“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;” (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Sunday, we hosted a gathering from four of our churches in Cancun. We all got to hear the testimonies of a total of nine people awaiting baptism, including two from our group in Alamos. Usually, each church does their own thing, often baptizing in the ocean. Being indoors, though, with a good sound system, allowed us all to hear two excellent Bible messages, plus every word of each testimony. It also helps that we now have a beautiful baptistry. Everyone went away rejoicing over how God works!
Here are a few of the testimonies. I hope that they help to "refresh your bones" as they did ours:
(we are working on putting English subtitles to two short video segments that I hope to post soon as well)
Here are a few of the testimonies. I hope that they help to "refresh your bones" as they did ours:
(we are working on putting English subtitles to two short video segments that I hope to post soon as well)
Mario Fernández preaching from Romans 5:1-11, "The Benefits of Saving Faith". In his early 20's, soon to be married to a faithful young lady in the Iglesia Berea, we think we see a future pastor in him.
The baptism candidates that came with Pastor Jaime Balam (far right) from Iglesia Bautista Berea, downtown Cancun; Misión Bautista Berea, Región 100 and Iglesia Bautista Independiente, Región 236 (Rancho Viejo); missing are the two from our group in Alamos.
Pastor Jaime Balam preaching on baptism from:
“...See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest...” (Acts 8:36-37)
Essentially: only faith in Christ saves us; but now that we are children of God, what kind of children will we be: obedient or rebellious? Baptism is a mark of obedience.
Three years ago, young Alberto was assaulted on the street, so severely beaten that he was not expected to live. He opened his heart to the Lord during the long, hard recovery (the scars are still evident).
He thanked God for his new life in Christ and was very happy to finally be baptized, if the folks in his church (R. 236) would have him!
Susi wept over how the Lord had saved her from a rebellious, hard life. Her deep concern now is for her teenage son who needs for her to be a good example of how to follow Jesus.
Santos was a hard living, hard drinking man until 18 months ago when his little boy walked in on someone he knew who had just committed suicide. The boy was severely traumatized and the whole experience, including how his son has started to bounce back, is what opened Santos' heart to the Lord.
He expressed a desire to be baptized because now he understands what it is about. He wants to be an obedient child of God and to grow stronger in God.
It reminded me of what we had just experienced in the morning. How beautiful it is when believers in their respective churches can get their act together and "bloom" at the same time! Much more impressive than scattered, individual efforts, out of sync with the rest....
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Thanks my brother for sharing these wonderful accounts of lives changed by the grace of God. The flowers and the lady in the middle are indeed a beautiful metaphor of what God can do! Tell Linda we love her. Oh... and I think they are called Mexican Petunias in the U.S. I'd have to see them a little closer to know for sure.
ReplyDelete