Baptize then...

15 May 2014

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"Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened" (Luke 3:21)
praycowboy

Contrary to the focus of most modern missionary movements, baptism is not the goal of the gospel ministry. The Apostle even declares;

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:" (1st Corinthians 1:17)

This does not mean that Paul never baptized anyone. It means that the focus of his ministry was not to get as many people baptized as he could. This is because the focus of the ministry should not be on trying to populate heaven (which is impossible of men) but to make disciples. And baptism is the first step of discipleship.

Luke is the only that records the fact that Jesus began to pray as soon as He was baptized. It is a detail that could easily be overlooked in comparing the gospel accounts. However, I think Luke's inclusion of the fact that Jesus prayed immediately is significant. It shows us that baptism is the beginning of our Christian walk not the goal of gospel preaching.

Jesus shows us not only the proper mode and manner of baptism, He shows us that the event should be the inauguration of many other righteous acts in our lives, prayer being one of those acts.

After baptism, we are to immediately seek to further please the Lord in our walk and conversation. Jesus has shown us that baptism is a righteous thing to do. Therefore, we should do it. He has also shown us what we should be doing throughout the rest of our Christian life. We should start discipleship with prayer, and pray without ceasing!

Tags: baptism, harmony_of_the_gospels, john_the_baptist, luke, prayer

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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