April 30, 2000


Volume XX - Number 18  

Is Baptism
Essential to Salvation?

Andrew M. Connally

Every time you find baptism mentioned in the New Testament you find it placed before the blessing. For instance, Jesus said, "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," (Mark 16:16). Clearly faith and baptism precede salvation. And not one time does the bible ever have salvation coming before the baptism, not one. Yet the denominational preacher teaches just the opposite. They teach salvation always comes before the baptism. Isn't it amazing how a preacher's denominational training and bias causes him to reverse Jesus' order. If the Bible places baptism before salvation and it does (Mark 16:16), then who are we to deny that baptism must precede salvation. If the Bible ever says something one time it is as true as if God said it one thousand times. What the finger of God writes is forever bound by God's authority. God will not change it and man dare not change it.

Every time you find baptism mentioned in the New Testament you find it placed before the blessing. For instance, Peter said, "repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto (for) the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Clearly repentance and baptism precede the remission of sins. And not one time does the Bible ever have remission of sins coming before baptism, not one. Yet the denominational preacher teaches just the opposite. They say remission of sins always comes before baptism. Isn't it amazing how a preacher's denominational training and bias causes him to reverse Peter's order. If the Bible places baptism before the remission of sins and it does (Acts 2:38), then who are we to deny that baptism must precede remission of sins. If the Bible ever says something one time it is as true as if God said it one thousand times. What the finger of God writes is forever bound by God's authority. God will not change it and man dare not change it.

Neighbor would you like to see other blessings God has placed after baptism and not before? Then why not notice Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; and 1 Peter 3:21. It might shock you as to the difference of what the Bible says and what you have been taught.

Why not accept the truth and contact a gospel preacher to baptize you scripturally so you may receive the blessings of God and leave the error you may have accepted. May God bless you.


AM SERMON:
To Be Announced
PM SERMON:
To Be Announced


"Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1)

Youth is a time of great beauty, rare possibilities and keen, efficient abilities. It is also a time of great temptation...the teenagers' problems and anxieties should serve well to focus his attention on his need to "remember
his creator in his youth
."


May Calendar

The May edition of the Orange Street Activities Calendar and Men To Serve List is available today in the foyer. Be sure to pick-up a copy so that you might be informed of the month's activities and duty schedules.

TONIGHT!

Members and visitors alike are invited to meet with us in the annex tonight (Sunday), after the evening worship services, for a time of food and fellowship, in honor of those with birthdays and anniversaries in April. Members should bring snacks and finger foods.

Don't Forget...

We meet before services, each Sunday evening at 5:30pm in classroom #3, for about 15 or 20 minutes of prayer. Please make it your business to be there.

Also - Our youngsters meet at about 5:40 each Sunday evening for a short period of stories and singing before the evening worship. Be sure to bring your parents early so you can attend.

Elder's Meeting

The elders would like to meet with the deacons this afternoon at 4:00, here at the building

Don & Sheila Adkins, Juanita Ashley, Jeff Brooks, B.C. Carr,
Theresa Chadwick, Emma Grace Chambers, Sue Church, Norris Clark,
Charles Copeland, Jeff Copeland, Robert Cox, Macon Cox, Vannie Dowdy,
Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Barb Faught, Clay Hightower, Mona Howard,
Sherry Hobbs, Mattie Hughs, Olivia Miner, Brice Oliver, Cliff Powell,
Alzonio Rhodes, Latanea Sims, Keely Watkins, Vera Willis,
Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie, Talmadge Royal, Robert West,
George Willis, Victoria Wooster