I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven
over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who
do not need to repent.
Luke 15:7
Heaven's joy-bells must be clanging overtime these days... Again yesterday we attended a baptism-service; this time our niece and some of her friends! I was struck anew by how, with all the differences that may be visible on the outside due to culture, denominations, etc
The Invisible is the same; the only name whereby we can be saved; (Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12)
Everyone baptized in every service we have attended in four different settings over the past few months were baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
(Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Matt.28:19)
so what is Baptism? A visible declaration of an invisible transformation when we
repent and obey the command to then be baptized!
(Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph.2:8-9
The above version of this hymn written by William Cowper (pub.1772)
skips a few gorgeous stanzas...
There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel’s veins, And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains; And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in His day; And there have I, though vile as he, Washed all my sins away: Washed all my sins away, Washed all my sins away; And there have I, though vile as he, Washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its pow’r, Till all the ransomed church of God Are safe, to sin no more: Are safe, to sin no more, Are safe, to sin no more; Till all the ransomed church of God Are safe, to sin no more.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die: And shall be till I die, And shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die.
When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue Lies silent in the grave, Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save: I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save; Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.