligent to use the means of grace that God has provided.

2 Peter 1:1‭-‬11 NIV
The Introduction 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Message verses 3-11

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

• 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…

8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

• James 1:22‭-‬24 NIV Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The world (1–4). Christian leaders are tempted to act like the world and “lord it over” God’s people (Matt. 20:20–28). But leaders are shepherds, and sheep must be led, not driven. Our service must be willing and humble; we must be eager to help others.

Matthew 20:26‭-‬28 NIV  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 5:1‭-‬5 NIV
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them —not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

• James 3:1 NIV Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

• 1 Timothy 4:16 NIV Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

3 not Lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

• 1 Corinthians 9:18 NIV What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

• Galatians 2:20 NIV I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

• Philippians 2:3‭-‬4 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

• Romans 14:10‭-‬12 NIV You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.