Baptism & Wedding Vows Renewal

Today is a special day of celebration for our church family and I am so glad that you are here with us. You are called to be witnesses to two special events in the lives of six people. You will hear the testimonies of four who have decided to follow Jesus and are symbolizing that commitment in the waters of baptism. And later you will witness two people who want to recommit their vows of marriage in front of their family, friends, and church family. As witnesses you are called to listen to what they say and help them hold to their words. To keep their word and their promises. You are active participants in these celebrations today. Are you ready and willing to do that?

Baptism Testimonies:

  • Ben Tadt

  • Julio Caraballo

  • Louise Tadt

  • Ruthie Hewson

We start with the baptism of four people – Ben & Louise Tadt, Julio Caraballo, and Ruthie Hewson. They would all like to join our church membership too. Be sure to greet them after the service.

You know how excited you get when you watch your favorite teams play or your kids and grandkids in their games or school programs?  That’s the kind of excitement we should see today. Yes, I know it’s church, but we should all be cheering for these four as they take this step of faith and obedience to Christ and publicly proclaim their allegiance to Jesus Christ as Savior. They are putting on the team jersey and letting everyone know where they stand – they are officially standing with you and I and the rest of the church. This is a team victory!

I hope you will feel free to applaud and cheer “amen” to show them that this is even more important than the performances, good grades or other awards they may achieve at school or work. Today they are putting a stake in the ground and not turning back. They are showing us all that they are committed followers of Jesus Christ. They are publicly identifying with God’s team just as the saints have done for the past two thousand years. What an amazing ordinance or rite to take part in. Jesus commanded only two for the church – communion and baptism. They both illustrate the Gospel and create a bond of unity for believers in the church.

Baptism is clearly seen in Scripture as the way to tell the world that I’m a Christian. It is not the way we are saved. Every time someone was baptized in the Bible, they had already made a conscious and prayerful decision to trust Jesus as Savior. Baptism then is a symbol or act of obedience. Jesus commanded His followers to go into the world, preach the Gospel, baptize new believers, and disciple them in the faith. That’s why we don’t practice infant baptism because the baby has no idea what’s going on.

Baptism illustrates unity with Jesus Christ. Just as He died for our sins, was buried, and then rose again, Ben, Julio, Louise and Ruthie will be lowered into the water in a picture of death to sins, burial, and then rising to new life in Christ. This is a perfect picture of our Salvation in Jesus Christ – which again is why it is only for believers and not babies.

Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12

Baptism also illustrates unity in the Church. Everyone who joins the church, must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the same way after trusting Christ as Savior. This is the example we have from the New Testament: always salvation and then baptism. In Acts 2 we read “So those who received his word were baptized and there added that day about three thousand souls.”

Ephesians 4:4-5

Marriage Vows Renewal: Paul & Carmen Andrews

Celebrating twenty years of marriage and renewing their vows to God and each other.

Scripture:

Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24

Mark 10:6-8

Ephesians 5:21-28

Philippians 2:1-5

1 Corinthians 13:1-7