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FAITH IN THE WATER

 On February 5th, 2023 around 12 noon at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana I had an immersion baptism. I was sprinkled in the United Methodist Church when I was four months old on April 17th, 1960. 

There are a lot of theological debates on baptism and why sprinkling and other methods can be considered a baptism. But if you simply look at the Holy Bible it reads that every baptism was an immersion. Even the Jewish faith baptizes and it is always an immersive baptism. John 3:23 / Matthew 3:16 / Acts 8:38

The leader of my Men's Bible Study did the honor of baptizing me. Another simple teaching in the Holy Bible is that when you become a believer in Jesus Christ you enter into the priesthood of believers. This means you can perform acts and rites of faith without any special schooling or man-made rules of apostolic lines of succession. There is no need to wear robes, or clerical clothing to be a minister of faith as a Christian. 1 Peter 2:5-9

Jesus wanted to simplify faith whereas man loves to complicate it and make it complicated so a select few can control people and make themselves feel special with special privileges. Jesus went to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan River to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus did not go to the Pharisees or Sadducees for a baptism.

I find that I am in a season of my life where I just want to simplify my faith in Jesus as my Lord and Savior and follow the Holy Bible, pray, take the Holy Communion, and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

UPDATE TO THIS BLOG: I spent fourteen months in a mega evangelical church and had some wonderful times with them. I learn and grow from these sojourn experiences of my faith.

But I started missing following the liturgical calendar which provided a beautiful rhythm to our Christian faith following that cycle in The Episcopal Church. 






Comments

  1. I have found more of a thirst for God and Jesus in my life lately as I have reached my 50s- I am 51 now. I use a daily devotional for the bible in 1 year off of the bible app. I also pray for help with anxiety and stress from work and trying to get my mom in assisted living. - Mike McFarland

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