Psalm 33 (Contemporary English Version)

1 You are the LORD's people.

Obey him and celebrate! He deserves your praise.

2 Praise the LORD with harps!

Use harps with ten strings to make music for him.

3 Sing a new song. Shout!

Play beautiful music.

4 The LORD is truthful;

he can be trusted.

5 He loves justice and fairness,

and he is kind to everyone everywhere on earth.

6 The LORD made the heavens

and everything in them by his word.

7 He scooped up the ocean

and stored the water.

8 Everyone in this world

should worship and honor the LORD!

9 As soon as he spoke the world was created;

at his command, the earth was formed.

10 The LORD destroys the plans

and spoils the schemes of the nations.

11 But what the LORD has planned

will stand forever.  His thoughts never change.

12 The LORD blesses each nation

that worships only him.  He blesses his chosen ones.

13 The LORD looks at the world

14 from his throne in heaven,

and he watches us all.

15 The LORD gave us each a mind,

and nothing we do can be hidden from him.

16 Mighty armies alone cannot win wars for a king;

great strength by itself cannot keep a soldier safe.

17 In war the strength of a horse

cannot be trusted to take you to safety.

18 But the LORD watches over all

who honor him and trust his kindness.

19 He protects them from death

and starvation.

20 We depend on you, LORD,

to help and protect us.

21 You make our hearts glad

because we trust you, the only God.

22 Be kind and bless us!

We depend on you.

35 Partake – WISE - Baptism

Jesus came and told His Disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 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 28v18-20)

Baptism is commanded for all who believe in Jesus (Matthew 28v19; Acts 2v38) and it naturally followed after conversion (Acts 2v37; Acts 10v47; Acts 16v33). But what does it mean?

What is baptism?

Christian Disciples are baptized into Christ (Romans 6v3), and into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is to show a total identification with Jesus Christ, whereby Christian Disciples are baptized into His body (1 Corinthians 12v13) and His death (Romans 6v1-6). Our old inherent sinful natures are seen as buried with Christ and we are raised to live a new life with a new nature! Baptism is also a public testimony that Christian Disciples have entered into God’s blessings. But who should be baptized?

There are two main schools of thought over who should be baptized.

Firstly there is “Believers baptism”, which is for all who confess faith in Christ and is mentioned frequently in the New Testament (Matthew 28v19; Acts 2v41). This was by full immersion, usually in a river or other public place.

Secondly, there is what is called “Infant baptism”. This practice and teaching was passed down by the Apostles and was current by the time of the early church Fathers, Origen and Tertullian. The basis for Infant Baptism lies in the Old Testament, where the sign of the covenant between God and His people was circumcision of the male babies. Baptism can be thought of as the equivalent in the New Testament and therefore applicable to infants (Colossians 2v6-12).

I am not going to tell you my opinion on which I think is the correct form. Suffice to say, that God has used proponents of both opinions! If you have not been baptized and would call yourself a Christian, then go and ask your church leader about how you can undergo this vital part of Christian life.

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Psalm 29

1 Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array.

3 Yahweh's voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.

4 Yahweh's voice is powerful. Yahweh's voice is full of majesty.

5 The voice of Yahweh breaks the cedars. Yes, Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.

7 Yahweh's voice strikes with flashes of lightning.

8 Yahweh's voice shakes the wilderness. Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 Yahweh's voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, "Glory!"

10 Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever.

11 Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.