Baptism Stories Continue to Encourage Churches
Mark A. Taylor reflects on recent baptism stories from San Dimas, California, Savannah, Georgia, and suburban Philadelphia. He points readers to Christian Standard baptism resources and encourages churches to keep sharing stories of changed lives.
- Recent baptism stories show the impact of presenting baptism in simple, biblical terms.
- Christian Standard gathered several baptism-related articles into a downloadable teaching resource.
- Churches are encouraged to keep sharing stories of how baptism is changing lives.
By Mark A. Taylor
This weekโs remarkable baptism story from San Dimas, California (see โCHRISTIAN STANDARD Interview: Jeff Vinesโ) would have fit well with baptism articles featured in our March 1 and 8 issues. But such stories are welcome anytime in CHRISTIAN STANDARD.
Baptism Stories from California and Georgia
Last fall, for example, both our weekly e-newsletter and blogger Arron Chambers reported on a similar story from Savannah (Georgia) Christian Church. Senior pastor Cam Huxford walked into a pool on the church platform October 5 and invited attendees to declare Godโs โpower as Lord and Savior through baptismโโbaptism on the spot, in the clothes people came to church in.โ According to the churchโs weekly newsletter, โIt . . . was amazing as people streamed down the aisles while applause thundered.โ
The church reported 196 baptisms during services at its three campuses that day!
Such stories underline the appeal of baptism when it is presented without apology in simple, biblical terms. But in past years some in Christian churches have emphasized baptism to the exclusion of other important doctrinesโwhile some others seem not to have emphasized it at all!
Thankfully neither happened in San Dimas or Savannahโor suburban Philadelphia where Brian Jones preaches. As he reported in our March 1 issue, he credits his uncompromising stand on baptism as a key factor in his churchโs growth. We believe the same is happeningโor could happenโin many places.
Downloadable Resources on Baptism and Christian Churches
So weโve put Brianโs story, along with the other features about baptism from our March 1 and 8 issues, into a convenient downloadable teaching resource. It also includes essays by Bruce Shields and Jon Weatherly, an interview with Joe Grana, a book review by Mark Krause, an introduction by Paul Williams, and a classic reprint by Robert O. Fife. Itโs available at www.standardpub.com for only $2.99. (Item number 02973.)
While youโre at our Web site, you may also discover our newest download, a digital version of our popular โWhat Kind of Church Is This?โ This has been available in a paper version (item number 13266) for many years, and hundreds of thousands have been distributed.
Now, for only $9.99, you can also order a digital copy to post on your churchโs Web site or distribute to anyone who wants to know more about the history and unique plea of Christian churches and churches of Christ. (Item number 02974.)
Meanwhile, please keep telling us how the beauty of baptism is making a difference in lives your church is touching. Weโre ready to publish more stories like these.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
