New Member

DSCN0772Bethany rejoiced on Sunday June 15 as  Brother Joseph Wise came forward at the conclusion of service and asked for a home in the church and baptism. He was gladly received and will be baptized on first Sunday in July after lunch at the church. Baptism after lunch is to give his brother, Elder Jonathan Wise, and his wife an opportunity to witness this once in a life time experience. This brother had been demonstrating a great interest in church and the Bible for quite awhile. He and his father, Elder Larry Wise, were eating lunch in McDonald’s in Gulfport, MS, far removed from Bethany, when he suddenly asked what he needed to do to join the church. He pulled his cap over his eyes and started to cry and so did his Dad. He was told what to do on Sunday and he had the courage to actually follow through with that desire. It seems that so many have a desire to join the church and ask for a home but they never follow through with that desire.

The Bible tells us about how to follow Christ. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24). Baptism does not affect our eternal destiny but it surely affects our lives here on earth as we become members of the local body of believers and are privy to all the benefits of membership in that body including the privilege and participating in the Communion Service and partake of the bread and wine and washing of the feet of the saints. Peter tells us of the deliverance (Saving) that is experienced in baptism, whether old or young as Brother Joseph. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (I Peter 3:21).

Pray for this brother and all the other members of the church family that they will be strong in the power of His might and show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. There is a unity in the church family that when one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers and when one member rejoices, the whole body rejoices. Pray that more be led of the Spirit and not to quench the Spirit but follow it right into a commitment to Christ through baptism. June 16, 2014–Elder Larry Wise

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About wisepb

Pastor: Bethany Primitive Baptist Church
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