Baptism

Baptizing Grace

by Bill Hallsted I was recently asked (again) why the Bible says, in Matthew 28:19, to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” but on the day the church began, Simon Peter said, “be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). The questioner asked, “If the wrong words are said, is the baptism valid?” Behind the question is failure to understand a vital, underlying tenet of Christianity, so important that God spent thousands of years teaching it. The lesson is this: Rules and regulations won”t help

June 24, 2009

The Baptism Bandwagon

By Mark A. Taylor As Jennifer Taylor indicated in her blog May 6, it”s easy to be cynical about bandwagons. But most of us will agree with her that it”s difficult to argue with the results of what may become a trend in Christian churches: spontaneous baptism weekends. So far we”ve heard about a half-dozen churches that have hosted these events. The preacher presents Bible teaching about baptism and then invites anyone in the crowd who hasn”t been baptized to come forward on the spot. The churches don”t make provision for changing rooms and robes. Those who respond are immersed

March 25, 2009

Highlighting the Beauty of Baptism

By Mark A. Taylor This week”s remarkable baptism story from San Dimas, California (see “CHRISTIAN STANDARD Interview: Jeff Vines”) would have fit well with baptism articles featured in our March 1 and 8 issues. But such stories are welcome anytime in CHRISTIAN STANDARD. 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 God”s “power as Lord and Savior through baptism””baptism on the spot, in the clothes people came

March 8, 2009

What Baptism Requests

By Jon Weatherly This article is no longer available online, but all of the articles about baptism that appeared in the March 1 and 8, 2009, issues of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus a bonus article–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). Â Baptism: 7 Practical Perspectives Â Item 02973Â “¢Â $2.99 Â Â What does the Bible teach about baptism? What does baptism symbolize and what does it accomplish? Why is there so much disagreement? Seven writers offer their insights on this controversial but fundamental topic in this 14-page resource that””with the exception

March 8, 2009

Understanding Four Views of Baptism

By Mark S. Krause This article is no longer available online, but all of the articles about baptism that appeared in the March 1 and 8, 2009, issues of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus a bonus article–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). Â Baptism: 7 Practical Perspectives Item 02973Â “¢Â $2.99 Â Â What does the Bible teach about baptism? What does baptism symbolize and what does it accomplish? Why is there so much disagreement? Seven writers offer their insights on this controversial but fundamental topic in this 14-page resource that””with the

March 4, 2009

To Keep, to Share, to Teach

By Mark A. Taylor Many readers will want to share the baptism articles in this and last week”s issue. So we”ve colllected them in aÂ single, convenient downloadable resource to meet that need–and we’re offering it at a special introductory rate. This is just another in a series of helpful resources we”ve made available in this format. YouÂ may remember the others: A Conversation with Skeptics. Jeff Vines helps anyone who has wondered how God can allow evil, pain, and Hell. Item number 02970. 6 pages. $2.99 Ordination. Three articles help churches decide who should be ordained, why, and how churches

March 1, 2009

Remember Your Baptism

By Bruce E. Shields Â This article is no longer available online, but all of the articles about baptism that appeared in the March 1 and 8, 2009, issues of CHRISTIAN STANDARD–plus a bonus article–are available for purchase as a single, redisigned, easy-to-read and easy-to-useÂ downloadable resource/pdf (a fuller explanation is below). Â Baptism: 7 Practical Perspectives Item 02973Â “¢Â $2.99 What does the Bible teach about baptism? What does baptism symbolize and what does it accomplish? Why is there so much disagreement? Seven writers offer their insights on this controversial but fundamental topic in this 14-page resource that””with the exception

March 1, 2009

Brian Jones

What Happened When I Preached on Baptism?

Brian Jones reflects on the pastoral challenge of teaching about baptism, introducing Christian Standard’s Baptism: 7 Practical Perspectives resource and the questions surrounding baptism’s meaning and importance.

February 25, 2009

Brad Dupray

Interview with Joe Grana

Joe Grana discusses baptism as a relational act of faith, a Restoration Movement conviction, and a point of Christian unity without requiring total agreement.

December 7, 2008

Dave Ferguson

Stop Baptizing!

Dave Ferguson challenges church leaders to stop doing all the baptizing and let disciples, family members, and spiritual mentors share in the joy and responsibility of baptism.

January 22, 2006

Gayle L. Gresham

The Public Act of Accepting Christ

How do churches help people respond to the gospel? This article shares real-world approaches—from invitations and counseling rooms to baptism practices—highlighting celebration, clarity, and the next steps of discipleship.

November 30, 2005