THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 3, NUMBER 11,  APRIL 13, 2003

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

            Certainly all true Bible students know that in every case of conversion in the book of Acts, baptism is included.  Now there are several reasons for this, first and foremost being the fact that baptism is for the remission of sins, and thus absolutely necessary for salvation.  But the fact that everyone was baptized also tell us something else.  In each case the people involved were told what they needed to do.

            In Acts 8, we find Philip in Samaria.  In verse 12, we read, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  How did they know that baptism was something they needed to do?  Because it was included in “preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ.”

            Later on in Acts 8 Philip is with the Ethiopian eunuch.  In verse 35, we are told, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”  In the nexty verse we find the eunuch saying to Philip, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?”  How did he know about baptism?  Obviously the need to be baptized was included in “preaching unto him Jesus”.

            In Acts 16, the Apostle Paul was in the city of Philippi.  On a Sabbath day he went down to the river and met there a woman named Lydia.  About this woman we read in verses 14 & 15, “…whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul.  And when she was baptized, and her household…”  How did she know to be baptized?  Because it was part of the “things which were spoken by Paul.”

            Later in the same chapter we find the account of the Philippian jailer.  In verses 32 & 33, we read, “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his straightway.”  How did this jailor know to be baptized?  Evidently it was part of the “word of the Lord”.

            The point that I am trying to make is simply this, none of these people would have known what to do if they had not been told.  I’d like to present something now for us to give serious consideration.

            In the past couple of years I have attended gospel meetings at which I have known that there were non-Christians present.  When it came time to offer the opportunity to respond to the gospel, the preachers have said something like, “If we can help you in anyway, please come forward.”  What does that mean?  And more importantly, what does that mean to the non-Christian who may have never heard what the Lord would have him or her to do to be saved?

            Others have said, “If you need to become a Christian, come forward while we stand and sing.”  Again I ask, what does that mean?  How does the person know what they are going to have to do when they get up front?  That is not the distinctive, clarion call of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Here at Northern Kentucky it is a rare occurrence indeed for us not to have a visitor at our services, and that includes both times on Sunday and also Wednesday evening.  A non-Christian does not know what to do and they need to be told.  I personally believe that it is very beneficial for Christians to hear again and again what the Lord would have a person to do to be saved.   If the “plan of salvation” starts to be left out of sermons and invitations, it will not take very long at all for a new generation to arise who will not know it.  All it took was one untaught generation in the days after Joshua for the people to “know not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

            I truly believe that it is vitally important for a non-Christian to hear what he or she needs to do when they attend one of our services, it may be the only time they will hear it.  It also does nothing but good for Christians to hear it over and over.  So, perhaps those who give the invitations on Wednesday nights can think about making sure that they tell the people what God would have them to do.  It is hard to respond to an invitation to obey if you don’t know what you are obeying or how to do it.

                                                Greg Litmer

WELCOME

We rejoice with the angels of heaven at the baptism of Mark Insprucker on Friday, April 4.  If you haven’t had an opportunity to meet Mark and his kids, make it a point to do so. 

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE CLASS

The Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8, Mk. 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) plus the Discussion of the Vision (Matt. 17:9-13, Mk. 9:9-13, Luke 9:36)

BIBLE TALK CONTINUES ON WTSJ, 1050 ON THE AM DIAL, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AT 1:30 – 2:00 PM.

PLEASE LISTEN AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT IT.

ALSO, PLEASE CALL IN WITH QUESTIONS.  YOUR CALLS ENCOURAGES OTHER LISTENERS TO CALL.