24 RELIGIOUS PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY August 16 - 31 , 2017
Wisdom from the Word
Ben Berto
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death , that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father , even so we also should walk in newness of life .
Romans 6 : 4
NKJV buried with Him in baptism , in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God , who raised Him from the dead . Colossians 2:12 NKJV
During the slavery days down south , a discussion took place between a Christian slave and his master about baptism . The slave maintained that baptism meant that a person being baptized is immersed in the water while his master said that that sprinkling is the right way . This went on for quite a long time and neither backed off from their stated position , until one day , the master ’ s horse died . The master told the slave to bury the horse so he went . Taking the master ’ s position that baptism is sprinkling only , the slave sprinkled dust over the horse and went his way . A week later , the master called the slave . “ Didn ’ t I tell you to bury the horse ?” “ Yes , suh , I did ,” replied the slave . “ Then what is that stinking smell ?” said the master . “ Well , suh , you told me that baptism is sprinkling , so I did bury the horse by sprinkling the dust over it ,, suh .” The master got the point but the slave had to do the hard work of burying a
dead horse .
We continue the Statement of Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church regarding baptism , part one .
“ Baptism , as Christians know it today , comes to us from John the Baptist , who was sent by God to prepare the way for the Saviour . “ John came baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins . The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him . Confessing their sins they were baptized by him in the Jordan River ”.( Mark 1 : 4 , 5 . )
There were antecedents to baptism in the Old Testament , with which John the Baptist was surely familiar ; ritual washings and purifications and of course , the story of Naaman the leper . However , John taught a spiritual purification that went beyond the mere physical washing of the body . He called on people to make their baptism a sign that they recognized their sins and had repented of them . He made baptism an impressive event in people ’ s lives which they could not enter into light . John ’ s call to baptism required a definite change in people ’ s lives , thus preparing them for the coming of Jesus . WHY WAS JESUS BAPTIZED
When Jesus went down to the Jordan River and asked John to baptized Him ( Matthew 3 : 13-15 ), He placed His stamp of approval
This We Believe Absolutely — Baptism by Immersion
on John ’ s mission and at the same time signalled the beginning of His own mission to save human beings from sin . While He did not need to be cleansed as others did , by being baptized Himself , Jesus showed that He understood the feelings of sinfulness and unworthiness that are so common to our human experience . By His baptism , He identified Himself with sinners , in their need of a righteousness from God , and He left an example for those who would become Christians . The repentant sinner can identify himself with Jesus as he undergoes this rite . By His sinless life and His death for sinful human beings , Jesus made His righteousness available to everyone . As the believer passes symbolically through death to sin , burial in the baptismal water , and resurrection to a new life in Jesus , he shows his acceptance of that righteousness . For the true Christian , baptism is a public of his faith in God and his acceptance of Jesus as his personal Saviour . ( Acts16 : 30-33 , Romans 10 : 9 ) ( To be continued )
For prayer , questions and Bible study , call Ben at 604-581-1278 , Junjun at 778-927-8040 , and Stanley at 604-700-3053 . You are invited to worship with us every Sabbath ( Saturday ) at the Abundant Life Community Seventh-day Adventist Church at 13062-104 Avenue , Surrey . Welcome .
Our new shepherd , Pastor Leomar Macaraig also takes care of the Vancouver Filipino and Burnaby FilCan SDA churches . His phone number is ; 604-928-3579 . Every Friday , we have a Bible Study with the Pastor . Everybody is welcome to attend , whether you are a Seventhday Adventist or not . The Word of God is for everyone . Our address is 9495- 132 Street , Surrey .
Moments
Fr . Jerry M . Orbos , SVD
The story is told about a young wife who asked her husband : “ Honey , shall I cook for you soup or porridge ?” The husband politely replied : “ Make it first . Then we will name what it is later , okay ?”
In today ’ s gospel ( Mt . 16 , 13- 20 ), we hear how the crowd could not “ name ” who Jesus was . He was many things to many people , a sign of contradiction , a mystery , a controversial person . Jesus tells us today to go beyond public perception which is misleading and divisive . “ But who do you say that I am ?” Let us pause and ask ourselves today : “ Who is Christ for me ?” It is a question that calls for our personal knowledge of , and commitment to Him .
We are called to make our personal stand on issues and personalities that divide us . Traditional media and social media should neither confuse nor control us . Our decisions and views must be borne not just out of emotions or ideologies or affiliations , but out of prayer and reflection . What the Master whispers to us in silence we must shout from the rooftops .
The killing goes on . It is
understandable that chickens that are contaminated with the bird flu virus are killed and slaughtered by the hundreds . But people ? God ’ s commandment is clear : Thou shall not kill . Today , let us ask ourselves : Who is my Master ? What does my Master , the author of life , say about this matter ?
“ For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you , but my heavenly Father .” We take our cue from these words of Jesus as we are confronted with so many issues in our present day and time . We must continue to discern , and listen long and hard to God in prayer . Otherwise , we will end up with shallow , popular , pragmatic , convenient , and safe responses to our present situation .
“… Upon this rock I will build my church , and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it .” This is our assurance that goodness will triumph over evil in the end . The big picture is that there is a spiritual warfare between good and evil in this world . We have to make our personal decision and commitment as to which side we are in . If we choose to follow our Master , we
Here and Now
should be ready to face oppression , persecution , intimidation , and even death .
We have a name for such people who lived for their faith and who did not die in vain — martyrs , we call them .
Tomorrow , Aug . 28 , is the Feast of St . Augustine . He had a brilliant mind , was a man of the world , and with wealth , and he evaded and avoided conversion for the longest time . But in the end , God ’ s grace caught up with him . We believe in the power of prayer , and that no one is beyond redemption . Let us all pray for our continuous conversion , and for the conversion of the proud and Godless .
St . Monica never stopped praying for the conversion of her son , Augustine . Instead of showing anger or disgust , let us continue to pray for erring and misguided persons . This we can do without being condescending or self-righteous , aware that we all are sinners . Think of a “ bad ” person right now , and pray : “ Lord , have mercy on us !”
Think about this : “ There is a God , and you ’ re not Him .” This is
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM
something to ponder on , especially for people who play God , or who think they are not accountable to anyone for anything .
Inviting you to a pilgrimage to Medjugorje , Oct . 10-24 . It starts in Vienna , Austria , then to Medjugorje , via the beautiful Adriatic Sea , with a recollection on board . The highlight is our stay in Medjugorje — a place of silence , prayer and reconciliation — and visited by many pilgrims from all over the world , in search of peace , and a closer relationship with the Lord and Mama Mary . For inquiries , please call the Pilgrims ’ Center : 5238581 to 88 or 09175235456 . Or email : support @ pilgrimage . ph .
Soon it will be September , and December is not far behind . May Christmas be beautiful for all of us , in all aspects this year . Let us continue to pray and work for peace , and make Christmas real in the here and now . A moment with the Lord : Lord , help us to make a stand , and stand up for You , here and now . Amen . ( Inquirer . net )