“Here, then is the sovereign power with which the pastors of the Church, by whatever name they be called, ought to be endowed. That they may dare boldly do all things by God’s Word; may compel all worldly power, glory, wisdom, and exaltation to yield to and obey his majesty; supported by his power, may [...]
An evil resides in the professed camp of the Lord so gross in its imprudence that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years it has developed at an abnormal rate evil for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a more clever thing than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses. My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church.
Would we know whether we are really converted? Would we know the test by which we must try ourselves? The surest mark of true conversion is humility. If we have really received the Holy Spirit, we shall show it by a meek and childlike spirit. Like children, we shall think humbly of our own strength [...]
In the previous two posts we have covered the fact that outdoor baptisms are quickly vanishing from the evangelical landscape and the three reasons for this trend. Today I would like to give us seven reasons we should consider outdoor baptisms and the added benefit that can be derived from performing this ordinance out-of-doors. This list is not extensive but it may give way to some other considerations about the subject.
A recent article in USA Today caught my eye and although the theology was very poor the title of the article grabbed my attention: Outdoor Baptisms Dwindling. Here is the section that if found most interesting and gives three reasons for the change.
In the next several posts I would like to address a facet of church life that has changed almost without notice regarding baptism. I came to know Christ in the fall of 1974 and I along with many others, who had done likewise that winter, waited to be baptized when the weather had warmed sufficiently. Then one chilly Sunday April afternoon, I along with the others were baptized in a cold mountain stream here in mountains
This post appeared on the Founders Ministries Blog yesterday. It is a quote from Charles Spurgeon taken from his magazine “The Sword and The Trowel” from the June 1869 issue. It should serve as an encouragement to all of us who labor together in planting Reformed Baptist churches.
We honor the men who, subsisting on scanty and humble [...]
