All aboard!

because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

1 peter 3:20,21 ESV

The apostle Peter compares baptism to the ark that Noah built, that saved Noah and his family from the great flood. The reason God flooded the earth was because mankind had become so sinful. Only a few were saved from destruction because Noah obeyed God and built the ark. Peter says they were “brought safely through the water”, while the rest of humanity perished in their sins.

Peter then says “baptism which corresponds to this, now saves you”. What Peter is saying is that just as the ark saved Noah and his family from destruction, today baptism will save you from destruction.

It was by faith that Noah built the ark, filled it with all the animals and his family saving them from certain destruction. God commanded the ark be built, Noah obeyed the command, God gave salvation.

Today we need to act in faith, God has commanded baptism for the forgiveness of sins, through Jesus, Matthew 28:19 and the apostle Peter Acts 2:38 as well as in other scriptures in the New Testament. Peter said baptism now saves you. It would seem that it is a good idea to get on board with God's plan for salvation today. His plan for salvation in Noah's day was the ark, today His plan for salvation is baptism.

Peter said that baptism is not a “removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”. If you want your conscience cleared and all you sins removed, it happens when one responds to Jesus command to be baptized.

Get on board!

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman

the Critical Care Unit

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24,25 NIV

The church is the spiritual Critical Care Unit for those seeking much needed spiritual care. The church is the body of Christ, it is where we get what we need to keep us spiritually healthy. If one doesn't meet together with the church it is hard to maintain a healthy walk in Christ.

The Hebrew writer shares some important thoughts in chapter ten. He speaks about considering how to spur one another on to love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together and encouraging one another. Really he is talking about what is necessary for a Christian's spiritual well being.

When he says “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”. He saying let's put our heads together and find ways of helping one another love as Christ did and find ways of doing good for others as He did.

He then says “let us not give up meeting together”, because not meeting with the church is a bad habit to get in to. It is when we are together that we are the strongest. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says this; “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”. NIV There is strength in numbers. When we meet together regularly we grow stronger, we are better equipped to withstand all that the world has to throw at us.

His final point is to remind us that our meeting together is how we encourage one another to remain faithful until the end. Just like crowds gather at a sporting event to cheer their team on to victory, we need to gather to cheer each other on to victory in Christ.

So visit the Critical Care Unit when they gather, get the much needed spiritual care to help you on your way. Not only will you get the help you need , you will be giving help to others as well.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman