Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
December 30, 2018

When A Person Is Baptized
by Bill Crews
When a person is baptized as God requires, or as the Bible teaches:
He has already heard the gospel (good news) of Christ, so he has been taught (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 18:8). Every instance of baptism in the New Testament is preceded by teaching.
He has already believed that gospel, thus he has already believed with all his heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 15:7; 18:8; 8:35-38).
He has already repented of his sins against God, for this repentance is both essential and precedes baptism (Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 17:30).
He has already confessed who Jesus is—the Christ, the Son of God, our Lord; and this confession precedes baptism (Acts 8:35-38; Romans 10:9-10).
He receives salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), remission of sins (Acts 2:38). He has his sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5; 7:14). He enters Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27) and the spiritual body of Christ, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13). He dies to sin (Romans 6:1-4). He becomes a disciple of Christ (Matthew 28: 19; Acts 14:21), a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27). He enters the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of Christ (John 3:3, 5; Colossians 1:13).
He has obeyed “from the heart” that “form of teaching” (or doctrine) unto which he was delivered (Romans 6:17-18). Just as Christ for our salvation experienced a death, burial and resurrection, so he has had a similar experience in dying to sin, being buried with Christ in baptism, and being raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). Thus, it was the decision and desire of that person, done because he wanted to, not to please any man, but God himself (Galatians 1:10).
It should be a happy, joyous occasion (Acts 8:38). “’Tis done the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s, and He is mine...Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away” (From the song, “O Happy Day).
He is now ready to change his life because he has become a new creature, old things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians 3:1-17).
He has a new master—Christ; self has been dethroned, and Christ has been enthroned in that person’s heart and life; his life is now committed to doing the will of Christ in all things (Galatians 2:20; Matthew 16:24). He is now the Lord’s bondservant (Romans 6:16-18).
He has begun a journey, embarked upon a voyage, entered a race, enlisted for life in an active army (2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3-4).
Please take time to read these verses and to digest these thoughts.
Via The Roanridge Reader, Volume 33, Issue 45, Page 3.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship……….10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.