What benefits does Baptism give? It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. Which are these words and promises of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Titus 3:5--He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Devotion--Our baptism is intensely personal. It is where God's gifts are given to us as individuals. And yet, as a baptized Christian, we are not left all to ourselves. We're part of a larger community, a community of faith, joined together in ways that we cannot understand. (The Bible uses several different pictures of this, such as branches attached to the vine, which is Jesus, or a human body, with Jesus as the head.)
As people who are joined or united in some way beyond our understanding, we also live with one another in such a way that we recognize and encourage one another in our baptism. As part of our worship life together, one of the first things we do is recall that God's name has been put upon us all (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a reminder that God's name has been put on us in baptism).
How do you encourage and remind others of the benefits that they have received in their baptism? While there are many different ways to do this, perhaps a few suggestions would be helpful. When you remind others that their sins are forgiven, you are building them up in their baptism. When you forgive another person for their sin against you, you are building them up in their baptism. When you remind someone that God has put His name on them, and that they are His, you are building them up in their baptism.
Is there someone whose path you will cross today who could use the reminder of God's benefits to them in their baptism? If so, I pray that you will make the most of the opportunity to build them up in their baptismal faith and grace.
Prayer--Lord Jesus, You have given me and all believers great benefits through our baptism. As one who is united to You and to others who share my faith, help me to build up and encourage my fellow believers in their baptism. Today show me one way that I can remind a fellow believer of their baptism, that they will be strengthened in their faith. I ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
Titus 3:5--He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Devotion--Our baptism is intensely personal. It is where God's gifts are given to us as individuals. And yet, as a baptized Christian, we are not left all to ourselves. We're part of a larger community, a community of faith, joined together in ways that we cannot understand. (The Bible uses several different pictures of this, such as branches attached to the vine, which is Jesus, or a human body, with Jesus as the head.)
As people who are joined or united in some way beyond our understanding, we also live with one another in such a way that we recognize and encourage one another in our baptism. As part of our worship life together, one of the first things we do is recall that God's name has been put upon us all (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a reminder that God's name has been put on us in baptism).
How do you encourage and remind others of the benefits that they have received in their baptism? While there are many different ways to do this, perhaps a few suggestions would be helpful. When you remind others that their sins are forgiven, you are building them up in their baptism. When you forgive another person for their sin against you, you are building them up in their baptism. When you remind someone that God has put His name on them, and that they are His, you are building them up in their baptism.
Is there someone whose path you will cross today who could use the reminder of God's benefits to them in their baptism? If so, I pray that you will make the most of the opportunity to build them up in their baptismal faith and grace.
Prayer--Lord Jesus, You have given me and all believers great benefits through our baptism. As one who is united to You and to others who share my faith, help me to build up and encourage my fellow believers in their baptism. Today show me one way that I can remind a fellow believer of their baptism, that they will be strengthened in their faith. I ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
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