“Il male non si allontanerà dalla casa di chi rende male per bene.” (Proverbi 17:13) Meditazione giornaliera “Apri la porta del tuo cuore”. Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino. Speaker: Abigail Grace Miguel Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS0Q36Hm5rM
Baptism in Light of the Cross
As we are taking a look at the baptism of Jesus in this week’s lesson, let’s also look at baptism in light of the cross.
Brief overview:
By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
Why it is important to understand the truth about baptism:
The Bible only teaches one form of baptism. See Ephesians 4:5. We get the word “baptism” from the Greek word, baptizo which means, to immerse. To be immersed you must go into the water all the way.
Why it is important to understand baptism in light of the cross:
Romans 6 tells us the reason there is only one form of baptism. Baptism is where we are crucified with Christ and die to self. In Baptism we are giving all of ourselves to Jesus because He loved and gave all of Himself for us. When we go under the water we stop breathing for a moment. That is symbolic of our death to self. When we come up out of the water, we take a new breath and that new breath represents the new life that we are now living for Jesus.
Further Study on Baptism
How essential is baptism?
Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 NLT
How many types of baptism does God recognize?
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism Ephesians 4:5 NLT
How was Jesus baptized?
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”Matthew 3:13-17 NLT
Why did John baptize there?
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. John 3:23 NLT
How did Philip baptize the Ethiopian?
He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:38 NLT
What must precede baptism?
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
Note: Discipling or mentoring and teaching takes place before and after baptism.
What else must take place?
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 NLT
What must follow belief?
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38 NLT
What does baptism symbolize?
Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:3-6 NLT
Here we see that baptism is the Biblical memorial to the resurrection and not Sunday worship.
Who now lives in us?
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 NLT
What are we declared to be?
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. Galatians 3:26-29 NLT
For what reason might one be re-baptized?
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them.“No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:1-5 NLT
Why wait?
What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 NLT
If you are considering baptism. I encourage you to reach out to your local elder or pastor today! You may also reach out to me here or at wi***************@fl***************.com
(0)The post Baptism in Light of the Cross first appeared on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/baptism-in-light-of-the-cross/
Our Controversy Over The Great Controversy, Part 2: Modernism’s Pledge to Reason
by Jim Walters | 3 July 2024 | (Read part 1 here.) Given the prominence of the theme of The Great Controversy (TGC) in Adventism, and how conditions have changed in society and in the church over the last 165 years, it’s reasonable to use the modernist tool of reason to examine the TGC’s relevance […] Source: https://atoday.org/our-controversy-over-the-great-controversy-part-2-modernisms-pledge-to-reason/
How Does the Adventist Church Handle Money?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is seen as a divine movement chosen by God to revive biblical truths and ready mankind for Jesus’ return. This video explores how the church's mission and its global reach in 2012 across 235 countries and territories owe much to its efficient structure and careful financial stewardship. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSrgZog0JLg
Lesson 1.The Beginning of the Gospel | 1.5 The Gospel According to Jesus
1.5 The Gospel According to Jesus
The Gospel According to Jesus: Fulfillment, Kingdom, and Call to Repentance
Read Mark 1:14–15. What three components made up Jesus’ gospel message?
Mark summarizes Jesus’ simple and direct message in three essential parts:
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Prophecy of Time: “The time is fulfilled.”
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Covenant Promise: “The kingdom of God is near.”
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Call to Follow: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
These three parts of Jesus’ gospel message are deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies and hold immense significance for our understanding of the New Testament and our faith life.
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Prophecy of Time: “The time is fulfilled.”
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Biblical Foundation: Jesus refers to the 70-week prophecy in Daniel 9:24–27. This prophecy predicts the coming of the Messiah and finds its fulfillment in the baptism of Jesus, where he is anointed with the Holy Spirit and begins his ministry (Acts 10:38).
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Historical Fulfillment: The 70-week prophecy began in 457 BC with Artaxerxes’ decree to restore Jerusalem (Ezra 7). The 69 weeks extended to AD 27, the year Jesus was baptized. Jesus’ crucifixion occurred three and a half years later, and the 70th week was completed in AD 34 with the stoning of Stephen when the gospel was preached to both Gentiles and Jews.
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Significance: This fulfilled prophecy shows God’s precise planning and faithfulness. It confirms that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that God’s plan of salvation unfolded exactly at the right time.
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Covenant Promise: “The kingdom of God is near.”
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Biblical Foundation: The kingdom of God is a central theme in Jesus’ ministry. It refers to God’s rule over the hearts and lives of people and the future fulfillment of His kingdom.
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Significance: Jesus announces that with his coming, the kingdom of God is near. This means that God’s rule and His plan of salvation are now active in the world, calling people to become part of this kingdom.
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Call to Follow: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
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Biblical Foundation: Repentance and faith are fundamental aspects of Jesus’ message. Repentance means recognizing sin and turning away from it, while faith involves a complete act of trust in Jesus and his works of salvation.
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Significance: Jesus calls people to change their hearts (repentance) and trust in him (faith). This is the way to enter the kingdom of God and be part of His plan of salvation.
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When was the last time you engaged with the 70-week prophecy? How can knowing this prophecy help strengthen your faith, not only in Jesus but also in the trustworthiness of prophetic words?
Introduction to the 70-Week Prophecy: The 70-week prophecy from Daniel 9:24-27 is one of the most remarkable and precise prophecies in the Bible. It was given to predict the arrival of the Messiah and provides a clear timeline for important events in God’s plan of salvation. This prophecy began in 457 BC with Artaxerxes’ decree to restore Jerusalem and spanned 490 years (70 weeks of 7 years).
Importance of the 70-Week Prophecy:
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Fulfillment in Jesus Christ:
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Historical Accuracy: The 69 weeks end in AD 27 when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of his public ministry. This shows the precision and reliability of biblical prophecy.
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Crucifixion and Salvation: Three and a half years later, in the middle of the 70th week, Jesus was crucified, bringing reconciliation and salvation to humanity.
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Trustworthiness of Prophetic Words:
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Divine Precision: The exact fulfillment of this prophecy strengthens our trust in the Bible as God’s inspired word. If God can predict and fulfill such details, we can be assured that His other promises are also true.
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Confirmation of the Messiah: The prophecy confirms Jesus as the promised Messiah. This strengthens our faith in him as our Savior and Lord.
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Reflection and Personal Application: When was the last time you engaged with the 70-week prophecy? Perhaps you explored this prophecy in a Bible study, sermon, or personal study. If not, this could be a good opportunity to revisit and delve into the depths of this prophecy.
How can knowing this prophecy help strengthen your faith?
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Trust in God’s Plan:
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Strengthening Faith: Knowing this prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus shows that God’s plans are precise and reliable. This can encourage us to have more trust in God’s guidance in our own lives.
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Steadfastness in Times of Crisis: In times of uncertainty, we can remember that God is in control and that His plans will always come to fruition. This gives us hope and confidence.
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Deepening Faith:
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Jesus as the Focus: The prophecy directs our focus to Jesus and his sacrifice. It encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with him and appreciate his role as our Savior.
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Faith Testimony: The precise fulfillment of the prophecy can help us share our faith with others. It serves as a powerful testimony to the truth of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus.
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Inspiration and Commitment:
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Daily Life: The knowledge of the prophecy’s fulfillment motivates us to live our lives in accordance with God’s will. It reminds us that we are part of God’s great plan and should fulfill our calling with dedication and trust.
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Mission and Service: The prophecy inspires us to share the gospel message. It shows us that God has guided people throughout the ages and that we are also called to be a light in the world.
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Prophecy of Time: “The time is fulfilled.”
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Biblical Foundation: Jesus refers to the 70-week prophecy in Daniel 9:24–27. This prophecy predicts the coming of the Messiah and finds its fulfillment in the baptism of Jesus, where he is anointed with the Holy Spirit and begins his ministry (Acts 10:38).
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Historical Fulfillment: The 70-week prophecy began in 457 BC with Artaxerxes’ decree to restore Jerusalem (Ezra 7). The 69 weeks extended to AD 27, the year Jesus was baptized. Jesus’ crucifixion occurred three and a half years later, and the 70th week was completed in AD 34 with the stoning of Stephen when the gospel was preached to both Gentiles and Jews.
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Significance: This fulfilled prophecy shows God’s precise planning and faithfulness. It confirms that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that God’s plan of salvation unfolded exactly at the right time.
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Connection with our daily life and faith:
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Trust in God’s Timing: The fulfillment of the time prophecy teaches us that God’s timing is perfect. In our daily lives, we can trust that God is in control and that He will intervene at the right time. This gives us patience and confidence in times of waiting and uncertainty.
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Strengthening Faith: The precision of biblical prophecy and its fulfillment strengthen our faith in the trustworthiness of the Bible. This encourages us to read the Bible regularly and trust that God’s promises will also come true in our lives.
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Covenant Promise: “The kingdom of God is near.”
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Biblical Foundation: The kingdom of God is a central theme in Jesus’ ministry. It refers to God’s rule over the hearts and lives of people and the future fulfillment of His kingdom.
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Significance: Jesus announces that with his coming, the kingdom of God is near. This means that God’s rule and His plan of salvation are now active in the world, calling people to become part of this kingdom.
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Connection with our daily life and faith:
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Living in the Here and Now: Knowing that the kingdom of God is already near encourages us to live our daily lives in accordance with God’s values and principles. It reminds us that as Christians, we are called to bring God’s love, justice, and mercy into the world.
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Future Hope: Although we live in a fallen world, the promise of the coming kingdom of God gives us hope and confidence. We can look forward to the day when God’s kingdom will be fully realized, and this gives us strength and motivation to remain steadfast in faith even in difficult times.
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Call to Follow: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
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Biblical Foundation: Repentance and faith are fundamental aspects of Jesus’ message. Repentance means recognizing sin and turning away from it, while faith involves a complete act of trust in Jesus and his works of salvation.
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Significance: Jesus calls people to change their hearts (repentance) and trust in him (faith). This is the way to enter the kingdom of God and be part of His plan of salvation.
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Connection with our daily life and faith:
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Daily Repentance: The call to repentance reminds us that turning away from sin is an ongoing process. In our daily lives, this means continually examining our thoughts, words, and actions and turning back to God. This helps us stay pure and sincere in our relationship with God and others.
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Trust and Faith: Believing in the gospel means placing our full trust in Jesus. This gives us security and peace, even in uncertain times. It reminds us that through faith, we have access to God’s grace and forgiveness.
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Missionary Zeal: The call to follow motivates us to share the gospel message. It is our duty to encourage others to repent and believe in Jesus. This can be done through our personal testimony, our actions, and our words.
Summary: The gospel message of Jesus, consisting of the fulfillment of the time prophecy, the promise of the kingdom of God, and the call to repentance and faith, has profound implications for our daily lives and faith. It reminds us that God’s plan is perfect, that we live in the presence of His kingdom, and that repentance and faith are the path to salvation. These truths should shape our lives, strengthen our trust, and motivate us to share the message of Jesus with others.
The gospel message of Jesus—the fulfillment of time, the nearness of God’s kingdom, and the call to repentance and faith—reminds us that we are part of God’s great plan. It encourages us to live according to His principles in our daily lives and to share His saving love with others.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-1-the-beginning-of-the-gospel-1-5-the-gospel-according-to-jesus/
