[Biblemat] Walking in the Light (11/04/07)

Sun Nov 4 20:17:38 CST 2007

Walking in the Light

"For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light."
"The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the
simple." 

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with
one another...."
(Psalm 36:9; 119:130; 1 John 1:7a)

November 4

www.thetfordcountry.com <http://www.thetfordcountry.com/> 

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INFORMATION: My WEB Site  <http://www.thetfordcountry.com/>
www.thetfordcountry.com has just been updated to include the articles and
sermons listed below. All the sermons posted each week to my web site are in
.pdf format.  The PowerPoint charts are also included with ALL the sermons
that are posted to the web site. To access the sermons page, visit the site
and click on "Richard's Page" and then click on "sermons." Please visit the
"Reference Works" links page for updated links to various Bible study
resources. If you are a newcomer to the area or wanting information
concerning the San Juan church of Christ here in Montrose, Colorado, then
click on the San Juan church of Christ Web Site at
<http://www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org/> www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org. Thank
you for visiting my web site and as always, your comments are welcome. 

If you know of someone that would like to receive the "Walking in the Light"
electronic bulletin each week, please send an e-mail message to
<mailto:Richard at Thetfordcountry.com> Richard at Thetfordcountry.com  with their
name and e-mail address and I will add them to the list.

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CONTENTS:

"Having All Things in Common" (Richard Thetford)

"How Many Baptisms Are There?" (Carrol R. Sutton)

"Truth and Freedom" (Richard Thetford)

"What Makes A Pattern in Christianity?" (B. G. Hope)

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HAVING ALL THINGS IN COMMON

Richard Thetford

In Acts 2:44 we read "And all that believed were together, and had all
things common;". There is nothing like Christians getting together to share
their thoughts, hopes, and love with each other! I remember when I was a
child it seemed to me that Christians got together much more than they do
today. Christians need the love and fellowship with each other as often as
we can do so. The ones that gathered on the day of pentecost to hear Peter's
sermon were truly "pricked in their heart" (Acts 2:37), and wanted to do
anything they could for the cause of Christ and for each other. They
realized that nothing was as important as Jesus Christ and obeying His
commandments. Do we feel that way today? 

When we become so convicted to Christ and his love that we would actually
sell our property and possessions, and share them with all that had a need
(Acts 2:45), then I would say that yes, we have reached the point of true
Christianity. This is the attitude that we should have developed within us.
Not that we actually have to go out and sell everything to give to others,
but the attitude that if I needed to do so to help my fellow brother and
sister in Christ I would do so. Those early Christians were truly devoted to
Jesus and wanted to do all they could for Him. When we spend more time with
each other and desire to be with other Christians to gain strength and
encouragement then we will develop into the kind of Christians that God
would want us to be. We will be of one mind, sincere, praise God, and have
favor with all people (Acts 2:46-47).

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HOW MANY BAPTISMS ARE THERE?

Carrol R. Sutton

There are a number of baptisms mentioned in the Scriptures. The Hebrew
writer mentions "the doctrine of baptisms" (Heb 6:1). Note the fact that
"baptisms" is plural. Let us consider different baptisms that are mentioned
in the New Testament Scripture. There are at least six.

1.  BAPTISM UNTO MOSES: In 1 Cor 10:1-2, Paul made note of the fact that all
the Israelites who passed through the sea "were all baptized unto Moses in
the cloud and to the sea."

2.  BAPTISM OF JOHN: The baptism of John is mentioned a number of times in
the Scriptures. Here are some of the passages: Matthew 3:1-2; 21:23-27; Mark
1:1-8; Luke 3:3-17; and Acts 19:1-7. John baptized "with" and "in" water. He
baptized where there was "much water" (John 3:32). John's baptism was "for
the remission of sins."

3.  BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT: Both John and Jesus Christ mentioned Holy
Spirit baptism (Matt 3:10-12; Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:30-34; and
Acts 1:1-8). John promised Holy Spirit baptism to some people of his
generation. His promise did not extend beyond that generation. Jesus Christ
was the administrator of Holy Spirit baptism. It was limited and temporary.

4.  BAPTISM OF SUFFERING: This baptism is referred to in Matthew 20:22-23;
Mark 10:38-40; and Luke 12:50.

5.  BAPTISM OF FIRE: This baptism is mentioned in Matt 3:11 and Luke 3:16.
In view of the general context as well as the immediate one, it seems to me
that this probably referes to the wicked being cast into hell.

6.  BAPTISM OF GREAT COMMISSION: This is the baptism that Jesus mentioned
when he commissioned His disciples to go and teach all nations (Matt
28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16). This baptism would be administered by the
disciples in water "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). It is a baptism
that puts penitent believers INTO Christ (Gal 3:26-27).

>From the above information we can see that at least six baptisms are
mentioned in the scriptures. The baptisms served (or will serve) different
purposes. They were given for different reasons. However, by the time the
apostle Paul penned Ephesians 4:5 (probably about A.D. 64) he declared that
there is "ONE baptism."

How many baptisms are there now? When we consider all that God has spoken on
the subject in the New Testament, we must conclude that there is ONE baptism
today! If you believe there is more than one baptism in effect today, you
need to study God's Word (the Bible) carefully to "rightly divide" the words
God has provided, which we must accept and live by, regardless of what we
may LIKE!

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TRUTH AND FREEDOM

Richard Thetford

Not every slave wears a chain. In John 8:34 Jesus said: "Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin." And in Romans 6:16 the apostle Paul
said: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his
servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience
unto righteousness?" When one commits sin they are serving sin. Each
individual must make up their own mind to whom they are going to obey. Jesus
teaches that no one can serve two masters (Matt 6:24). When one knows the
truth then one can know freedom. Jesus said: "And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Only the truth of the word
can set us free. However, the only way that the truth will be able to set us
free is by learning what the truth is and then obeying the words of Jesus.
It takes more than just believing in Jesus to be saved. He is the author of
eternal salvation ONLY to those that obey Him (Heb 5:9)!  If we do not
strive to KNOW the truth, then freedom will not exist. Please come visit us
at the San Juan church of Christ where freedom in Christ rings!

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WHAT MAKES A PATTERN IN CHRISTIANITY?

B. G. Hope

The sum total of what God has said about anything becomes the pattern for
it. Examine the following statements. Are they true or false?

1. All that God has said about the plan of salvation is a pattern for
salvation to every person.

2. All that God has said about the New Testament church is a pattern by
which it is identified.

3. All that God has said about becoming a member of the Lord's church is a
pattern for everyone.

4. All that God has said about the acts of worship is a pattern.

5. All that God has said about the day to observe the Lord's Supper is a
pattern for Christians.

6. All that God has said about the church and the support of preaching is a
pattern to observe.

7. All that God has said about the church and helping the needy is a pattern
for Christians today.

8. All that God has said about following Christ in Spirit, etc., is a
pattern for us.

I count it safe to follow the information we have in the Bible. I commend
what it says to everyone. James said, "For whosoever shall keep the whole
law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).

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SERMON

Ask For the Old Paths (with PowerPoint Charts)

Sermons can viewed at my web site:  <http://www.thetfordcountry.com/>
www.thetfordcountry.com

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Meets at:

1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C
Montrose, CO   81401
(970) 249-8116

 <http://www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org/> www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org

ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY
Bible Study....................10:00 A.M.
Worship.........................11:00 A.M.
WEDNESDAY
Bible Study......................6:30 P.M.

Evangelist
Richard Thetford

(970) 626-5558

E-Mail:  <mailto:Richard at Thetfordcountry.com> Richard at Thetfordcountry.com

Web Site:  <http://www.thetfordcountry.com/> www.thetfordcountry.com

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Richard Thetford

E-Mail:  <mailto:Richard at Thetfordcountry.com> Richard at Thetfordcountry.com

1491 Canyon Drive, Ridgway, CO  81432

Home: (970) 626-5558

Please visit my web site:  <http://www.thetfordcountry.com>
www.thetfordcountry.com

Evangelist, San Juan church of Christ

 <http://www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org> www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org

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