Podcasts about Baptism

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. 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Trinity Press International, 1996. Key use: Essential source for early Christian architectural adaptation, especially the shift from domestic and semi-domestic gathering spaces toward more specialized Christian buildings. White's work is useful for showing that early Christian architecture develops inside a broader Roman social and architectural world, not in isolation.White, L. Michael. The Social Origins of Christian Architecture, Volume II: Texts and Monuments for the Christian Domus Ecclesiae in Its Environment. Trinity Press International, 1997. Key use: Companion volume for the textual and archaeological evidence behind the domus ecclesiae, early meeting spaces, and the built environment of pre-Constantinian Christianity.Yale University Art Gallery. “Christian Building.” Dura-Europos: Excavating Antiquity. Key use: Strong anchor for the Dura-Europos Christian building and its wall paintings. Yale notes that the Christian paintings were uncovered in 1932 and that Clark Hopkins described the murals as preserved from more than three-quarters of a century before Constantine recognized Christianity in 312.Yale News. “House Call: A New Study Rethinks Early Christian Landmark.” 2024. Key use: Useful cautionary source for not oversimplifying Dura-Europos as merely a domestic “house church.” The report highlights recent scholarship reexamining how domestic the Dura Christian building really was and why its architectural classification needs care.Smarthistory. “Dura-Europos.” Key use: Accessible overview of Dura-Europos as a multicultural Roman frontier site, including the adapted Christian building used as a meeting place and baptistery in the first half of the third century.Peppard, Michael. The World's Oldest Church: Bible, Art, and Ritual at Dura-Europos, Syria. Yale University Press, 2016. Key use: Major source for the Dura-Europos Christian building, its baptistery, biblical imagery, ritual use, and the danger of reading the site too simply through later church categories.Snyder, Graydon F. Ante Pacem: Archaeological Evidence of Church Life Before Constantine. Mercer University Press, revised edition, 2003. Key use: Important archaeological source for Christian life before Constantine, especially material evidence for worship, burial, symbols, and everyday Christian practice before public imperial privilege. Mercer University Press identifies the book as focused on archaeological evidence of church life before Constantine.Jensen, Robin M. Baptismal Imagery in Early Christianity: Ritual, Visual, and Theological Dimensions. Baker Academic, 2012. Key use: Core source for baptismal images, ritual meaning, water, initiation, death and rebirth, and the way visual programs frame baptismal practice.Jensen, Robin M. Understanding Early Christian Art. Routledge, 2000. Key use: Early Christian visual culture, catacomb imagery, baptismal scenes, Good Shepherd imagery, Jonah, Daniel, Lazarus, and the visual language of salvation and resurrection.Ferguson, Everett. Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries. Eerdmans, 2009. Key use: Major historical and theological source for baptismal practice, initiation, immersion, anointing, catechesis, and the development of baptismal rites.Johnson, Maxwell E. The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation. Liturgical Press. Key use: Development of initiation rites, catechumenate, baptism, post-baptismal rites, and how Christian initiation becomes structured over time.Spinks, Bryan D. Early and Medieval Rituals and Theologies of Baptism: From the New Testament to the Council of Trent. Ashgate, 2006. Key use: Long-range ritual and theological development of baptism, useful for tracking how early baptismal space later becomes more formalized.Britannica. “Catacomb.” Key use: Baseline definition of catacombs as subterranean cemeteries composed of galleries or passages with recesses for tombs; useful for correcting the popular misconception that catacombs were primarily secret churches rather than burial landscapes.Stevenson, James. The Catacombs: Rediscovered Monuments of Early Christianity. Thames & Hudson, 1978. Key use: Classic overview of Roman catacombs, burial architecture, inscriptions, symbols, and early Christian memory.Rutgers, Leonard V. Subterranean Rome: In Search of the Roots of Christianity in the Catacombs of the Eternal City. Peeters, 2000. Key use: Catacombs as archaeological and social evidence, including burial practice, community identity, and the relationship between Jews, Christians, and Roman funerary culture.Fiocchi Nicolai, Vincenzo, Fabrizio Bisconti, and Danilo Mazzoleni. The Christian Catacombs of Rome: History, Decoration, Inscriptions. Schnell & Steiner, 2002. Key use: Detailed treatment of catacomb history, inscriptions, burial spaces, and visual programs.Brown, Peter. The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity. University of Chicago Press, enlarged edition. Key use: Essential source for the holy dead, saint veneration, relics, tombs, pilgrimage, and the way corporeal remains became central to Christian religious life. The University of Chicago Press describes Brown's work as exploring how worship of saints and their corporeal remains became central to religious life in Western Europe.Brown, Peter. The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity. Columbia University Press, 1988. Key use: Christian body theology, asceticism, holiness, discipline, and why the body is so central to late antique Christian imagination.Yasin, Ann Marie. Saints and Church Spaces in the Late Antique Mediterranean: Architecture, Cult, and Community. Cambridge University Press, 2009. Key use: Churches, saints, relics, cult practice, community identity, and how sacred spaces are organized around holy bodies and memory.Grabar, André. Martyrium: Recherches sur le culte des reliques et l'art chrétien antique. Key use: Classic work on martyr shrines, relic cult, and the relationship between architecture, art, and the holy dead.van Gennep, Arnold. The Rites of Passage. Key use: Separation, liminality, and incorporation. Crucial for baptism, catechumenate, thresholds, initiation, and the movement from outsider to insider.Turner, Victor. The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Key use: Liminality, threshold states, ritual transition, and communitas. Useful for baptism, catacomb descent, martyr devotion, and controlled access.Kilde, Jeanne Halgren. Sacred Power, Sacred Space: An Introduction to Christian Architecture and Worship. Oxford University Press, 2008. Key use: Christian buildings as arrangements of power, worship, divine presence, and embodied access. Useful for thresholds, sanctuary divisions, nave, altar, and congregation.Kieckhefer, Richard. Theology in Stone: Church Architecture from Byzantium to Berkeley. Oxford University Press, 2004. Key use: Church architecture as theology made spatial. Useful for altar, pulpit, nave, threshold, symbolic layout, and worship practice.Krautheimer, Richard. Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture. Yale University Press / Pelican History of Art. Key use: Classic architectural history for early Christian and Byzantine buildings, including the shift from pre-Constantinian spaces to basilicas, baptisteries, martyr shrines, and later monumental forms.Mathews, Thomas F. The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art. Princeton University Press, 1993. Key use: Early Christian imagery, visual conflict, ritual meaning, and the development of Christian art within the Roman world.Elsner, Jaś. Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph: The Art of the Roman Empire AD 100–450. Oxford University Press, 1998. Key use: Roman visual culture, Christian adaptation, imperial imagery, and the shift into Christian public art and architecture.MacMullen, Ramsay. Christianizing the Roman Empire: A.D. 100–400. Yale University Press, 1984. Key use: Social and historical context for Christian expansion before and after Constantine, useful for understanding how Christian space changes as Christianity grows.Mango, Cyril. Byzantine Architecture. Key use: LonAlso want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

Many Christians have questions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.What is it? Is it for believers today? Does it always happen the same way? How do you know if you've received it? And what role does speaking in tongues play in the experience?In this conversation, Jeff and Adrienne Rogers share two remarkably different experiences with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Adrienne was raised in a Lutheran church and believed she already had everything she needed spiritually. Jeff spent years pursuing a deeper experience with God and wrestling through questions of faith, scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit.What followed challenged many of their assumptions and ultimately transformed the course of their lives.Rather than presenting a formula, their stories reveal something many Christians never realize: God does not always work the same way in every person. The baptism of the Holy Spirit can look very different from one believer to another while producing the same hunger for God, intimacy with Him, and desire to walk in His power.In this episode, we discuss:⇨ The baptism of the Holy Spirit⇨ Speaking in tongues and prayer language⇨ Whether spiritual gifts are still active today⇨ Pentecost and Acts 2⇨ Faith, expectation, and receiving from God⇨ Hearing God's voice⇨ Miracles and the power of prayer⇨ Walking in the fullness of what God has for believersWhether you have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit yourself, are seeking it, are skeptical of it, or simply want to understand what the Bible teaches, this conversation offers a thoughtful and honest look at a subject that has shaped the lives of Christians for generations.

A common trap in the Christian life is the “graduation mindset”: I got baptized, received First Communion, got confirmed… I'm good. Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks argue that this is not only false—it quietly starves your soul. This episode is a practical invitation and blueprint for continual conversion: ongoing reaffirmation with Jesus that turns faith from a box you checked into a life you live.Father lays out a simple foundation that makes growth sustainable: Sunday Mass, monthly confession, daily prayer (15 minutes to an hour), spiritual reading, and a dose of silence. Once those basics are in place, faith begins to “take on a life of its own.” You start pulling on a thread—an event, a parish opportunity, a lead—and it opens doors you didn't plan: Bible study, new friendships, new discoveries, deeper prayer, real formation. And God isn't passive in any of it—He attracts, invites, and prepares opportunities without manipulating your freedom.Joe adds what this looks like in real practice: don't stay a passive listener to Scripture. Put yourself in the scene. Notice the emotions that aren't written down. Ask what the apostles needed their readers to understand and why. That habit of deeper attention builds a stronger interior life—and even changes how you hear the homily at Mass. The call is simple: keep going deeper, because depth is what breaks the “I did this once, I'm done” illusion.Key IdeasThe “I'm done” mindset (post-sacraments) is spiritually costly; the antidote is ongoing conversion.A durable foundation: Sunday Mass + monthly confession + daily prayer + spiritual reading + silence.Growth often starts with a small “thread” (event/opportunity) that becomes a habit and opens unexpected doors.God draws without coercion: invitation, attraction, prepared opportunities—no manipulation.Go deeper in Scripture by entering the scene: emotions, relationships, motives—not just facts.Links & References (official/source only)Hallow (official):https://hallow.com/Bible in a Year (Ascension, official):https://ascensionpress.com/pages/bibleinayearCatechism in a Year (Ascension, official):https://ascensionpress.com/pages/catechisminayearJeff Cavins (official):https://www.jeffcavins.com/CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com .Tags (comma-separated)Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, continual conversion, ongoing conversion, sacraments, baptism, first communion, confirmation, Sunday Mass, confession, monthly confession, daily prayer, spiritual reading, silence, Scripture, Bible study, catechism, formation, discipleship, Catholic life, parish life, retreat, pilgrimage, parish mission, Eucharistic adoration, holy hour, daily Mass, Hallow app, Bible in a Year, Catechism in a Year, Jeff Cavins, homily, spiritual growth, curiosity, habits, events to habits, freedom, God's invitation

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260602dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 God Speaks About Himself in the Plural It’s a small detail, but it makes you stop and think: “Let us make… in our image.” From the very beginning, God speaks of himself in the plural. This is not confusion or contradiction. It is a quiet glimpse into the mystery Christians later confess in more detail. The one true God is triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here, already in creation, the triune God is at work together. And what is the result of this divine counsel? Humanity. You were not an after-thought or an accident. You were created intentionally, personally, and wonderfully. The triune God crafted human beings in his own image, capable of knowing him, reflecting his holiness, and living in perfect relationship with him and with one another. But when we look at ourselves and our world, something feels off. The image is cracked and distorted. Sin has broken what God made perfect. Instead of reflecting God’s holiness, we often reflect selfishness, pride, and fear. Instead of living in harmony, we experience division and pain. Yet the triune God did not abandon what he made. The Father sent his Son into the world. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son, is called “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Where we have failed to reflect God, he does so perfectly. He lives the life we could not live and dies the death we deserved, restoring what was broken. And the Holy Spirit continues God’s creative work even now. Through the gospel, he renews hearts and reshapes lives, restoring the image of God within us. What was shattered is being made whole again. So, when you hear God say, “Let us make,” remember that this same triune God is still speaking and still working. You are not forgotten or without purpose. You were created by God, redeemed by God, and are being renewed by God. Prayer: Thank you, triune God, for your continuing work in me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

What should a pastor do when a child sincerely wants to be baptized in Jesus' name, but a parent refuses to give consent?In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, UPCI General Superintendent Dr. David K. Bernard offers biblical and pastoral guidance for one of the most sensitive situations a church may face. Apostolic Pentecostals believe baptism is part of the biblical plan of salvation described in Acts 2:38, but pastors must also consider the God-given authority of parents, the age and maturity of the child, and the long-term spiritual impact of their response.Dr. Bernard explains why pastors should respect parental rights, follow the Golden Rule, and trust the grace and mercy of God while ministering to children and families with wisdom, patience, and compassion.If you are a pastor, parent, youth worker, or believer seeking biblical clarity on baptism, parental authority, and pastoral responsibility, this conversation provides practical insight from an Apostolic Pentecostal perspective.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

Do you keep falling into the same traps: gossip, lust, anger, overspending, judgmentalism, or other sins that hold you back? If you feel stuck in a cycle you can't break, this episode is for you.-Feel free to email us with any questions at info@servingbb.org or for more information check out our website at https://servingbeyondborders.org-Follow us on:Instagram - @servingbeyondbordersYouTube - Serving Beyond BordersFacebook - Serving Beyond Borders-"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. . ." Mark 10:45-TUNE IN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-radical-christian-life-with-doug-and-paula/id1562355832

Speaker: Dr. Justin Nalls, Lead Pastor

During the First Friday gathering in Saginaw on May 1, Bishop Gruss quoted Pope Francis and reminded listeners that every baptized person is called to be a missionary disciple.“A missionary disciple is someone who knows Jesus personally, loves Him deeply, follows Him faithfully, and shares Him boldly,” he said in his talk. (View the video below or watch it HERE.)He stressed that evangelization is not about having all the answers, but about sharing one's encounter with Christ.“A witness is someone who says, ‘I have met the Lord and He has changed my life,'” Bishop Gruss said.Bishop Gruss reflected on the Sacrament of Confirmation and missionary discipleship, and encouraged Catholics to rediscover the power of the Holy Spirit already at work within them through the Sacraments. He emphasized that Confirmation is inseparable from missionary discipleship. “The Spirit was poured upon the Church for one reason,” he said. “To evangelize.”“Wake Up the Sleeping Giant”Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and rely less on self-sufficiency. “The Holy Spirit is already in you,” he said. “But perhaps He's dormant. Wake up the sleeping giant in your life. You have everything you need to live as a disciple of Jesus in the world today.”First Friday attendees were encouraged to pray simple prayers each day asking the Holy Spirit to become more active in their lives.He also encouraged young people preparing for Confirmation to approach the Sacrament with openness and courage. The Sacrament of Confirmation is meant to be a life-changing moment in one's life and call to discipleship, as it was for the disciples of the early church."“Don't be afraid to live an extraordinary life in Christ,” he said. “Christ is calling all of us to be saints.”Speaking during the Diocese's confirmation season, Bishop Gruss reflected on visiting parishes across the Diocese to celebrate Confirmation with young people. “Confirmation is not an ending. It doesn't complete anything. It's a beginning,” Bishop Gruss said.He explained that Catholics often reduce the Sacraments to events they attend rather than encounters with Jesus Christ himself. “When we look at the Sacramental life merely as events, then we have diminished them by 99.9%,” he said.Instead of saying, “I'm going to Mass,” Bishop Gruss suggested Catholics think differently: “I'm going for an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.”Jesus Is the One Who ConfirmsBishop Gruss reminded attendees that Jesus himself is the minister of every Sacrament. “Jesus baptized you. He confirmed you. He gave himself to you in Holy Communion,” he said. “In the Sacrament of Confirmation, he uses my thumb.”Reflecting on his own Confirmation and Baptism dates, Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to learn and celebrate those dates as important milestones in their lives of faith. “These are two of the most important dates,” he said, “more important than your birthday.”He urged Catholics to contact the parish where they were baptized to obtain their Sacramental records and reflect more intentionally on those moments of grace.Confirmation and the Holy SpiritDrawing from the Acts of the Apostles, Bishop Gruss compared Confirmation to the transformation experienced by the apostles at Pentecost. Before receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles hid in fear. Afterward, they boldly proclaimed the Gospel.“Peter went from fear and denial of Jesus to being a strong, faithful witness of the Gospel,” Bishop Gruss said. “Everything changed.”"That same Holy Spirit is given to the disciples is given to each person in the Sacrament of Confirmation, not diminished in any way. This is why it should be a profound life-changing experience."Bishop Gruss encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord to “bring alive the grace” of Confirmation again in their lives.“The Spirit is never dead,” he said. “Ask the Holy Spirit to ignite your faith.”

The Greatest Gift To Mankind- The Baptism Of The Holy GhostThe greatest thing God could give you is himself!

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260601dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 All Three Persons at the Beginning Before anything existed, God was already there. He did not emerge from the darkness. He spoke into it. With nothing but his powerful word, he brought everything into being. These opening words of the Bible remind us that creation is not random or accidental. It is intentional, ordered, and purposeful because it comes from God himself. And already here, at the very beginning, we see the mystery and beauty of the Trinity. The Father is the Creator, the one who wills and designs. The Spirit of God is hovering over the waters, present and active, sustaining and preparing. And the Son is the One through whom all things are made. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together bring light into darkness. That matters more than it might seem at first. The same triune God who created light out of darkness is the one who speaks into the darkness of our lives. There are times when life feels formless and empty, when sin, guilt, or uncertainty leave us without direction or hope. Left to ourselves, we cannot create light. We cannot fix what is broken. But God still speaks. Just as surely as he said, “Let there be light,” he has spoken again to us in his Word. In Jesus, the living Word, God steps into our darkness. He brings forgiveness where there is guilt, life where there is death, and clarity where there is confusion. The Spirit continues to hover, working through the Word to create faith in hearts that were once empty. So, when your world feels chaotic or empty, remember where everything began. Not with darkness, but with God. And where God speaks, light always follows. Prayer: Lord God, thank you for putting me into this world you have created. Continue to bless me with the promises of your holy Word. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this message, Pastor Jay Tyler explores the significance of Pentecost and the purpose behind the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. This message examines the continuing availability of the promise today, and why believers need the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit more than ever. If you've ever wondered why the Baptism in the Holy Spirit matters, what Pentecost means, or how the Holy Spirit empowers believers for daily Christian living, this message will encourage you to seek all that God has promised.

What does true repentance really mean? In this message from Matthew chapter 3, Pastor Woody explores the powerful message of John the Baptist and reveals that repentance is far more than feeling sorry for sin. Biblical repentance is a complete change of mind that leads to a changed life. Discover why confession brings healing, why mindset matters, what it means to turn toward God, and how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live transformed lives. Whether you're struggling with recurring sin, seeking spiritual growth, or wanting a deeper relationship with Jesus, this message will challenge and encourage you to take your next step of faith.  

The Catechism introduces the seven sacraments that Christ offers the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Catechism highlights the fact that the sacraments are “by the Church” because the Church is “Christ's action at work”, and they are “for the Church” because they “manifest and communicate to men…the mystery of communion with the God who is love.” Fr. Mike focuses on the fact that while ministerial priests administer many of the sacraments, their priesthood is at the service of the baptismal priesthood, into which all of the baptized are ordained. Today's readings are from Catechism paragraphs 1113-1121. This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Long before church history became filled with councils, creeds, and formal traditions, early Christians were already learning how to live as faithful followers of Jesus.In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany introduce the Didache, one of the most important early Christian writings outside the New Testament. They explain how this ancient document helps us understand the worship, discipleship, church practices, and spiritual priorities of believers in the first generations of the church.Chapters:01:20 What Is the Didache?The Didache is one of the most important early Christian writings outside the New Testament. Its name means “teaching,” and its full title presents it as instruction passed from the Lord through the apostles to the Gentile church.03:00 Was the Didache Written by the Apostles?The Didache was likely not written directly by the apostles, but it was compiled very early in church history. It functions like an early church handbook for Christian living, worship, and church practice.05:30 How the Didache Was Lost and RediscoveredThe Didache was highly valued by early Christians, but it was not included in the New Testament canon because it was not apostolic Scripture. After disappearing for centuries, it was rediscovered in 1873.07:30 The Four Main Sections of the DidacheThe Didache is organized around four major themes: the way of life and the way of death, instructions for baptism, fasting, and communion, guidance for handling traveling teachers, and a final call to live ready for Christ's return.08:30 The Two Ways: Life and Death The Didache begins by presenting two paths, the way of life and the way of death. This theme echoes Scripture's call to choose the narrow way that leads to life, reminding believers that discipleship includes both right belief and faithful obedience.11:15 Baptism, Fasting, and Holy Preparation The Didache gives practical instructions for baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while allowing flexibility in how it is practiced. It also connects baptism with fasting, showing that the early church treated baptism with seriousness, reverence, and spiritual preparation.14:15 Communion, Worship, and Reconciliation The Didache presents simple instructions for communion and Sunday worship, including thanksgiving, confession of sin, and gathering together as the church. It also emphasizes reconciliation before worship, reminding believers that repentance and worship belong together.19:15 Living Ready for Christ's Return The Didache ends with a call to watchfulness and faithfulness in light of Christ's return. Though it is not Scripture, it remains a valuable witness to how early Christians practiced apostolic teaching through worship, holiness, repentance, hope, and faithful obedience.“It might be an ancient document, but its call to us is fresh. Follow Christ seriously, joyfully, and together.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260531dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 A Mystery for Our Comfort Already at the very beginning of time, we see God in three persons working to bless us. God the Father created all things. The Holy Spirit participated in a miraculous way as he hovered over the waters, and the apostle John reveals that it was through Jesus, God the Son, that all things were called into being. The Bible clearly teaches that there is one God in three persons. Each person, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is separate and distinct, yet there is only one God. In other words, One + One + One = One. Obviously, this equation does not add up. Throughout history, people have tried to understand the mystery of the triune God. But no matter how hard we try, finally, it just doesn’t add up. But should it really surprise us? Is it really all that unreasonable that we can’t completely fathom the all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-holy God? When we are confronted with this mystery, there are two ways we can respond. We can arrogantly raise our voices and argue with the creator of heaven and earth, or we can humbly bow our heads in worship to praise the one who is above all. The Holy Spirit moves us to do the latter. With the psalmist, we can proclaim: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain” (Psalm 139:6). But the Bible doesn’t reveal the triune God only to humble us, but also to comfort us. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were active and working in creation, they were also active and working in our salvation. The Father sent his one and only Son. The Son freely offered his life for our sins. The Spirit brings what Jesus accomplished to us personally by creating faith in our hearts, enabling us to receive forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life. Prayer: Almighty God, you are beyond my understanding and intellect. Thank you for revealing yourself to me in the pages of the Bible, and leading me to your Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

This Sunday, we are blessed to observe both the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper at the beginning of the 11:00 A.M. service. We are also beginning our study of the book of 1 John. This short book was written to give believers the God-ordained grounds of assurance. John's first readers were being confused by false teachers who had separated from the church (1 John 2:19) and claimed to have the true knowledge of God and salvation (2:20-21). This led gospel believers to question their standing with God through Jesus. Throughout the book, John will provide tests by which the reader can "know they have eternal life" (5:13), which is the purpose of the book. Assurance is a wonderful blessing and a necessity for following Christ joyfully and faithfully, but assurance not based on God's own word is presumption rather than real assurance. Only God's word gives us the grounds of assurance to examine and know that we have eternal life. But before John launches into any tests of assurance, he immediately proclaims the identity of Jesus. Only the true Jesus, whom the apostles proclaimed, is able to save. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter what we are right about. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter how morally we live or what spiritual knowledge we have. Everything rests on this foundation: The Christ whom the apostles proclaim is fully God and fully man, and He is the only Word of Life and the only fellowship with God. I. Only the True Jesus Is The Word of Life (v. 1-2) II. Only the True Jesus Gives Fellowship with God (v. 3-4)

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Phil Hancock 

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Phil Hancock

Message from Lic. Aaron Arnold_RBL on May 31, 2026

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260530dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 7:37 Swank or Saving? Exclusive. Trendy. Natty. Dapper. Chic. Swank. These adjectives describe Ty Nant. Ty Nant is a company in Wales that bottles and sells water. In 1976, a water diviner instructed a British farmer to bore beside his house through 100 feet of rock. He did. And he hit a powerful spring. Thirteen years later, the water that wells up adjacent to the stone farmhouse was on the market. And these days, Ty Nant bottled water graces the tables of some of the world’s most esteemed restaurants. Ty Nant’s water may wet one’s taste for being trendy or chic, but it cannot quench the thirst of the soul. That’s because every person enters this world with a hellishly parched soul. Ty Nant’s hydrating properties can’t soothe such sin-scorched souls. And Ty Nant’s social status can’t soften what is shriveled in death. But there is water that springs from eternity. It is effervescent from the peace and power of Almighty God. It cannot be discovered by any human diviner, but is graciously revealed in the divine man, Jesus Christ. In his own words, Jesus explains: “Let anyone who is thirsty, come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This is not about being swank but being saved from our accursed selfishness. This is not about being trendy but being quenched in our thirst for life with God. This is not about being chic but being confirmed in a child-like faith that declares, “Jesus is my Savior from sin.” Ty Nant, when translated, means “House by the Stream.” How chic! But Jesus Christ opens his home in heaven to us. Ty Nant is temporarily trendy while Jesus Christ is eternally satisfying. And Jesus is free. Prayer: Dear Jesus, when I’m feeling down or worried or sad, help me realize that I’m experiencing spiritual thirst. Then help me turn to you and your promises to quench my thirst. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Word That Creates All Things | Holy Trinity Sunday Sermon | Genesis 1:1–2In this Holy Trinity Sunday sermon, Pastor David Balla explores Genesis 1:1–2 and the biblical truth that the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Discover how the eternal Word, Jesus Christ, was present at creation and how the same Lord entered His creation to redeem sinners through His death and resurrection.This Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) sermon examines the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, Christian creation, the Gospel of John, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the comfort believers receive from Christ in times of suffering, uncertainty, and death. Learn how Scripture reveals that we are not accidents of chance but beloved creatures created, redeemed, and sustained by God's grace.Whether you are studying Genesis, exploring Lutheran theology, seeking a Bible-based sermon, or looking for encouragement rooted in Christ alone, this message points to Jesus as Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.Support this ministry:Buy Me a CoffeeWebsite:https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalphSubscribe for more LCMS sermons, Bible studies, daily devotions, Christian teaching, and confessional Lutheran content centered on Jesus Christ and His Means of Grace.Hashtags#HolyTrinitySunday#Genesis1#LCMSSermon#LutheranTheology#JesusChrist

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPart 2 — Core Citations / BibliographySecondary Works and Reference SourcesEncyclopaedia Britannica. “Perpetua.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Polycarp.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Relations between Christianity and the Roman Government and the Hellenistic Culture.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Decius.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Diocletian.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Catechesis: Instructing Candidates for Baptism.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Kerygma and Catechesis.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Exorcism.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Eucharist.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Early Christian Art.”Smarthistory. “Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome.”Vatican Museums. “Jonah Sarcophagus.”Yale News. “House Call: A New Study Rethinks Early Christian Landmark.”Yale News. “Yale Art Gallery Painting Might Be Oldest Known Image of the Virgin Mary.”Yale University Art Gallery. Materials on Dura-Europos and the Christian Building/Baptistery.Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Chi-Rho.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Paschal Controversies.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Melito of Sardis.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christology: Early History.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Docetism.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Adoptionism.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Cerinthus.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Theodotus the Tanner.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “St. Ignatius of Antioch.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Apologist.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Saint Justin Martyr.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “First Apology.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Dialogue with Trypho.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Celsus.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Apologetics: Defending the Faith.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Tertullian.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Athenagoras.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “First Letter of Clement.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “St. Cyprian.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Novatian.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Saint Irenaeus.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Aversion of Heresy: The Establishment of Orthodoxy.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “The Process of Canonization.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Late 2nd-Century Canons.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Muratorian Fragment.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Biblical Canon.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Codex.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Authority and Dissent.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Christianity: Relations between Christianity and Judaism.”Joshua Ezra Burns. “The Parting of the Ways in Contemporary Perspective.” In The Christian Schism in Jewish History and Jewish Memory. Cambridge University Press.Adam H. Becker and Annette Yoshiko Reed, eds. The Ways That Never Parted: Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Fortress Press.Judith Lieu. Neither Jew nor Greek? Constructing Early Christianity. T&T Clark.Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Constantine I.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Arianism.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “First Council of Nicaea.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Saint Athanasius.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Festal Letters.”Encyclopaedia Britannica. “First Council of Constantinople.”Primary Texts UsedThe Martyrdom of Polycarp. Used for the early literary shaping of martyrdom, witness, bishop-martyr memory, and the theological interpretation of death.The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity. Used for imprisonment, trial, visions, martyrdom, and the rare preserved voice of a female Christian martyr.Apostolic Tradition, traditionally associated with Hippolytus. Used for baptismal preparation, catechumenal scrutiny, exorcism, fasting, vigil, renunciation, oil, and immersion.1 John 4. Used for the anti-docetic pressure around confessing Jesus Christ as having “come in the flesh.”Ignatius of Antioch. Letter to the Smyrnaeans. Used for Christ's real flesh, real suffering, Eucharistic theology, and bishop-centered unity.Ignatius of Antioch. Letter to the Philadelphians and related letters. Useful backup for episcopal unity, Eucharistic order, and anti-schismatic arguments.Melito of Sardis. On Pascha. Used for Paschal theology, Christ as Pascha, typology, and Christian interpretation of Passover.Justin Martyr. First Apology. Used for apologetics, public defense, accusations against Christians, Eucharistic misunderstanding, and Christian worship.Justin Martyr. Dialogue with Trypho. Used for Christian-Jewish polemic, scriptural inheritance, fulfillment arguments, and the hardening separation between Christianity and Judaism.Athenagoras. A Plea for the Christians / Embassy for the Christians. Used as a major example of second-century apologetics addressed to imperial authority.Athenagoras. On the Resurrection of the Dead. Used as a philosophical Christian defense of resurrection.Tertullian. Apology. Used for Latin apologetics, Christian defense against Roman accusation, and the combative posture toward pagan criticism.Tertullian. Prescription Against Heretics. Useful backup for rule of faith, public apostolic teaching, and anti-heretical boundary-making.Origen. Against Celsus. Used for Celsus' pagan critique and Origen's major intellectual defense of Christianity.Celsus. The True Word / True Doctrine. Survives mainly through Origen's quotations and refutations; used for educated pagan criticism of Christianity.First Letter of Clement. Used for early ministry order, Roman intervention in Corinth, appointed bishops and deacons, and the emerging logic of succession.Cyprian of Carthage. On the Unity of the Catholic Church. Used for episcopal unity, schism, discipline, and the theological seriousness of the bishop's office.Novatian. De Trinitate. Used as a witness to mid-third-century theological conflict and Roman Latin theology.Irenaeus. Against Heresies. Used for anti-gnostic consolidation, rule of truth, fourfold Gospel authority, apostolic succession, and public apostolic memory.Eusebius. Ecclesiastical History. Used for the Paschal controversy, Polycarp and Anicetus, Victor and Polycrates, Irenaeus' intervention, early church memory, and the broader historical framing.The Didachē. Used as part of the wider early Christian literary world that remained influential outside the final New Testament canon.Letter of Barnabas. Used for anti-Jewish polemic, allegorical reading of Hebrew Scripture, and Christian claims over Israel's inheritance.The Shepherd of Hermas. Used as an example of a beloved early Christian text that was widely read but later excluded from the New Testament canon.Apocalypse of Peter. Used as part of the wider early Christian apocalyptic library that circulated before the canon fully closed.Muratorian Fragment. Used for the late-second-century Roman list of recognized Christian writings and the emerging shape of the New Testament.Cyril of Jerusalem. Mystagogical Catecheses. Used for post-baptismal instruction and the interpretation of initiation after the rite had been received.Ambrose of Milan. On the Mysteries and On the Sacraments. Used for mystagogical teaching, baptismal interpretation, anointing, and sacramental instruction.The Nicene Creed / First Council of Nicaea, 325. Used for creed formation, anti-Arian settlement attempts, and the conciliar compression of Christological conflict.Athanasius. Festal Letter 39. Used for the earliest surviving list matching the 27-book New Testament canon recognized in the mainstream tradition.Constantinopolitan Creed / First Council of Constantinople, 381. Used for the later stabilization and expansion of Nicene theological identity.Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. A

In life, there are things we simply have to do. Who determines this? God alone is responsible for setting the rules! It is our job as His children to follow them. As people, we have many different opinions and beliefs on what is necessary, but if we desire to follow God, we must find out what He says. So this week, we look again at what He says. The aim is that we would all be doers of the Word and not hearers only.  Focus: Mark 16:16  All Verses Covered: Matthew 3:13-17, John 3:5,7,22, Mark 16:14-19, Acts 2:38  Original Air Date: May 28, 2026  We have bible studies via Zoom every Monday at 7 pm Central Standard Time. Here is the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7979242078  Got a topic you want us to cover in our Facebook live streams? Fill out our form here: https://jmsbible.com/requests View all of our topics in one place here: https://jmsbible.com/messages.  We go live every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm central time. Join us LIVE on our Facebook page to ask questions and get live answers! Even if you disagree with something we say, mention it to us so we can see what the scriptures say!  If you have any questions about a specific scripture or topic and would like for us to discuss it on our Facebook live streams, please contact us here: https://www.jmsbible.com/contact. We are open to any and all questions or concerns.  If you would like to donate, our CashApp tag is $JoyStorm12. Thank you for all of your support!  Joy in the Midst of the Storm Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMSBible/

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260529dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” John 7:37 Thirsty The Southwestern United States has a breathtaking beauty all its own. If you ever go on a hike, however, anyone with experience will make something very clear: Keep drinking water. Here’s why. In such a region, the air is so dry that it draws moisture from your body without you realizing it. When that happens, dehydration can set in. The level of dehydration can quickly reach a point where your mind grows confused, disoriented, and unable to process what’s happening. In other words, your dehydration can become so severe that you may not realize you need water. The fallen world in which you and I live is a spiritual desert. As I live, work, and move about, the cultural air around me is steadily dehydrating my soul. Left unchecked, my heart can quickly grow confused, disoriented, unable to process what’s happening. In other words, my spiritual dehydration can become so serious that I no longer comprehend that I need water. Sin does that. Your sin and mine. It steadily works to dry up my soul. It steadily works to remove even my awareness that I have drifted away from the only Savior I am ever going to have. And our sin would love nothing more than for you and me to keep wandering and stumbling through the desert of this world until it's too late. Enter Jesus. In a loud voice, he says to you and me, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” The Son of God has gone to great trouble to bring us the water we need. He became one of us. He entered the desert of our broken world. On our behalf, he lived a life of perfect goodness. In our place, he endured the white-hot heat of God's punishment for our sin. And three days after his death, he raised himself back to life. And now, as our living Savior, he brings us the water we need. He brings us his Gospel—the good news of what he has done to wash our sins away. It is that water the Holy Spirit uses to refresh us, restore us, and bring us home. Prayer: Holy Spirit, refresh me in Jesus. Keep me close. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

When a Christian receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, that Christian is “endued with power from on high.” But what does that mean? How will the miracle-working power of God impact our daily lives? How should we think about this power and how can we use this power? In this study we look at all of these questions and learn how we can start walking in God's power today.

Few topics create more discussion among Christians than baptism. Is it simply an outward sign of faith, or does the Bible teach that it plays a role in salvation?In this episode of The 412 Christian Podcast, Eli, Keeton, and special guest Carson Heupel dive into Scripture to examine what the Bible actually says about baptism, grace, faith, repentance, and salvation. We look at key passages, common arguments from different perspectives, and challenge listeners to let God's Word guide their conclusions.Whether you've wrestled with this question for years or you're hearing the discussion for the first time, our goal is simple: pursue biblical truth and grow closer to Christ.

Should we keep sinning since Christ already died and atoned for all of our sins? Paul's answer to whether we should simply sin in the face of abounding grace is clear: absolutely not! In baptism you were buried with Christ and raised to walk in a new life. Grace does abound over and against sin, but sin is no longer your master because you have a new one—Jesus—and this master gives life. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   The Rev. Kale Hanson, senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Romans 6:1–23.  To learn more about Zion Lutheran, visit zionbethalto.org. Why does doing the right thing sometimes feel impossible? Why do feelings of guilt follow us even when we've been forgiven? These aren't new questions. St. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans for a church he had never visited, and yet he addressed the struggles every Christian knows firsthand: the weight of the law, the persistence of sin, the sufficiency of what God has done in Christ. Romans covers enormous ground. Paul moves from the universal problem of sin through justification by faith, the role of baptism, the war between flesh and spirit, God's faithfulness to Israel, and the shape of life together in the body of Christ. There's a reason the Reformation was born in this letter. Join us on Thy Strong Word as we open up Romans, weekdays at 11am or on-demand anytime, at KFUO.org.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

You have Christ in you. The question is, are you doing anything with that?Fr. Dominic opens this homily with something personal. At 27 years old, Fr. Dom gave his life to Christ and could not stop taking Him everywhere: to strangers, to the workplace, to every corner of his life. That is exactly what it means to be a Christian. And most men are not doing it.Fr. Dom breaks open the 6th Sunday of Easter readings and zeroes in on one of the most underappreciated figures in the entire Book of Acts, Philip. He is casting out demons, healing the paralyzed, and filling an entire city with joy. He goes to Samaria because that is exactly where the darkness was thickest. He does not wait for permission. He goes.Then Peter and John show up from Jerusalem to finish what Philip started by the laying on of hands on the newly baptized and conferring the Holy Spirit. What you are watching in this first reading is the Catholic Church being built in real time. Baptism. Confirmation. The diaconate. The episcopate. All of it right there in Acts of the Apostles. The same Church you walked into this Sunday.Here is the challenge: The most dangerous thing in the world is when good men do nothing in the face of evil. You are fully initiated. You have been baptized. You have been confirmed. You carry the same Holy Spirit that Philip carried into Samaria. The world is not waiting for a priest or a bishop to fix it. It is waiting for you. Walk out those doors and engage.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260528dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Jesus stood and said in a loud voice… John 7:37 Loud Voice How often do you picture Jesus speaking in a loud voice? Over the years, countless artists have depicted Jesus with his gentleness in mind. Over the years, composers of hymns have depicted Jesus with his quiet humility in mind. Over the years, illustrators of children’s Bible storybooks have depicted Jesus with tenderness in mind—and for good reason. After all, when our Savior walked on this earth, he possessed all of these qualities, and he possessed them perfectly. Nevertheless, a steady stream of these depictions in art, music, and children’s illustrations may lead us to a misleading presumption. A benign, harmless picture of Jesus from my childhood may give my adult self the idea that Jesus sits quietly in a distant corner of my world, hands folded, mild smile on his face, ready to offer a hand when asked, but determined not to be a bother. Such an idea about Jesus might be convenient, especially when my old, sinful self does not want him getting in my way. But such an idea is wrong. The apostle John records that, when needed, Jesus did not hesitate to speak in a loud voice. He was determined to command people’s attention. He was determined that people fix their eyes on him. He was determined that people hear him. This reminds us about something in connection with the Word of God. God’s Word is not simply information. In God’s Word, there is power. And the Holy Spirit uses that power to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, to melt hearts of spiritual stone—and to open ears that are spiritually deaf. Never forget that, through his Word, Jesus Christ is speaking to you. He is speaking to you with patience. He is speaking to you with persistence. But he is also speaking to you with urgency. And, when needed, he will not hesitate to speak to you in a loud voice. He is determined to command your attention. He is determined that you fix your eyes on him. He is determined that you hear him. After all, he died to wash you clean. And now he lives for you. He loves you that much. Prayer: Holy Spirit, use the power of my Savior's Word to penetrate and renew my heart. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Defenders: Doctrine of the Church (Part 5): Baptism as an Ordinance - Continued

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260527dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Life-Giver The camera pans over an old, abandoned farm truck that has been sitting in the woods for decades. Ivy covers it. Moss covers it. A small tree grows through a rusty hole. Mice have built a nest in the cab. And over the years, the wheels have settled into the dirt. But then along comes a cheerful backyard mechanic by the name of Derek Bieri. With basic tools and good-natured humor, Derek goes to work on the hulk sitting before him. Despite setbacks and disappointments, he patiently persists until the thrilling moment when the long-forgotten truck roars to life and comes out of the woods under its own power. This is the magic behind the wildly popular YouTube program entitled “Vice Grip Garage.” Each episode features a dead and forsaken car or truck that Derek manages to bring to life. One thing is for certain. These vehicles do not repair themselves. They start and run only because of Derek. By nature, I am far worse off than any rusted wreck left in the woods. Not only am I born spiritually dead, but my attitude towards the true God is downright hostile. On my own, I have no ability whatsoever to trust in Jesus as my Savior from sin. There’s a greater likelihood that a dead farm truck from “Vice Grip Garage” would bring itself to life and drive itself out of the woods. But that’s where the Lord comes in. Not only did he send his Son to become human and live a perfect life in my place. Not only did Jesus pay for my every sin through his death at Calvary’s cross, but he also raised himself from the grave. He has even sent God the Holy Spirit to bring my spiritually dead heart to life. Through the power of the Good News of Jesus, the Spirit has created within me the miracle of faith. And through this miraculous faith, I now receive full forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life as my personal possessions. Giving life: There’s nothing the Holy Spirit enjoys more. Prayer: Holy Spirit, my heart was dead. But through your gospel you have brought me to life. Thank you. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this lesson, we explore the Old Testament background to baptism and the long biblical journey that led to the practice of water immersion in the time of Jesus. The story begins with the priests of Israel, who were commanded to wash with water before entering the Tabernacle and serving in the presence of God. Over time, the prophets expanded this imagery and began connecting “washing” with sin, repentance, cleansing, and forgiveness. What was once required only for priests gradually became part of the spiritual preparation of all worshipers seeking to come near to God. By the first century, ritual immersion through the mikvah had become a powerful expression of repentance, purification, and renewed covenant faithfulness. These immersions form the immediate backdrop to the baptisms we encounter in the New Testament. In this study, we trace how the Bible develops the symbolism of water—from priestly cleansing in the Torah to the “baptism of repentance” proclaimed by John the Baptist and practiced by the early followers of Jesus. We also explore how immersion symbolized not merely external washing, but the cleansing of the heart and even the conscience before God. Ultimately, God alone forgives sin. Yet throughout Scripture, physical actions often become sacred signs that embody inward faith and repentance. Baptism is one of those powerful covenant rituals: a public confession, a turning away from sin, and a visible declaration of a new identity before God. Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/old-testament-origins-of-baptism www.figtreeteaching.com Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://youtu.be/z6IGkYT460A Book Mentioned: Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan - Waters of Eden: The Mystery of the Mikveh https://amzn.to/3OAImVC

In this lesson, we explore immersion and the symbolism of water as one of humanity's oldest and most universal rituals. Drawing from ancient Near Eastern thought, the book of Genesis, and the writings of the New Testament, we trace how water represents chaos, creation, death, and rebirth across cultures and Scripture. From the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis 1 to Naaman's immersion in the Jordan, from Paul's theology of baptism in Romans 6 to Jesus' promise of “living water” in John 4, we uncover how baptism fulfills a deep, archetypal longing for renewal embedded in the human story. Water is more than cleansing—it is a return to the womb of creation, a symbolic burial, and a rising into new life. Join us as we explore how this ancient ritual becomes a profound window into spiritual transformation and union with Christ. For the full written article, see: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_immersion_and_the_symbolism_of_water.pdf ----------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026 Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/baptism-immersion-and-the-symbolism-of-water-explained Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://youtu.be/Aeb7p3SgGbI Book Mentioned: Mircea Eliade - Patterns in Comparative Religion https://amzn.to/4rxSHjC Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan - Waters of Eden: The Mystery of the Mikveh https://amzn.to/3OAImVC

The After the Message Podcast returns with Episode 3 as we dive into some of the biggest questions people wrestle with when it comes to salvation, baptism, and following Jesus.In this episode, we tackle:Baptism & Salvation: What's actually required for someone to be baptized, and is baptism necessary for salvation?Too Far Gone?: Is there such thing as being unreachable by God, or beyond redemption?Boldness in Your Faith: What does it actually look like to boldly live out your faith, not just through what you say, but through the way you live, love, and represent Jesus daily?Join us for an honest and practical conversation about grace, transformation, and what it really means to belong to Jesus.Connect with Us:Next Steps: https://celebrationorl.org/Subscribe: Don't miss an episode or message—follow along!Follow Us: Instagram: https://bit.ly/2MConG0 / Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Yxe6h7Feedback: Have questions? Need prayer? DM @celebrationorl or email celebra...

Abundance isn't a business cliché—it's a spiritual reality most of us underuse. In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks unpack an “abundance mindset” through the lens of faith: the human gifts we notice (marriage, family, friendships) and the supernatural riches we often forget (baptismal identity, forgiveness, Mass, the Church as family, communion with the saints). The question isn't whether God gives abundantly. The question is whether we practice receiving those gifts—and build habits that make them real in daily life.Father offers a simple framework for making the abundance of Christ usable: events → habits → knowledge. Events (retreats, pilgrimages, special liturgies, novenas, missions) “strike the match.” Habits keep the flame burning (Mass, adoration, prayer rhythms). Knowledge anchors and integrates what we experience (learning the doctrine behind what we felt). Joe brings it home: don't build a wall between “faith life” and “real life.” When you integrate the gifts of God into relationships, work, and ordinary conversations, you become more fruitful—and that fruit becomes a sign you're moving in the right direction.Key IdeasAbundance starts with gratitude: name what you've already been given instead of living like it's scarce.The faith offers “untapped riches”: baptismal identity, mercy, Eucharist, supernatural family, communion with saints.The integration path: events create ignition, habits sustain, knowledge stabilizes.Many gifts become meaningful only after repetition—sometimes you “do it” before you fully “get it.”Don't separate church-world and life-world; abundance grows when it flows into relationships and service.Links & References (official/source only)None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript.CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com .Tags (comma-separated)Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, abundance mindset, abundance, gratitude, gifts of God, baptism, divine life, forgiveness, hope, Mass, Eucharist, Body and Blood, Church as family, communion of saints, angels and saints, vocation, priesthood, monastic life, conversion, ongoing conversion, spiritual habits, spiritual disciplines, retreat, pilgrimage, parish mission, novena, Eucharistic adoration, holy hour, daily Mass, real presence, Scripture study, Bible study, evangelization, serving the poor, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, Marian consecration, relationships, integrate faith, supernatural family

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit | Pentecost Sunday at Cornerstone ChurchWhat is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?Is speaking in tongues biblical?Why did Jesus tell His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father?In this powerful Pentecost Sunday message, Pastor Jonathan Morgan and Trevin Durant teach on the person, power, and purpose of the Holy Spirit. From Acts 1 and Acts 2 to the ministry of Jesus Himself, this sermon explores what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit empowers believers to live beyond empty religion into a supernatural life of boldness, power, intimacy, and transformation.Jesus didn't only come as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world — He also came as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.In this message:• The difference between salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit• Why Pentecost still matters today• What the Bible says about speaking in tongues• How the Holy Spirit empowers believers• The purpose of spiritual gifts and supernatural power• How to receive the Holy Spirit by faith• The role of the Holy Spirit as Comforter, Teacher, Counselor, and HelperScriptures referenced:John 1:29–34Acts 1:4–8Acts 2:1–181 Corinthians 6:19____________________________ Sundays at 8:30 & 10:30 AMWe are branded by the fire of God. We carry the fire of God to ignite our generation to burn for Jesus. Find us:www.fuquayrevival.comwww.facebook.com/cornerstonefuquayig: @cornerstonechurch.fv

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260526dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. Acts 2:14 Lesson Learned Jerry Seinfeld is one of the most successful comedians of his generation. Before his career blossomed, however, Jerry learned a hard lesson. He describes the first time he ever went up on stage. Until that moment, he says, you assume that the audience is in a mood to laugh, and as long as you're reasonably funny and say a few funny things, you’ll be just fine. That assumption died the moment he began to speak. The audience fell into a dead silence. As you stand there, Jerry says, all you can hear is the sound of your own quivering voice. The shock was so great that he could not remember his material. He retreated from the stage, crushed. That experience, however, stripped away his false assumptions and replaced them with a true understanding of what it takes to make it in the world of entertainment. The night before Jesus was crucified, the apostle Peter had a brutal lesson to learn. His, however, was far more serious, far more profound. Until that night, Peter had assumed that, on his own, he was strong enough and brave enough to stand up for his master. After Jesus’ arrest, however, Peter’s assumption died the moment someone simply asked him if he was a follower of Jesus. The strength and bravery he thought he had were not there at all. Instead of saying, “Yes, I’m a follower of Jesus,” Peter lied. He said he didn’t even know this Jesus. And when two more people challenged him, he lied to them, too. That night ripped away Peter’s false assumptions. He realized what a broken sinner he really was. But Jesus replaced Peter’s false assumptions with a true understanding. He carried Peter's sinful failures to the cross. He died for them. Then he raised himself from the dead. Ten days later, after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, Peter had another opportunity to stand up for Jesus. This time, Peter spoke boldly. The bravery and strength, however, did not come from Peter. They came from the good news of what Jesus had done. Our bravery and strength come from the same place. Prayer: Holy Spirit, teach me the same lesson you taught Peter. Make me a bold witness for Christ. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Weekly Sunday sermons from Pastor Mike Powers and other members of our Pastoral Body. Richland Creek Community Church gathers to glorify God in worship, grow as disciples of Jesus, and go on mission with the gospel. For more, visit richlandcreek.com.Main Idea: Believers joyfully identify with Christ and His church through baptism.1.  Baptism is after salvation.2. Baptism is a matter of obedience.3. Baptism is the first step into the church.

"America was designed to destroy baptism" is a famous quote from Dr. Steven Paulson and his appearance on the Thinking Fellows live show in 2017. Caleb and Scott are joined by Dan van Voorhis to examine the truth behind Dr. Paulson's statement. Together, they explore the rejection of infant baptism in American Protestantism and how this shift has often turned faith and knowledge into meritorious works within Protestant theology. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman

In this episode, Doug and Paula begin a walkthrough of R. A. Torrey's pamphlet, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Every Christian needs the power of the Holy Spirit, yet past experiences and misunderstandings have often muddied the waters. What has your experience been?-Feel free to email us with any questions at info@servingbb.org or for more information check out our website at https://servingbeyondborders.org-Follow us on:Instagram - @servingbeyondbordersYouTube - Serving Beyond BordersFacebook - Serving Beyond Borders-"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. . ." Mark 10:45-TUNE IN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-radical-christian-life-with-doug-and-paula/id1562355832

Every believer is becoming one of two things: driftwood, carried aimlessly by the currents of culture, offense, and emotion, or dynamite, an earthen vessel filled with the explosive supernatural power of God. Apostle Raley preached a powerful message, drawing from Acts 1:8, unpacking 5 reasons we desperately need the Holy Spirit: He is our Comforter and Advocate, He helps our weaknesses in prayer, He teaches and illuminates truth, He gives us miracle-working power, and He tames the one thing no human strength can control, the tongue. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not for a past generation but for every hungry believer today, because God never called us to drift through life; He called us to carry fire! Visit https://calvaryfl.com for more!

The 3rd Baptism | Pastor Chad Dingess | Pentecost Sunday | 05/24/2026 by Bethesda Church

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260525dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Utterly amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?” Acts 2:7 Adventure Awaits Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a solid, stable small town. It has a population of about ten thousand. It has a high school and a public library. It has a movie theater and a bowling alley. To grab a bite to eat, you can stop by Lulu’s Diner, RJ’s Coffey Cup, or The Alpha Cafe. And every August, you can attend the county fair located just outside the city limits. Wapakoneta is a great place to raise a family. At the same time, its citizens admit that it’s not the kind of place that automatically comes to mind when you think of famous figures or high adventure. But thanks to a 10-minute plane ride at a local air show, a 6-year-old farm kid by the name of Neil Armstrong got the flying bug. Three decades later, Neil Armstrong was the face of one of the world’s great adventures. He was the first man to set foot on the moon. In the first century A.D., the region of Galilee was not known for much of anything. In fact, many in Jerusalem looked down on Galileans as being just a bit unsophisticated, a bit rough around the edges. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, it came as a shock for people in Jerusalem to see and hear several men from Galilee stand up and do something extraordinary. By a miracle, God the Holy Spirit empowered these Galileans to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a variety of different languages. And the adventure did not stop there. In the years to come, these same men would travel far and wide proclaiming what Jesus had done to take away the sins of the world. By the power of the gospel, that same Holy Spirit brings people today to faith in Jesus as their Savior. And through this miracle of faith, they receive full forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life in heaven. And adventure awaits them in their future. The Lord will use them to pierce the darkness of this world, to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am now yours through faith in you. Let my adventure begin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In Part One of the Empowered series, Pastor Jay Tyler explores “The Promise of the Father” and the biblical foundation for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you've ever felt spiritually weary, dry, or like you're running on empty, this message is a reminder that God never intended His people to live powerless. The Promise of the Holy Spirit is still available today for all who hunger and thirst for more of God.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

The weekly adult Sunday School class at OAG taught by Mr. Johnnie Powell.** Edited to remove personal information shared in the class and extended pauses **Title: Baptized in the Spirit: Gifts, Fruit, and the Power WithinSummary: The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings real, everyday power — a prayer language, boldness, and nine spiritual gifts — and the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) is the visible evidence of that Spirit at work in a believer's life.Approximate Outline:00:00 - Welcome & Opening Prayer01:50 - The Baptism of the Holy Spirit03:06 - Pentecost: The Historical Setting07:55 - Wait — What the Holy Spirit Does10:02 - Peter's Boldness & Jesus' Power13:44 - Gifts of the Holy Spirit16:26 - The Fruit of the Spirit20:38 - Growing in the Fruit24:17 - Closing Prayer