Have you ever just
wanted a do over in life?
00:00:01.36\00:00:04.33
Do you want that feeling
of a brand new, fresh start?
00:00:04.37\00:00:08.27
Did you know that Jesus
offers that to you right now?
00:00:08.30\00:00:12.81
If you are wondering
how that is possible,
00:00:12.84\00:00:15.48
stay with me, friends.
00:00:15.51\00:00:17.25
My name is Cami Oetman,
00:00:17.28\00:00:18.65
and this
Unlocking Bible Prophecies.
00:00:18.68\00:00:22.82
The rise of an
international pandemic.
00:00:22.85\00:00:24.79
Breaking news
about the Coronavirus.
00:00:24.82\00:00:26.19
Polarizing global politics.
00:00:26.22\00:00:28.22
The
mismanagement and corruption.
00:00:28.26\00:00:29.59
Increasingly
destructive natural disasters.
00:00:29.62\00:00:31.96
Bushfires in
Australia are a warning
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of what may be to
come around the world.
00:00:34.16\00:00:36.33
What does it all mean?
00:00:36.36\00:00:37.70
What does the future hold?
00:00:37.73\00:00:42.57
Join international
speaker Cami Oetman
00:00:42.60\00:00:44.84
on a journey for answers
in Unlocking Bible Prophecies.
00:00:44.87\00:00:48.84
In her travels around the world,
00:00:48.88\00:00:50.61
she's come face to face
with real life struggles,
00:00:50.65\00:00:53.38
but in the midst of them,
she's found miracles of hope.
00:00:53.42\00:00:57.69
Join Cami Oetman for
Unlocking Bible Prophecies
00:00:57.72\00:01:01.12
as she shares how Bible prophecy
00:01:01.16\00:01:02.92
is being fulfilled
faster than ever before.
00:01:02.96\00:01:06.06
Can you believe
that we are on topic
00:01:14.04\00:01:16.00
number 13 of 14 for
Unlocking Bible Prophecies?
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I would love to
know how many of you
00:01:20.61\00:01:22.88
have watched all
13 sessions so far.
00:01:22.91\00:01:25.98
Yesterday's program was a
thrilling study of prophecy.
00:01:26.01\00:01:29.12
Many of you expressed
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how encouraged you are to
know that God has a people
00:01:30.52\00:01:33.76
that He is
preparing for the end time.
00:01:33.79\00:01:36.42
He is coming to rescue us soon
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and take us home to
heaven for eternity.
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If you and I do not meet
here on this earth, friend,
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I look forward to
meeting you inside
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the holy city on
the streets of gold.
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Now, if you have missed any
programs, go to awr.org/bible
00:01:49.54\00:01:53.64
for an archive of
the entire series.
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Since the topics
builds on each other,
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please be sure to try
and watch them in order.
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Tonight we will
look at the new life,
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a fresh start that is
available through Jesus.
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You know I was amazed
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when I first joined
Adventist World Radio
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and witnessed two
whole villages hike 48 miles
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through jungle mountains
to meet us at a waterfall
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for baptism.
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What a beautiful event.
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They have been studying
their Bibles with their radios
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and wanted a new life in Jesus.
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What is the new
beginning look like?
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How can you
experience a clean slate?
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Let's pray together before
we dive into tonight's topic.
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Heavenly Father, Lord, thank
You so much for providing us
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with Your words so that we
have a clearer understanding
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of what You desire
for us and from us.
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Lord, help us to have
a deeper understanding
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and fall deeper
in love with You.
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And tonight as we look at
this topic of baptism together,
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Lord, in Jesus'
precious name, amen.
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Come with me as we
look to our perfect example,
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found in Matthew Chapter 3.
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We can visualize Jesus
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making His way on a
dusty trail to meet John
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the Baptist for the first time.
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Something unprecedented
is about to happen.
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Jesus hikes from Nazareth
down to the Jordan River.
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A buzzing excited multitude
is gathered on the riverbank.
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The crowd is
enthralled by John's words,
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"Repent and be
baptized for the kingdom
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of God is at hand."
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As John is in the midst
of his thundering discourse,
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he suddenly stops.
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For a moment there is silence.
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His eyes zeroed in on one man.
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He has never sensed
such pure holy character.
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The crowd notice the
pause, who's John staring at?
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A feverish hum of
whispers spread throughout
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the congregation.
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Who is that guy?
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They do not
recognize their Kingly Messiah.
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Even though John has
never seen Him before,
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the Holy Spirit
reveals this is the Son of God.
00:04:17.52\00:04:22.59
Jesus eyes meet
John's and request baptism.
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But John vigorously
tries to talk Him out of it.
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"I am the one who
needs to be baptized by You."
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John says, "So why
are You coming to me?
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But Jesus says,
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"It should be done
for we must carry out
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all that God requires."
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So John agreed to baptize Him.
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He yields and leads the Savior
down into the Jordan waters.
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As the two men
stand in the water,
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we can picture John
putting one hand on Jesus' back
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and raising his
other hand toward heaven.
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The crowd is in awe,
and Jesus is immersed,
00:05:01.10\00:05:05.57
buried beneath the water,
00:05:05.60\00:05:07.77
and as Jesus comes
up out of the water,
00:05:07.80\00:05:10.51
a new and important
era is opening before Him.
00:05:10.54\00:05:15.18
He is now on a wider stage,
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His ministry has begun.
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He knows that He is entering
the conflict of His life.
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He exits onto
the bank with water
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streaming from His garment,
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making little mud
pools in the dust.
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It was then that the
heavens opened, and John sees
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the Spirit of God
descending like a dove
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and settling on Jesus.
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The people stand
silent, gazing upon Christ,
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His form is bathed in light,
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His upturned face is glorified,
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like they have
never seen before.
00:05:55.52\00:05:58.19
And suddenly, a voice
from heaven is heard saying,
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"This is My beloved Son,
00:06:02.96\00:06:06.76
in whom I am well pleased.
00:06:06.80\00:06:10.83
In John Chapter 1,
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we see that John the
Baptist is so deeply moved,
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that with an outstretched
hand, he points to Jesus,
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behold, the one we are
looking for is in our midst,
00:06:18.87\00:06:23.48
the Lamb of God,
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who takes away
the sins of the world.
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Friend, it is impossible for you
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and me to fully understand
or appreciate the intense,
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electrifying effect of
that very announcement.
00:06:37.93\00:06:43.33
For thousands of years,
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mankind have been
waiting for their Redeemer.
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Israel had been living under
the severe oppression of Rome,
00:06:50.57\00:06:54.78
and longing for their Messiah.
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And now, suddenly,
the desire of the ages,
00:06:57.38\00:07:02.25
the hope of all nations
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is standing in their midst.
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Baptism is a crucial
part of the Christian life.
00:07:10.49\00:07:15.60
Not only was Jesus
baptized as an example to us,
00:07:15.63\00:07:20.24
but He also strongly admonished
His people to be baptized.
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Baptism is a symbol of
our willingness to accept
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the gospel of Jesus.
00:07:29.01\00:07:31.01
It is a conscious
decision and proclamation.
00:07:31.05\00:07:35.25
We will see that
baptism is a symbolic act,
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that it is
thoroughly covered in the Bible.
00:07:39.19\00:07:42.76
Many people have misconceptions
about its significance,
00:07:42.79\00:07:46.29
and are confused about whether
it is necessary for salvation.
00:07:46.33\00:07:51.13
So why do we need baptism?
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And what does it mean?
00:07:53.34\00:07:55.37
Let us go to some important
verses in the Bible to outline
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the necessity of baptism,
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and what we need to
do to prepare for it.
00:08:01.54\00:08:04.85
We can
demonstrate our faithfulness
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and loyalty by following
Christ's example in baptism.
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God is calling each one
of us to take a public stand.
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The truth of God's Word
give us something to stand on.
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Our theme for this
series is, if it's in the Bible,
00:08:21.96\00:08:25.83
I believe it.
00:08:25.87\00:08:27.54
If it disagrees with a
Bible, it's not for me.
00:08:27.57\00:08:32.57
All of us at times have wished
that we could just start over
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with a new life, a clean record.
00:08:36.48\00:08:40.42
Now the Book of Revelation
00:08:40.45\00:08:41.78
repeatedly refers
to this opportunity.
00:08:41.82\00:08:45.62
Revelation 1:5,
"To Him who loved us
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and washed us from our
sins in His own blood."
00:08:49.32\00:08:53.43
That tells us
that Jesus washes evil
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from our lives so
we can start over.
00:08:56.63\00:09:00.84
Revelation 3:8,
"I know your works.
00:09:00.87\00:09:04.01
See, I have set
before you an open door."
00:09:04.04\00:09:07.64
Jesus sets before us an
open door to a new life.
00:09:07.68\00:09:12.78
The Book of Revelation reveals
a God of incredible love,
00:09:12.81\00:09:16.42
who never forces our
allegiance or coerces our will.
00:09:16.45\00:09:21.56
Throughout the
Book of Revelation,
00:09:21.59\00:09:23.63
He invites us to
come to Him freely.
00:09:23.66\00:09:28.60
He says, Revelation
22:17, "Whoever desires,
00:09:28.63\00:09:33.87
let him take the
water of life freely."
00:09:33.90\00:09:38.01
In Revelation, Jesus is pictured
00:09:38.04\00:09:40.71
as the Lamb who dies to
gain our ultimate freedom.
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God is calling out
people to be faithful to Him.
00:09:45.68\00:09:49.18
He is calling them to
lovingly keep His commandments.
00:09:49.22\00:09:54.16
Jesus invites them
to publicly acknowledge
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and proclaim
their loyalty to declare
00:09:56.93\00:10:00.13
their allegiance to Him.
00:10:00.16\00:10:03.47
Now how do we take a stand?
00:10:03.50\00:10:05.73
Revelation points us
in the right direction.
00:10:05.77\00:10:09.54
Jesus instructed His
disciples in Matthew 28:19-20.
00:10:09.57\00:10:14.78
"Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations,
00:10:14.81\00:10:18.45
baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son,
00:10:18.48\00:10:22.15
and the Holy Spirit,
00:10:22.18\00:10:24.09
teaching them to
observe all things that I have
00:10:24.12\00:10:27.09
commanded you.
00:10:27.12\00:10:28.46
And lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.
00:10:28.49\00:10:34.06
Amen."
00:10:34.10\00:10:36.26
When we are baptized,
00:10:36.30\00:10:37.63
we declare our allegiance
by taking a public stand,
00:10:37.67\00:10:41.80
showing whose side we are on.
00:10:41.84\00:10:45.67
Yet many Christians are confused
00:10:45.71\00:10:47.64
over this basic Bible ordinance.
00:10:47.68\00:10:50.75
How many kinds of
baptisms are there?
00:10:50.78\00:10:54.02
Some churches sprinkle babies,
00:10:54.05\00:10:56.32
others pour water over the
head of a baby or young child.
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One denomination
practices olive oil baptism,
00:11:00.52\00:11:04.53
I even read of a church
that sprinkled rose petals over
00:11:04.56\00:11:07.53
the heads of its youth,
00:11:07.56\00:11:08.90
declaring they
were now baptized.
00:11:08.93\00:11:12.30
One pastor took his
youth out into the mountains,
00:11:12.33\00:11:15.17
and so called baptize them
by letting them lay in the snow
00:11:15.20\00:11:19.57
and covering them with it.
00:11:19.61\00:11:22.28
When he was
questioned about this method,
00:11:22.31\00:11:24.61
he said, it doesn't
make any difference whether
00:11:24.65\00:11:27.25
the water is liquid or solid.
00:11:27.28\00:11:30.35
Was this pastor right?
00:11:30.39\00:11:33.39
The Bible declares that there
00:11:33.42\00:11:35.26
is only one true
method of baptism.
00:11:35.29\00:11:38.83
It clearly says
in Ephesians 4:5,
00:11:38.86\00:11:42.93
"One Lord, one faith,
00:11:42.96\00:11:46.33
one baptism."
00:11:46.37\00:11:49.80
If we take God at His Word,
00:11:49.84\00:11:52.07
then there is only
one biblical method.
00:11:52.11\00:11:56.01
Wouldn't you agree with
me that the best way to know
00:11:56.04\00:11:58.28
the true method of baptism
is to read it in the Bible?
00:11:58.31\00:12:03.12
If we are baptized
the same way Jesus was,
00:12:03.15\00:12:06.65
we certainly cannot go wrong.
00:12:06.69\00:12:09.76
Mark 1:9,
00:12:09.79\00:12:11.89
"It came to pass in
those days that Jesus
00:12:11.93\00:12:15.10
came from Nazareth of Galilee,
00:12:15.13\00:12:17.07
and was baptized by
John in the Jordan."
00:12:17.10\00:12:21.37
Matthew 3:16-17,
"When He had been baptized,
00:12:21.40\00:12:25.47
Jesus came up immediately
from the water, and behold,
00:12:25.51\00:12:29.81
the heavens were open to Him,
00:12:29.84\00:12:31.61
and He saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove,
00:12:31.65\00:12:34.78
and alighting upon Him.
00:12:34.82\00:12:36.75
And suddenly a voice
came from heaven, saying,
00:12:36.79\00:12:39.69
'This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.'"
00:12:39.72\00:12:45.29
Jesus was immersed.
00:12:45.33\00:12:48.23
When Christ was baptized,
He went down into the water,
00:12:48.26\00:12:52.23
and came up out of the water.
00:12:52.27\00:12:54.97
Jesus' baptism by full immersion
00:12:55.00\00:12:58.57
was a significant
event in His life.
00:12:58.61\00:13:02.21
Your baptism will be a
significant event in your life.
00:13:02.24\00:13:07.22
There were two special
things that happened to Jesus
00:13:07.25\00:13:09.68
at His baptism.
00:13:09.72\00:13:11.59
First, the Holy
Spirit descended upon Jesus,
00:13:11.62\00:13:15.09
to give Him supernatural
spiritual power to face
00:13:15.12\00:13:20.13
the temptation of the evil one.
00:13:20.16\00:13:23.00
The Bible promises
that when we are baptized,
00:13:23.03\00:13:25.50
we too will receive
that same spiritual power,
00:13:25.53\00:13:30.21
that same spiritual help.
00:13:30.24\00:13:32.94
Don't you desire this spiritual
power in your life, friend?
00:13:32.97\00:13:37.05
It came upon Jesus, and
it also will be given to us.
00:13:37.08\00:13:41.62
He received divine
power at His baptism.
00:13:41.65\00:13:45.25
And as we, by faith,
open our hearts to the Lord,
00:13:45.29\00:13:49.82
we will receive the Holy
Spirit at our baptism too.
00:13:49.86\00:13:54.46
The scripture
says in Acts 10:38,
00:13:54.50\00:13:57.37
"God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
00:13:57.40\00:14:02.44
and with power."
00:14:02.47\00:14:04.51
I love that.
00:14:04.54\00:14:06.57
The second thing
that happened at Jesus'
00:14:06.61\00:14:08.54
baptism was what the Father
spoke to Him in Matthew 3:17,
00:14:08.58\00:14:13.88
saying, "This is My beloved Son,
00:14:13.92\00:14:17.05
in whom I am well pleased."
00:14:17.09\00:14:21.02
Every time a child of God
responds to the call of Christ,
00:14:21.06\00:14:25.79
and is baptized, taking a
public stand for our Lord,
00:14:25.83\00:14:29.60
all of heaven rejoices.
00:14:29.63\00:14:32.87
When you are baptized,
once again, the Father will say,
00:14:32.90\00:14:37.21
"This is My beloved son.
00:14:37.24\00:14:39.87
This is My beloved daughter,
00:14:39.91\00:14:42.28
in whom I am well pleased."
00:14:42.31\00:14:45.88
Believers down through
the centuries have experienced
00:14:45.91\00:14:48.55
the joy of making
00:14:48.58\00:14:50.09
a full commitment to
Christ through baptism.
00:14:50.12\00:14:54.12
Sometimes they have been
00:14:54.16\00:14:55.92
the only member of their family,
00:14:55.96\00:14:58.09
or village, or
tribe to come forward.
00:14:58.13\00:15:01.36
You see God calls
each of us individually.
00:15:01.40\00:15:05.67
He certainly did that
with an Ethiopian eunuch
00:15:05.70\00:15:08.50
returning from Jerusalem.
00:15:08.54\00:15:11.54
As the Ethiopian was
riding in his chariot,
00:15:11.57\00:15:14.31
he was also reading Scripture.
00:15:14.34\00:15:17.65
God miraculously
led Philip to him.
00:15:17.68\00:15:21.02
Philip clearly explained
00:15:21.05\00:15:22.52
the Word of God to
this prominent Ethiopian.
00:15:22.55\00:15:25.85
He answered his Bible questions,
00:15:25.89\00:15:27.89
and made a strong
appeal for this man to fully,
00:15:27.92\00:15:31.69
completely
dedicate his life to Christ.
00:15:31.73\00:15:35.66
The Ethiopian
immediately responded,
00:15:35.70\00:15:39.10
thrilled with his new
relationship with Jesus,
00:15:39.13\00:15:42.17
he desired to be baptized.
00:15:42.20\00:15:45.47
His request is
found in Acts 8:36-39.
00:15:45.51\00:15:50.65
"Now, as they
went down the road,
00:15:50.68\00:15:52.51
they came to some
water and the eunuch said,
00:15:52.55\00:15:55.68
'See, here is water.
00:15:55.72\00:15:57.72
What hinders me
from being baptized?'
00:15:57.75\00:16:00.26
Then Philip said,
00:16:00.29\00:16:02.02
'If you believe with
all your heart, you may.'
00:16:02.06\00:16:06.66
And he answered and said,
00:16:06.70\00:16:08.50
'I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God.
00:16:08.53\00:16:13.30
So he commanded the
chariot to stand still.
00:16:13.34\00:16:16.40
And both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water,
00:16:16.44\00:16:21.58
and he baptized him.
00:16:21.61\00:16:23.55
Now when they came
up out of the water...'"
00:16:23.58\00:16:27.78
See, these verses
right here teach us
00:16:27.82\00:16:30.59
some vital truths about baptism.
00:16:30.62\00:16:34.12
The Ethiopian was baptized
00:16:34.16\00:16:36.36
when he openly accepted Christ.
00:16:36.39\00:16:39.16
His baptism was a public
decision that he was taking
00:16:39.19\00:16:43.16
a stand.
00:16:43.20\00:16:44.53
And both Philip
and the Ethiopian
00:16:44.57\00:16:47.57
went down into the
water, and Philip lowered
00:16:47.60\00:16:50.84
the Ethiopian and fully
immersed him into the cool
00:16:50.87\00:16:54.08
deep water as a
symbol of Christ's
00:16:54.11\00:16:57.15
ability to cleanse the
entire person from sin.
00:16:57.18\00:17:01.55
The whole person
must be immersed,
00:17:01.58\00:17:04.99
because the whole
person has sinned.
00:17:05.02\00:17:08.76
Every part of us
must go under the water,
00:17:08.79\00:17:12.13
because every
part of us has sinned.
00:17:12.16\00:17:15.63
Friends, we need a
lot more than sprinkling.
00:17:15.66\00:17:19.23
We want to be cleansed totally.
00:17:19.27\00:17:21.80
And God requires Bible
baptism, full immersion.
00:17:21.84\00:17:27.31
In fact, you may not
be aware of the meaning
00:17:27.34\00:17:29.34
of the word baptism,
00:17:29.38\00:17:31.95
the Greek word baptizo
or baptize means to dip,
00:17:31.98\00:17:37.65
to immerse, to
plunge underwater.
00:17:37.69\00:17:42.79
For example, if a Greek woman
desired to completely change
00:17:42.82\00:17:47.40
the color of a piece of cloth,
00:17:47.43\00:17:49.40
she wouldn't just
sprinkle little dots
00:17:49.43\00:17:51.50
of dye on to the cloth,
00:17:51.53\00:17:53.47
she would plunge
it under the water.
00:17:53.50\00:17:57.47
Baptism by immersion
was certainly the practice
00:17:57.51\00:18:00.81
of the ancient churches.
00:18:00.84\00:18:03.18
Archeology
reveals baptismal sites
00:18:03.21\00:18:05.61
found in these
churches in the early centuries.
00:18:05.65\00:18:09.02
Ancient churches expose the
method of baptism used then.
00:18:09.05\00:18:14.62
Here's an ancient Christian
Church site with a baptistery
00:18:14.66\00:18:18.36
near Ephesus, near the western
shores of modern day Turkey.
00:18:18.39\00:18:23.50
The size of the
pool like structure,
00:18:23.53\00:18:25.47
according to
archaeologists and historians,
00:18:25.50\00:18:28.24
demonstrates the
fact that in those days,
00:18:28.27\00:18:31.47
only adults were
baptized by immersion.
00:18:31.51\00:18:35.28
This is an early
Christian Church in Philippi.
00:18:35.31\00:18:38.25
In the remains of the church,
we see an early baptistery,
00:18:38.28\00:18:41.98
where New Testament Christians
00:18:42.02\00:18:43.95
baptized believers by immersion.
00:18:43.99\00:18:47.96
St. John of Lateran is the
second largest church in Rome.
00:18:47.99\00:18:51.49
It is the most
famous church in Rome,
00:18:51.53\00:18:53.83
next to St. Peter's Cathedral.
00:18:53.86\00:18:56.46
If you walk through the
narrow alleyway to the back
00:18:56.50\00:18:59.03
of the church, you discover
something quite remarkable.
00:18:59.07\00:19:03.97
A beautiful baptistery
00:19:04.01\00:19:06.61
clearly showing
that Roman Catholicism
00:19:06.64\00:19:10.28
practiced baptism by immersion.
00:19:10.31\00:19:13.62
They continued this practice
as late as the 13th century.
00:19:13.65\00:19:17.62
The baptisteries in
these ancient churches
00:19:17.65\00:19:19.65
reveal that the
church practiced Bible
00:19:19.69\00:19:22.29
baptism by immersion
for hundreds of years.
00:19:22.32\00:19:26.56
And here you can see
the Leaning Tower of Pisa,
00:19:26.59\00:19:30.37
you may be
familiar with a Bell Tower,
00:19:30.40\00:19:32.57
which is world
famous because of the angle
00:19:32.60\00:19:35.17
at which it is leaning.
00:19:35.20\00:19:37.17
But you may not be as familiar
with the baptistery behind
00:19:37.21\00:19:40.68
the tower, where
Roman Catholics practiced
00:19:40.71\00:19:43.24
baptism by
immersion for centuries.
00:19:43.28\00:19:47.68
One of the most remarkable
baptisteries in the world
00:19:47.72\00:19:50.69
is found in
Cappadocia, a City of Refuge,
00:19:50.72\00:19:54.46
deep within the
caves of Southeast Turkey.
00:19:54.49\00:19:57.89
Here Christians found
00:19:57.93\00:19:59.26
refuge from their
oppressors in the Middle Ages,
00:19:59.29\00:20:02.33
the Dark Ages.
00:20:02.36\00:20:04.57
Let's enter through the
carved rock into the Secret City
00:20:04.60\00:20:07.40
of Refuge, their
place of worship.
00:20:07.44\00:20:10.94
We see carved in
Iraq a baptistery,
00:20:10.97\00:20:13.54
where these faithful Christians
00:20:13.58\00:20:15.14
were baptized by full immersion.
00:20:15.18\00:20:19.18
Immersion was a practice
of the New Testament Church.
00:20:19.21\00:20:23.59
Jesus was baptized by immersion.
00:20:23.62\00:20:26.59
The disciples, the early church,
00:20:26.62\00:20:29.06
and believers
through the centuries
00:20:29.09\00:20:31.39
have followed
this biblical practice.
00:20:31.43\00:20:34.76
It was not until
the church or excuse me,
00:20:34.80\00:20:36.83
the Council of Ravenna
in AD 1311, that sprinkling
00:20:36.87\00:20:41.10
and pouring were
officially accepted.
00:20:41.14\00:20:44.01
Sprinkling
became as equally valid
00:20:44.04\00:20:46.04
as immersion in
the rite of baptism.
00:20:46.07\00:20:49.24
The church
introduced sprinkling as a more
00:20:49.28\00:20:52.05
convenient method.
00:20:52.08\00:20:53.88
Many people delayed baptism
until they were near death,
00:20:53.92\00:20:57.25
when it became difficult
for them to be immersed.
00:20:57.29\00:20:59.99
So gradually, over many
years, sprinkling was accepted
00:21:00.02\00:21:03.02
as equally valid as immersion.
00:21:03.06\00:21:07.86
Friends, during this series,
00:21:07.90\00:21:09.66
we have seen many
practices that have gradually
00:21:09.70\00:21:13.40
slipped into the
Christian Church,
00:21:13.44\00:21:15.60
which have no
foundation in Scripture.
00:21:15.64\00:21:18.97
For example, Sunday worship,
00:21:19.01\00:21:22.21
the concept of
the immortal soul,
00:21:22.24\00:21:25.41
and now sprinkling.
00:21:25.45\00:21:27.85
God is calling us
back to the Bible,
00:21:27.88\00:21:31.59
back to the true
biblical method of baptism.
00:21:31.62\00:21:35.69
What is the
meaning of Bible baptism?
00:21:35.72\00:21:38.59
Romans 6:3-4,
00:21:38.63\00:21:41.33
"Or do you not
know that as many of us,
00:21:41.36\00:21:43.80
as were baptized
into Christ Jesus,
00:21:43.83\00:21:46.13
were baptized into His death?
00:21:46.17\00:21:49.27
Therefore we
are buried with Him,
00:21:49.30\00:21:52.11
through baptism into
death, that Justice Christ
00:21:52.14\00:21:55.98
was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
00:21:56.01\00:21:59.25
even so we also should
walk in newness of life."
00:21:59.28\00:22:04.19
When you go into
the water, it is saying,
00:22:04.22\00:22:06.42
"Lord, I accept Your
death on the cross for me."
00:22:06.45\00:22:10.39
It is saying, "I want my
old way of life to be buried,
00:22:10.43\00:22:15.53
and I want to live
a new life in Christ."
00:22:15.56\00:22:19.27
Friends, baptism represents
dying to your old sinful
00:22:19.30\00:22:25.17
way of life.
00:22:25.21\00:22:27.28
Is there something
you did a year ago,
00:22:27.31\00:22:30.11
five years ago,
00:22:30.15\00:22:32.31
10 years ago, that
still haunts you today?
00:22:32.35\00:22:36.58
Something that
troubles your soul
00:22:36.62\00:22:38.69
and keeps you up at night?
00:22:38.72\00:22:41.92
When you walk into
the waters of baptism,
00:22:41.96\00:22:45.03
you are dying to all
those sins of the past.
00:22:45.06\00:22:49.56
Your guilt and
condemnation can be gone.
00:22:49.60\00:22:54.70
Your past is wiped clean.
00:22:54.74\00:22:57.94
The act of baptism
itself has no magic.
00:22:57.97\00:23:01.98
There are no spiritual
properties in the water.
00:23:02.01\00:23:05.45
It is symbolic and important.
00:23:05.48\00:23:08.15
Nonetheless, in order
to fully live in Christ,
00:23:08.18\00:23:12.22
we must first fully
die to our old lives.
00:23:12.25\00:23:17.56
In my travels, no
matter where in the world,
00:23:17.59\00:23:21.00
no matter which culture,
00:23:21.03\00:23:22.90
I see the same happy
expressions on the faces
00:23:22.93\00:23:27.27
of those that have
just been baptized.
00:23:27.30\00:23:30.07
I have witnessed
those precious moments
00:23:30.11\00:23:33.01
when a newborn Christian
comes up out of the water,
00:23:33.04\00:23:37.05
their eyes are filled with joy,
00:23:37.08\00:23:39.48
acceptance, and inner peace.
00:23:39.51\00:23:43.39
You can sense that they
know their slate has been wiped
00:23:43.42\00:23:47.09
clean and their whole
being radiates excitement.
00:23:47.12\00:23:52.29
No matter what their lives
00:23:52.33\00:23:53.66
were like before
that moment they now
00:23:53.70\00:23:56.67
know they can start over.
00:23:56.70\00:23:59.13
And with the help
of the Holy Spirit,
00:23:59.17\00:24:01.47
live changed lives.
00:24:01.50\00:24:05.37
Baptism is like burying
your sins in a watery grave.
00:24:05.41\00:24:09.81
But you may
think, wait a minute,
00:24:09.84\00:24:12.61
doesn't God forgive me
every time I confess my sin?
00:24:12.65\00:24:17.72
Absolutely He does.
00:24:17.75\00:24:19.79
As it says in 1 John
1:9, "If we confess our sins,
00:24:19.82\00:24:24.79
He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins,
00:24:24.83\00:24:29.06
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
00:24:29.10\00:24:32.63
As you step into the
water, you are demonstrating,
00:24:32.67\00:24:37.27
God, I give myself to You.
00:24:37.31\00:24:40.71
All the sins that I remember,
00:24:40.74\00:24:43.31
and all the sins that I don't.
00:24:43.35\00:24:46.55
Because we can't
remember every sin
00:24:46.58\00:24:48.42
we have committed, friends.
00:24:48.45\00:24:50.75
Lord, I'm so grateful
that when I come up out
00:24:50.79\00:24:54.19
of the water, I am a
new person with a new slate
00:24:54.22\00:24:59.03
as I begin a new life.
00:24:59.06\00:25:02.73
You know, friends,
I've had a lot of incredible
00:25:02.76\00:25:05.97
adventures and
experiences throughout my life.
00:25:06.00\00:25:10.07
Some the world would even
deem ultimate accomplishments,
00:25:10.11\00:25:13.78
but I want to
tell you something,
00:25:13.81\00:25:17.35
nothing compares
to witnessing souls,
00:25:17.38\00:25:21.85
giving themselves
to Jesus in baptism,
00:25:21.88\00:25:26.19
accepting eternal life.
00:25:26.22\00:25:30.03
My team and I go to
great lengths to be at baptisms
00:25:30.06\00:25:33.43
anywhere that we
can in the world.
00:25:33.46\00:25:36.56
I remember when we
heard about a village
00:25:36.60\00:25:38.40
high up in the
mountains of the Philippines.
00:25:38.43\00:25:41.40
They had been listening to
our radio programs about Jesus
00:25:41.44\00:25:44.47
and Bible truth, and
were wanting baptism.
00:25:44.51\00:25:48.71
There were only two ways
00:25:48.74\00:25:50.25
you could reach
them in their village,
00:25:50.28\00:25:52.68
either by horseback,
which took a little longer,
00:25:52.71\00:25:55.92
or motorcycle.
00:25:55.95\00:25:57.75
I voted for motorcycles.
00:25:57.79\00:26:00.16
We crossed 24 streams
00:26:00.19\00:26:02.32
and zoomed up hillsides to
make our winding way to the top.
00:26:02.36\00:26:06.59
And we were welcomed
by dozens of smiling,
00:26:06.63\00:26:09.50
beautiful children.
00:26:09.53\00:26:11.67
And as we attract
to the nearby stream,
00:26:11.70\00:26:14.97
we were able to witness
00:26:15.00\00:26:16.81
18 commit their
lives to Jesus that day.
00:26:16.84\00:26:21.58
When those precious people
rise up out of baptismal water,
00:26:21.61\00:26:27.15
they walk in newness of life.
00:26:27.18\00:26:30.39
This is a symbol
of the resurrection,
00:26:30.42\00:26:33.76
coming up out of
that watery grave.
00:26:33.79\00:26:38.23
Now, do you have to wait
00:26:38.26\00:26:40.86
until you are perfect
before you get baptized?
00:26:40.90\00:26:44.73
No.
00:26:44.77\00:26:46.10
Baptism does not
mean you're flawless.
00:26:46.13\00:26:48.84
It means you are committed.
00:26:48.87\00:26:51.97
So if you are
hesitating to be baptized,
00:26:52.01\00:26:55.04
because you think you need
to wait until you're perfect,
00:26:55.08\00:26:58.71
friend, then you will
never go through with it.
00:26:58.75\00:27:03.22
Baptism shows
your commitment to God,
00:27:03.25\00:27:07.09
your decision
to follow His ways.
00:27:07.12\00:27:10.46
Baptism is not the
end of the Christian life,
00:27:10.49\00:27:13.23
it is just the beginning.
00:27:13.26\00:27:15.60
With a new sense of
direction and freedom we say,
00:27:15.63\00:27:19.20
"God, I am yours,
guide me and use me."
00:27:19.23\00:27:24.47
Baptism gives us
00:27:24.51\00:27:25.84
a new spiritual power
in our lives, friends.
00:27:25.87\00:27:29.64
So let's look at what
happens when we are baptized.
00:27:29.68\00:27:33.88
We see that
every sin is forgiven.
00:27:33.92\00:27:37.69
Acts 2:38,
00:27:37.72\00:27:39.79
"Then Peter said to them,
00:27:39.82\00:27:41.29
'Repent and let every one
of you be baptized in the name
00:27:41.32\00:27:45.56
of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins."
00:27:45.59\00:27:49.26
The Apostle Peter
makes it clear that everyone
00:27:49.30\00:27:52.97
should be baptized.
00:27:53.00\00:27:56.57
Wait a minute, then what
about the thief on the cross?
00:27:56.60\00:28:00.08
He was never baptized.
00:28:00.11\00:28:02.94
After such a heartfelt exchange,
00:28:02.98\00:28:05.25
the Savior promised the thief
that he would be remembered
00:28:05.28\00:28:09.08
and saved to God's kingdom.
00:28:09.12\00:28:11.49
There was no opportunity
for the thief to be baptized
00:28:11.52\00:28:14.26
at that point.
00:28:14.29\00:28:15.62
When he gave his life to Christ
while hanging on the cross
00:28:15.66\00:28:18.89
Jesus knew he would
be baptized if he could.
00:28:18.93\00:28:22.66
We know that Jesus never sinned.
00:28:22.70\00:28:25.47
Christ Himself
did not need baptism,
00:28:25.50\00:28:28.84
but He did it as
an example for us.
00:28:28.87\00:28:32.64
Christ baptism serves for all
who like the thief on the cross
00:28:32.67\00:28:36.71
were unable to be baptized,
00:28:36.75\00:28:39.38
like those on
death row in prisons,
00:28:39.41\00:28:42.42
or in a hospital bed.
00:28:42.45\00:28:44.62
I love that the Bible
says baptism is for everyone,
00:28:44.65\00:28:49.62
every precious soul on
earth, not just a select few.
00:28:49.66\00:28:54.30
And at baptism,
every sin is forgiven.
00:28:54.33\00:28:57.40
There is no sin too great.
00:28:57.43\00:29:00.87
Another promise at
the time of baptism
00:29:00.90\00:29:03.00
is that the Holy
Spirit is given to us.
00:29:03.04\00:29:06.64
Mark 1:10,
00:29:06.68\00:29:08.68
"And immediately,
coming up from the water,
00:29:08.71\00:29:10.88
He saw the heavens parting
00:29:10.91\00:29:12.85
and the Spirit descending
upon Him like a dove."
00:29:12.88\00:29:16.28
Let's go back to Acts 2:38,
00:29:16.32\00:29:19.05
and look at the rest
of the text which says,
00:29:19.09\00:29:21.96
"And you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit."
00:29:21.99\00:29:26.56
God has a gift for
you at your baptism.
00:29:26.59\00:29:29.96
You are cleansed and promised
the gift of the Holy Spirit
00:29:30.00\00:29:33.37
being added to your life.
00:29:33.40\00:29:35.54
He is your personal
helper through life's trials.
00:29:35.57\00:29:38.87
Scripture describes the
Holy Spirit in personal terms,
00:29:38.91\00:29:42.44
when it says that
He teaches, guides,
00:29:42.48\00:29:46.15
comforts and intercedes.
00:29:46.18\00:29:49.58
The gift of the Holy
Spirit is simply God empowering
00:29:49.62\00:29:53.86
faithful Christians
to do what He has called
00:29:53.89\00:29:56.76
us to do.
00:29:56.79\00:29:58.26
By your baptism you are
adopted into God's family.
00:29:58.29\00:30:02.76
We become part of a
body of believers worldwide.
00:30:02.80\00:30:07.60
Acts 2:41 says,
00:30:07.64\00:30:10.11
"Then those who gladly
receive the word were baptized,
00:30:10.14\00:30:13.78
and that day about 3000
souls were added unto them."
00:30:13.81\00:30:18.75
Many people wonder how baptism
relates to church membership.
00:30:18.78\00:30:23.69
Did people who were
baptized also join the church?
00:30:23.72\00:30:27.72
Let's go on to verse 42.
00:30:27.76\00:30:30.53
"And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
00:30:30.56\00:30:33.50
and fellowship, in the breaking
of bread and in prayers."
00:30:33.53\00:30:37.73
Now drop down to verse 47.
00:30:37.77\00:30:40.24
And we see that
"They are praising God
00:30:40.27\00:30:42.84
and having favor
with all the people.
00:30:42.87\00:30:45.31
And the Lord added to the church
00:30:45.34\00:30:47.58
daily those who
were being saved."
00:30:47.61\00:30:51.05
Amen.
00:30:51.08\00:30:52.68
Your baptism symbolizes that you
00:30:52.71\00:30:55.05
have chosen to become a
part of God's body of believers.
00:30:55.08\00:30:58.92
His Sabbath
keeping, commandment keeping
00:30:58.95\00:31:02.76
Adventist Christian
people, just like we read,
00:31:02.79\00:31:06.23
they continued
steadfastly in the apostles'
00:31:06.26\00:31:09.06
doctrine and fellowship.
00:31:09.10\00:31:10.93
God asks that you find a church
that follows in harmony with
00:31:10.97\00:31:15.74
the teachings of His Word.
00:31:15.77\00:31:19.14
When you are baptized,
your sins are forgiven.
00:31:19.17\00:31:22.74
Not only is your life cleansed,
but you receive the Holy Spirit
00:31:22.78\00:31:27.25
and become part of a worldwide
Sabbath keeping fellowship,
00:31:27.28\00:31:31.92
an international
community of faith.
00:31:31.95\00:31:35.52
God is leading
people of all nationalities,
00:31:35.56\00:31:38.73
of all languages,
00:31:38.76\00:31:40.33
and of all religious
persuasions to His last day,
00:31:40.36\00:31:44.40
final movement.
00:31:44.43\00:31:46.80
Let's review what
steps a person needs to take
00:31:46.84\00:31:49.64
before being baptized.
00:31:49.67\00:31:52.37
First, we must repent and have
a genuine sorrow for our sin.
00:31:52.41\00:31:56.85
Have you come to Jesus and said,
00:31:56.88\00:31:58.71
"Lord, I believe that
only You can forgive my sins,
00:31:58.75\00:32:03.05
as You alone are my Savior."
00:32:03.08\00:32:06.29
If you have,
00:32:06.32\00:32:07.66
you have taken the first
step on this journey of faith.
00:32:07.69\00:32:11.29
Repentance is being
sorry enough for your sins,
00:32:11.33\00:32:14.30
that you are willing to turn
away from your old lifestyle.
00:32:14.33\00:32:18.90
Repentance means your attitude
towards your sins has changed,
00:32:18.93\00:32:23.51
you no longer want to do them,
00:32:23.54\00:32:25.47
they are no
longer attractive to you.
00:32:25.51\00:32:28.64
Secondly, we must
believe and accept that Jesus
00:32:28.68\00:32:32.41
is both Savior
and Lord of our lives.
00:32:32.45\00:32:36.79
And lastly, we
must continue to learn
00:32:36.82\00:32:40.06
and receive
instruction in the essentials
00:32:40.09\00:32:42.99
of Biblical faith.
00:32:43.02\00:32:44.93
Once you understand
the basics of Bible faith,
00:32:44.96\00:32:48.03
the essential truth of His Word,
00:32:48.06\00:32:50.60
God invites you to make
the decision to be baptized.
00:32:50.63\00:32:56.50
Many wonder
about infant baptism.
00:32:56.54\00:32:59.17
James 4:17 tells us,
00:32:59.21\00:33:01.74
"Therefore to him
who knows to do good
00:33:01.78\00:33:05.58
and does not do
it, to him it is sin."
00:33:05.61\00:33:10.05
Obviously, infants do
not know about sin yet,
00:33:10.09\00:33:13.32
they cannot make a
conscious decision.
00:33:13.36\00:33:16.29
Infants are unable
to repent of their sins.
00:33:16.32\00:33:20.33
Infant baptism is never
promoted in the scriptures.
00:33:20.36\00:33:25.37
The doctrine of infant
baptism is of pagan origin,
00:33:25.40\00:33:29.44
and was brought into the
church by Roman Catholicism.
00:33:29.47\00:33:33.27
As with most Catholic doctrines,
00:33:33.31\00:33:35.28
infant baptism has its origins
in the Babylonian mysteries.
00:33:35.31\00:33:40.78
In Babylon, new birth was
honored by baptism of infants.
00:33:40.82\00:33:45.62
European pagans sprinkled
their newborns or immersed them.
00:33:45.65\00:33:49.69
To this day, the holy water
00:33:49.72\00:33:52.36
used for
baptism in some circles,
00:33:52.39\00:33:54.80
is still prepared
according to the pagan custom
00:33:54.83\00:33:58.23
of plunging a torch from
the altar into the water.
00:33:58.27\00:34:03.30
Having
introduced infant baptism,
00:34:03.34\00:34:05.24
the Roman Catholic
Church was fiercely
00:34:05.27\00:34:07.31
opposed to
adults being baptized,
00:34:07.34\00:34:10.38
and even issued the following
decree in the book History
00:34:10.41\00:34:14.38
of Romanism, page 510.
00:34:14.42\00:34:17.35
"Let him be accursed who
says adults must be baptized."
00:34:17.39\00:34:22.66
During this
series of presentations,
00:34:25.66\00:34:28.23
you may have learned
new truths from God's Word,
00:34:28.26\00:34:31.60
then the time has come
to commit to follow Jesus
00:34:31.63\00:34:35.20
all the way into Bible baptism.
00:34:35.24\00:34:39.11
But what if you have
already been baptized?
00:34:39.14\00:34:41.94
Do you need to
be baptized again?
00:34:41.98\00:34:45.58
There is an
instance in the Bible
00:34:45.61\00:34:46.95
when people were rebaptized.
00:34:46.98\00:34:49.22
Here it is.
00:34:49.25\00:34:50.59
The Apostle Paul was preaching
in the upper coast of Ephesus,
00:34:50.62\00:34:54.26
and a group of
people came to him.
00:34:54.29\00:34:56.36
In Acts 19:2-5
00:34:56.39\00:34:58.99
describes it like this.
00:34:59.03\00:35:01.33
"Paul said to them,
00:35:01.36\00:35:02.76
'Did you receive the Holy
Spirit when you believed?'
00:35:02.80\00:35:05.93
So they said to him,
00:35:05.97\00:35:07.40
'We have not so much as heard
00:35:07.44\00:35:08.77
whether there is a Holy Spirit.'
00:35:08.80\00:35:11.01
And he said to them,
00:35:11.04\00:35:12.37
'Into what then
were you baptized?'
00:35:12.41\00:35:14.84
So they said,
'Into John's baptism.'
00:35:14.88\00:35:18.38
Then Paul said,
00:35:18.41\00:35:19.75
'John, indeed baptized
with a baptism of repentance,
00:35:19.78\00:35:23.28
saying to the people that
they should believe on Him
00:35:23.32\00:35:26.29
who would come after him,
00:35:26.32\00:35:28.72
that is, on Christ Jesus.'
00:35:28.76\00:35:31.86
When they heard this,
00:35:31.89\00:35:33.26
they were rebaptized in the name
00:35:33.29\00:35:35.86
of the Lord Jesus.'"
00:35:35.90\00:35:38.57
Paul instructed them more fully,
00:35:38.60\00:35:41.10
and though they had once been
baptized by immersion already,
00:35:41.14\00:35:45.57
Paul did
rebaptized them by immersion.
00:35:45.61\00:35:49.98
They wanted to walk in
all the light of God's Word.
00:35:50.01\00:35:53.85
These are two reasons
to consider rebaptism.
00:35:53.88\00:35:58.42
An individual may
desire to be rebaptized
00:35:58.45\00:36:01.46
if they once were baptized,
00:36:01.49\00:36:03.29
but left their life with Christ.
00:36:03.32\00:36:05.39
They wandered away from God,
00:36:05.43\00:36:07.40
but now they
long to return to Him.
00:36:07.43\00:36:10.97
You don't get
rebaptized every time you sin,
00:36:11.00\00:36:14.34
because if you
did, people would spend
00:36:14.37\00:36:16.37
a whole lot of time
in the baptismal pool.
00:36:16.40\00:36:20.44
But if you intentionally
turn your back to on Christ,
00:36:20.48\00:36:24.21
baptism by immersion is a symbol
00:36:24.25\00:36:26.31
of death to the old way of life,
00:36:26.35\00:36:28.92
and resurrection to the new way.
00:36:28.95\00:36:32.79
Is God moving on
your heart tonight?
00:36:32.82\00:36:35.46
Maybe you have
slipped away over the years.
00:36:35.49\00:36:38.96
Maybe you've
backslidden or drifted away.
00:36:38.99\00:36:42.50
It's okay.
00:36:42.53\00:36:44.27
Jesus is ready for
you to return to Him.
00:36:44.30\00:36:47.74
His arms are open wide.
00:36:47.77\00:36:51.71
When we look around our world,
00:36:51.74\00:36:54.88
we see the signs that
this world is amping up.
00:36:54.91\00:36:59.38
Jesus is preparing His
people for His soon return.
00:36:59.41\00:37:04.22
Now is the time to get
serious about the Lord.
00:37:04.25\00:37:07.99
Come back to your savor
00:37:08.02\00:37:09.92
and be rebaptized.
00:37:09.96\00:37:14.10
Someone may also
desire to be rebaptized
00:37:14.13\00:37:16.70
if they are
committed Christians who have
00:37:16.73\00:37:18.43
discovered new
truth in God's Word
00:37:18.47\00:37:21.34
and desire to be a part
00:37:21.37\00:37:22.77
of His
commandment keeping people.
00:37:22.80\00:37:25.17
There are Christians
who love Jesus so much
00:37:25.21\00:37:27.74
with all their hearts,
that when they study the Bible
00:37:27.78\00:37:30.71
and learn new truths,
like John's disciples did,
00:37:30.75\00:37:34.65
they add these new truths
to what they already believed.
00:37:34.68\00:37:38.72
You too may wish
to be rebaptized,
00:37:38.75\00:37:41.46
if this is your
desire, there is a biblical
00:37:41.49\00:37:44.16
precedence for being rebaptized.
00:37:44.19\00:37:47.33
If you are a Christian,
by going into the water,
00:37:47.36\00:37:51.33
you are not denying your
prior Christian experience.
00:37:51.37\00:37:55.20
When John's
disciples were rebaptized,
00:37:55.24\00:37:57.94
they did not deny
their previous walk with God.
00:37:57.97\00:38:03.01
How important is baptism?
00:38:03.04\00:38:05.78
Nicodemus came
seeking Jesus at night.
00:38:05.81\00:38:08.72
We must know that baptism
00:38:08.75\00:38:10.55
is so important that
we are told in John 3:5,
00:38:10.59\00:38:15.22
"Jesus
answered, 'Most assuredly,
00:38:15.26\00:38:17.83
I say to you, unless
one is born of water,
00:38:17.86\00:38:22.06
and the Spirit,
00:38:22.10\00:38:23.43
he cannot enter
the kingdom of God.'"
00:38:23.47\00:38:28.07
Jesus said water baptism
is essential for salvation.
00:38:28.10\00:38:32.97
Jesus' cross
00:38:33.01\00:38:34.34
which is of priceless
importance is mentioned
00:38:34.38\00:38:37.35
28 times in the New Testament,
00:38:37.38\00:38:40.22
whereas baptism
00:38:40.25\00:38:42.65
is mentioned
over a hundred times.
00:38:42.68\00:38:46.42
No one should treat
it as a non-essential.
00:38:46.45\00:38:50.06
At conversion,
the change in a person
00:38:50.09\00:38:52.26
is so radical and crucial.
00:38:52.29\00:38:55.06
Jesus knows human needs,
00:38:55.10\00:38:57.77
He knows that we need
points of beginning again,
00:38:57.80\00:39:01.84
event dates are important
00:39:01.87\00:39:03.94
so that we can
look back on them.
00:39:03.97\00:39:06.21
It is the same
with a wedding ceremony.
00:39:06.24\00:39:08.84
It sets the date of when our
new life with our spouse began.
00:39:08.88\00:39:13.82
We make a public
commitment of love and devotion.
00:39:13.85\00:39:18.55
The Bible says in Mark 16:16,
00:39:18.59\00:39:21.72
"He who believes and is
baptized will be saved."
00:39:21.76\00:39:26.43
The scriptures are
our safe and sure guide
00:39:26.46\00:39:31.43
and through them we
can follow in the footsteps
00:39:31.47\00:39:34.34
of Jesus our Savior.
00:39:34.37\00:39:36.50
It is not enough
to believe the gospel,
00:39:36.54\00:39:39.37
one must live it.
00:39:39.41\00:39:42.48
2 Corinthians 6:2,
00:39:42.51\00:39:44.98
"Behold, now is the
accepted time, behold,
00:39:45.01\00:39:48.22
now is the day of salvation."
00:39:48.25\00:39:50.99
Friends, there's no
need for you to wait.
00:39:51.02\00:39:53.96
Now is the day to seal
00:39:53.99\00:39:55.82
your commitment to
Jesus in your heart.
00:39:55.86\00:39:59.63
Acts 22:16,
00:39:59.66\00:40:01.90
"And now why are you waiting?
00:40:01.93\00:40:04.00
Arise and be baptized,
and wash away your sins,
00:40:04.03\00:40:08.14
calling on the
name of the Lord."
00:40:08.17\00:40:10.74
All of heaven is
waiting for you to take
00:40:10.77\00:40:13.58
this stand for Jesus, friend.
00:40:13.61\00:40:16.41
At baptism, a person
is unified with Christ.
00:40:16.44\00:40:21.48
Galatians 3:27 says,
00:40:21.52\00:40:23.85
"For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ
00:40:23.89\00:40:26.86
have put on Christ."
00:40:26.89\00:40:29.32
Baptism is as
essential to a Christian,
00:40:29.36\00:40:32.63
as the wedding is to a marriage.
00:40:32.66\00:40:35.70
Both ceremonies must be
based on deep seated love
00:40:35.73\00:40:39.60
and full understanding if
they are to be meaningful.
00:40:39.63\00:40:43.91
To refuse baptism is to
refuse to be united with Christ.
00:40:43.94\00:40:48.54
Baptism is a public declaration
of a relationship to Jesus.
00:40:48.58\00:40:53.11
2 Corinthians 5:17, says,
00:40:53.15\00:40:55.85
"Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ,
00:40:55.88\00:40:59.59
he is a new creation,
old things have passed away,
00:40:59.62\00:41:04.33
behold, all
things have become new."
00:41:04.36\00:41:09.06
Do you wish to be made new?
00:41:09.10\00:41:11.77
Is your heart drawing
you to Jesus right now?
00:41:11.80\00:41:15.84
Are you wanting to make
Him your number one priority?
00:41:15.87\00:41:21.01
Are you saying?
00:41:21.04\00:41:22.88
Yes, Lord, I want to
make a decision for you.
00:41:22.91\00:41:27.12
I want to follow you all
the way in Bible baptism.
00:41:27.15\00:41:32.45
Friend, what would
be holding you back?
00:41:32.49\00:41:36.02
Are you scared to
make this commitment?
00:41:36.06\00:41:38.73
Are you afraid of the
cost of your decision?
00:41:38.76\00:41:42.26
Are you thinking that
the price of this decision
00:41:42.30\00:41:45.90
is too high that it will cost
00:41:45.93\00:41:48.57
me too much?
00:41:48.60\00:41:52.17
I wanna share a story with
you that we filmed on the border
00:41:52.21\00:41:56.54
of the DMZ between
North and South Korea.
00:41:56.58\00:42:02.12
There is a river on the
border of North Korea and China.
00:42:02.15\00:42:07.16
People from North Korea
00:42:07.19\00:42:08.79
try to swim this
river to escape to China.
00:42:08.82\00:42:12.99
North Korea has a
three strike rule.
00:42:13.03\00:42:16.73
If someone escapes
once and is caught,
00:42:16.77\00:42:19.87
they are sent
back and imprisoned.
00:42:19.90\00:42:23.54
The second time they
are severely punished.
00:42:23.57\00:42:27.28
If they're caught a third time,
00:42:27.31\00:42:30.68
they're executed.
00:42:30.71\00:42:33.35
There was a
young lady named Kim,
00:42:33.38\00:42:36.12
who was longing for freedom.
00:42:36.15\00:42:38.62
She wanted to escape to Mongolia
00:42:38.65\00:42:41.12
so that she could make
her way to South Korea.
00:42:41.16\00:42:44.69
She planned to earn money to
send back to help her family.
00:42:44.73\00:42:49.46
When Kim escaped,
00:42:49.50\00:42:50.83
she was not a
Christian and did not know God.
00:42:50.87\00:42:53.70
The first time she was caught,
00:42:53.74\00:42:55.37
she was sent back
and put in prison.
00:42:55.40\00:42:58.21
They warned her,
don't try this again
00:42:58.24\00:43:00.71
or something worse
will happen to you.
00:43:00.74\00:43:03.81
Do you think that stopped Kim?
00:43:03.85\00:43:06.58
No.
00:43:06.61\00:43:07.98
She tried a second time going
under the cover of darkness.
00:43:08.02\00:43:12.79
But someone with
a light captured her
00:43:12.82\00:43:15.16
and she was
punished more severely.
00:43:15.19\00:43:18.19
They warned her harshly,
Kim, if you try this again,
00:43:18.23\00:43:22.00
you will be executed.
00:43:22.03\00:43:24.03
Do not try to escape again.
00:43:24.07\00:43:28.04
But Kim wanted
freedom more than anything.
00:43:28.07\00:43:31.71
So for a third time
at the risk of her life,
00:43:31.74\00:43:34.81
in the middle of the
night, she swam the river again.
00:43:34.84\00:43:39.98
This time, she made
it to the other side.
00:43:40.02\00:43:43.89
She found her way
to the Chinese border,
00:43:43.92\00:43:46.39
where a very kind Chinese
family hid her in their house.
00:43:46.42\00:43:50.96
While she was there for several
months with these dear people,
00:43:50.99\00:43:54.53
she found a radio.
00:43:54.56\00:43:56.30
As she was tuning the radio,
she heard the familiar words
00:43:56.33\00:43:59.83
of her Korean language.
00:43:59.87\00:44:02.80
Now before I finished
this presentation tonight,
00:44:02.84\00:44:05.27
I want to share with you
our Adventist World Radio
00:44:05.31\00:44:07.61
short film about Kim's
escape that will illustrate
00:44:07.64\00:44:11.41
what one woman chose to go
through for her love for Jesus.
00:44:11.45\00:44:15.88
One night at my church,
an unfamiliar woman entered
00:44:22.69\00:44:25.76
and sat near the back.
00:44:25.79\00:44:27.70
Her face bore hard
lines hiding her youth.
00:44:27.73\00:44:31.43
I wondered who she was.
00:44:31.47\00:44:34.27
This stranger
sat alone on a pew.
00:44:34.30\00:44:37.14
And after everyone had
left, the pastor joined her.
00:44:37.17\00:44:41.58
I escaped North
Korea, she admitted,
00:44:41.61\00:44:45.11
and I'm not safe
here in China either.
00:44:45.15\00:44:48.78
But I have one
request, she said,
00:44:48.82\00:44:53.36
"Will you baptize me?"
00:44:53.39\00:44:57.83
"Do you even know
what baptism means?"
00:44:57.86\00:45:00.03
I questioned.
00:45:00.06\00:45:02.20
Yes.
00:45:02.23\00:45:03.77
Was her resolute response.
00:45:03.80\00:45:06.33
I learned about
Jesus through the radio.
00:45:06.37\00:45:09.14
While in hiding
this dear woman found
00:45:14.91\00:45:17.78
a radio and tuning it stopped
00:45:17.81\00:45:20.38
when she heard
bits of the familiar
00:45:20.42\00:45:22.35
Korean language.
00:45:22.38\00:45:25.49
It was the voice of hope
through Adventist World Radio.
00:45:25.52\00:45:30.43
This discovery soon
turned her loneliness
00:45:30.46\00:45:32.93
and fear into courage
00:45:32.96\00:45:34.83
and hope as she
learned about the one
00:45:34.86\00:45:37.27
who left all and
died for her salvation.
00:45:37.30\00:45:40.87
A longing was born in
her heart to one day go back
00:45:40.90\00:45:44.84
and share what she was
learning with her family
00:45:44.87\00:45:47.11
and friends in North Korea.
00:45:47.14\00:45:50.95
We studied the Bible
together for one week,
00:45:50.98\00:45:53.31
and she soaked up every word.
00:45:53.35\00:45:56.45
You could feel the Holy Spirit's
00:45:56.48\00:45:58.59
presence in the room.
00:45:58.62\00:46:02.56
After this week of studying,
a secret baptism was held.
00:46:02.59\00:46:06.70
All the doors and
windows were closed
00:46:06.73\00:46:08.60
and everyone sang hymn
softly so as not to be heard.
00:46:08.63\00:46:12.97
And in a lonely bathtub,
00:46:13.00\00:46:14.80
this North Korean
lady was baptized.
00:46:14.84\00:46:17.51
With tear stained
cheeks and joyous eyes,
00:46:22.44\00:46:25.11
she declared her
allegiance to God alone.
00:46:25.15\00:46:30.69
After her baptism,
00:46:30.72\00:46:32.05
she expressed her
desire for freedom
00:46:32.09\00:46:34.42
and the ability
to study the Bible
00:46:34.46\00:46:36.73
at the Adventist
University in South Korea.
00:46:36.76\00:46:39.96
She set off on
foot that very night.
00:46:40.00\00:46:42.63
Sometime later, I
received a phone call.
00:46:50.37\00:46:53.38
The voice on the other
line said in a whisper.
00:46:53.41\00:46:56.11
I have safely
arrived to the border.
00:46:56.14\00:46:58.71
Tonight is the night.
00:46:58.75\00:47:00.55
Please pray for me.
00:47:00.58\00:47:03.22
All I could think
about were the eight strands
00:47:03.25\00:47:05.59
of barbed wire.
00:47:05.62\00:47:07.12
Would she make it?
00:47:07.16\00:47:11.19
Unfortunately, she did not
cross the border that night.
00:47:11.23\00:47:15.60
But was found
by Chinese soldiers
00:47:15.63\00:47:18.27
who sent her back to
her country of birth,
00:47:18.30\00:47:21.44
where she was executed.
00:47:21.47\00:47:24.81
I was so saddened
to receive this news.
00:47:24.84\00:47:28.24
I would never see
those joyful eyes again.
00:47:28.28\00:47:32.78
I remember what she had told me.
00:47:32.81\00:47:35.52
"Even if I am captured,
00:47:35.55\00:47:37.89
I will die with
the hope of salvation."
00:47:37.92\00:47:43.59
She sought freedom.
00:47:43.63\00:47:45.49
And what the
North Korean soldiers
00:47:45.53\00:47:47.40
did not realize is she found it.
00:47:47.43\00:47:52.70
True freedom in Jesus Christ,
00:47:52.73\00:47:56.47
and no one could
take this from her.
00:47:56.50\00:47:59.84
Like Kim, there are many others
00:48:03.88\00:48:06.78
who are also seeking freedom
around this world tonight.
00:48:06.82\00:48:10.82
Friend, are you one of them?
00:48:10.85\00:48:13.92
Do you want to
give your heart to Jesus
00:48:13.96\00:48:16.29
and claim Him as
your personal Savior
00:48:16.32\00:48:18.99
regardless of the cost?
00:48:19.03\00:48:23.20
Are you thinking
about being baptized?
00:48:23.23\00:48:27.00
Is the Holy Spirit
moving on your heart right now?
00:48:27.04\00:48:30.74
Are your thoughts
filled with should I, what if?
00:48:30.77\00:48:34.68
God says yes.
00:48:34.71\00:48:36.51
And He is with you
in every step you take.
00:48:36.54\00:48:40.35
Is it your desire
to say, yes, Jesus,
00:48:40.38\00:48:43.52
I wanna stand for You publicly.
00:48:43.55\00:48:45.85
I wanna be a
part of the millions
00:48:45.89\00:48:47.62
around the world who have
already taken their stand.
00:48:47.66\00:48:51.69
This is the time to
make your decision, friend,
00:48:51.73\00:48:55.43
maybe you've slipped away,
but God is calling you back.
00:48:55.46\00:49:00.90
This is your time
to make a decision.
00:49:00.94\00:49:04.01
Now is a wonderful
opportunity to say,
00:49:04.04\00:49:06.74
Lord, I want to be baptized.
00:49:06.78\00:49:09.38
I want my sins cleansed.
00:49:09.41\00:49:13.21
Pray with me.
00:49:13.25\00:49:16.05
Heavenly Father,
00:49:16.08\00:49:18.79
we come before You
with outstretched hands
00:49:18.82\00:49:21.19
tonight in surrender
for You to lead us on Your
00:49:21.22\00:49:25.56
path that is homeward bound.
00:49:25.59\00:49:28.90
May the Holy
Spirit work mightily
00:49:28.93\00:49:30.83
on our hearts right now,
00:49:30.87\00:49:32.93
as we consecrate
our lives to You,
00:49:32.97\00:49:35.97
to follow You through the
cleansing waves of baptism.
00:49:36.00\00:49:40.01
Lord, You know the person
who is all alone right now,
00:49:40.04\00:49:44.55
and is struggling
to stand for truth,
00:49:44.58\00:49:47.72
because they may be the
only one in their family
00:49:47.75\00:49:50.85
or community.
00:49:50.89\00:49:52.69
Give them special
attention right now, Lord,
00:49:52.72\00:49:56.69
comfort them with a
knowledge that You will protect
00:49:56.73\00:50:00.20
and You will provide.
00:50:00.23\00:50:02.66
Surround them
with an army of angels.
00:50:02.70\00:50:06.30
We know that all
of heaven is rejoicing
00:50:06.33\00:50:08.60
over those that are
choosing You tonight.
00:50:08.64\00:50:12.01
Blessed be the name of
Jesus in all the universe,
00:50:12.04\00:50:16.61
in His holy name, amen.
00:50:16.64\00:50:21.38
The greatest and most
important thing that can
00:50:21.42\00:50:24.35
happen from
Unlocking Bible Prophecies
00:50:24.39\00:50:27.52
is for you to
draw closer to Jesus
00:50:27.56\00:50:32.29
and commit your
whole life to Him.
00:50:32.33\00:50:35.50
God bless you my friend.
00:50:35.53\00:50:37.67
Meet me back here tomorrow
for our final Unlocking Bible
00:50:37.70\00:50:41.94
Prophecies
presentation that's entitled,
00:50:41.97\00:50:45.84
The Great Controversy.
00:50:45.87\00:50:48.31
Friends, this is
the message that changed
00:50:48.34\00:50:51.31
my life personally.
00:50:51.35\00:50:56.52
Choose God's way.
00:50:56.55\00:50:58.75
Good night friends.
00:50:58.79\00:51:01.16
As a special bonus
for our 3ABN viewers,
00:51:01.19\00:51:03.66
we want to share
this story featuring one
00:51:03.69\00:51:05.86
of God's incredible miracles
before we end this program.
00:51:05.89\00:51:09.73
Thank you for your
prayers and support
00:51:09.76\00:51:11.33
of Adventist World Radio.
00:51:11.37\00:51:13.50
Everyday lives
like these are being
00:51:13.54\00:51:15.90
changed for eternity.
00:51:15.94\00:51:20.38
Greetings from the Island
00:51:20.41\00:51:21.74
of Mindoro here
in the Philippines.
00:51:21.78\00:51:24.01
The big question
is how can we train,
00:51:24.05\00:51:26.61
equip and excite
Japanese pastors to preach
00:51:26.65\00:51:29.82
evangelistic series in
their own country next year?
00:51:29.85\00:51:33.36
The answer is here
in the Philippines,
00:51:33.39\00:51:36.46
The Mindoro for Christ Event.
00:51:36.49\00:51:38.96
Adventist World Radio's
goal was to ignite both Japan
00:51:38.99\00:51:41.93
and the
Philippines at the same time
00:51:41.96\00:51:44.33
with a fire of evangelism.
00:51:44.37\00:51:46.17
Could this be
done simultaneously?
00:51:46.20\00:51:48.64
Most thought it wouldn't
work, but Adventist World Radio,
00:51:48.67\00:51:51.91
AWR moved forward in faith.
00:51:51.94\00:51:53.94
This island is one of
the most promising in all
00:52:04.62\00:52:07.39
of the Philippines.
00:52:07.42\00:52:10.03
Oriental Mindoro is
home to over 800,000 people,
00:52:10.06\00:52:14.70
most of whom make
their living by fishing along
00:52:14.73\00:52:17.13
the coast or
farming in the rice fields.
00:52:17.17\00:52:21.20
The mountains are full
00:52:21.24\00:52:22.57
of countless unreached villages,
00:52:22.60\00:52:24.91
but that is all about to
change because of what God
00:52:24.94\00:52:28.44
is about to do
through Adventist World Radio.
00:52:28.48\00:52:33.78
Three months ago,
00:52:33.82\00:52:35.35
AWR started broadcasting
that we were gonna be holding
00:52:35.38\00:52:38.65
evangelistic
series Mindoro For Christ.
00:52:38.69\00:52:41.42
And the people that came to
do those evangelistic series
00:52:41.46\00:52:45.09
were mostly Japanese pastors.
00:52:45.13\00:52:48.43
Most of them had never
preached a series before.
00:52:48.46\00:52:52.07
It was almost to
be a field school
00:52:52.10\00:52:54.77
of evangelism for
Maranatha Japan, 2018
00:52:54.80\00:53:00.51
Well, in doing
this layman got involved
00:53:00.54\00:53:03.48
and began broadcasting
every day nine radio stations,
00:53:03.51\00:53:08.38
four people each so 36 layman.
00:53:08.42\00:53:12.29
These are local laypeople
00:53:12.32\00:53:14.22
who have an
interest in sharing Jesus.
00:53:14.26\00:53:17.06
They volunteer their
time they go into the studios
00:53:17.09\00:53:19.96
and they talk for two hours.
00:53:20.00\00:53:22.33
These laymen began broadcasting.
00:53:22.36\00:53:24.50
But after three weeks of
not having a single response,
00:53:24.53\00:53:28.54
they became discouraged.
00:53:28.57\00:53:30.11
They begin to doubt the
effectiveness of the radio.
00:53:30.14\00:53:33.54
They wondered if
anyone was even listening.
00:53:33.58\00:53:35.48
There was no
response from the listeners.
00:53:35.51\00:53:37.78
And they wondered,
is this even working?
00:53:37.81\00:53:39.98
He decided to have a
Bible question of the day.
00:53:43.28\00:53:47.02
The question of the day, I think
00:53:47.06\00:53:48.39
is the most brilliant idea.
00:53:48.42\00:53:49.79
The day before they would
have a sermon like on the state
00:53:49.82\00:53:52.06
of the death, what
happens to you when you die?
00:53:52.09\00:53:53.93
The next day, then that would
be the question of the day,
00:53:53.96\00:53:56.06
where you go when you die?
00:53:56.10\00:53:57.43
And the first five people
00:53:57.47\00:53:58.80
who'd call in will
get a special gift.
00:53:58.83\00:54:00.50
Either cell phone with recorded
programs on it a little radio
00:54:00.54\00:54:05.47
Steps to Christ.
00:54:05.51\00:54:07.38
As the listeners called in
and they had contact with them,
00:54:07.41\00:54:10.75
they would actually
go to those villages
00:54:10.78\00:54:13.25
and meet those
people personally.
00:54:13.28\00:54:18.05
This is dedication.
00:54:18.09\00:54:20.09
This is people that are
not being paid to do this,
00:54:20.12\00:54:22.82
but people that love the Lord
00:54:22.86\00:54:24.96
and are doing whatever they
can to draw someone to Christ.
00:54:24.99\00:54:29.63
One day, while here in Mindoro
we visited the six day store
00:54:39.71\00:54:43.65
That's run by two Adventist
ladies, they're open six days
00:54:43.68\00:54:46.92
a week, they're
closed on Sabbath.
00:54:46.95\00:54:48.85
This mother daughter duo
00:54:48.88\00:54:51.15
decided to take
their little radio,
00:54:51.19\00:54:53.39
set it out in
front of their store.
00:54:53.42\00:54:55.26
And it wasn't long
before people from the mountains
00:54:55.29\00:54:59.16
started coming down.
00:54:59.19\00:55:00.53
I know there was some
that were walking one hour,
00:55:00.56\00:55:04.63
every day to come down
just to listen to the radio.
00:55:04.67\00:55:09.40
The music started coming on
00:55:09.44\00:55:11.51
and all of a sudden everybody's
clapping and wondered,
00:55:11.54\00:55:16.08
did someone prompt them to
clap just because we're there.
00:55:16.11\00:55:19.65
But no, they
clap every single day
00:55:19.68\00:55:23.02
when that music
comes on because they're
00:55:23.05\00:55:25.05
so excited about the broadcast.
00:55:25.09\00:55:27.96
The year was 1977.
00:55:33.33\00:55:35.00
We were missionaries
in Zaire in the Congo
00:55:35.03\00:55:36.77
living on the
mission station in the Kasai.
00:55:36.80\00:55:39.20
I was on safari in Decassy.
00:55:39.23\00:55:41.10
I was at the
village of Inkloloka
00:55:41.14\00:55:43.04
and went to Inklokoka's way.
00:55:43.07\00:55:44.64
The next morning I woke
up, a lady knocked on my door,
00:55:44.67\00:55:47.34
her name is Bertha.
00:55:47.38\00:55:48.71
She said, "Pastor
will you baptize me?"
00:55:48.74\00:55:50.18
I said, "Sure,
Bertha I will baptize you.
00:55:50.21\00:55:52.35
But why would you walk 20 miles
00:55:52.38\00:55:54.58
all night long to be baptized."
00:55:54.62\00:55:56.95
She says
something I'll never forget.
00:55:56.99\00:55:58.49
She said Pastor McKey,
00:55:58.52\00:55:59.99
"I am so sick and
tired of this old world.
00:56:00.02\00:56:02.79
I want to go
home and see Jesus."
00:56:02.82\00:56:04.69
I thought I would
never see that kind
00:56:04.73\00:56:06.56
of a desire to be baptized.
00:56:06.59\00:56:07.93
That excitement again
in my ministry my life,
00:56:07.96\00:56:10.83
but it happened.
00:56:10.87\00:56:12.20
It has happened right
now here in the Philippines,
00:56:12.23\00:56:14.37
a group of people,
25 of them walked out
00:56:14.40\00:56:17.24
of the mountains
across the jungles,
00:56:17.27\00:56:19.31
and rivers and
streams, to be baptized.
00:56:19.34\00:56:22.84
Twelve of them were
baptized. It was so exciting.
00:56:22.88\00:56:24.88
They walked not 20
miles, not 20 miles, 48 miles.
00:56:24.91\00:56:29.92
It was thrilling, unbelievable
to baptize these people
00:56:29.95\00:56:33.59
who had so much excitement
and desire to see Jesus.
00:56:33.62\00:56:36.09
We are
experiencing the outpouring
00:56:42.56\00:56:44.13
of the Holy Spirit
here on this island.
00:56:44.17\00:56:46.40
We knew we would
have success here.
00:57:07.49\00:57:09.49
But we never imagined
00:57:09.52\00:57:11.56
we would have the success
that we are having here today.
00:57:11.59\00:57:16.50
Some of these Japanese
pastors their entire lives,
00:57:16.53\00:57:19.87
they baptize one or
maybe two people a year
00:57:19.90\00:57:23.44
and to be here and all
sudden have this mass baptism
00:57:23.47\00:57:26.71
where they're
baptizing 25, 30 people
00:57:26.74\00:57:29.74
that will change
their lives forever,
00:57:29.78\00:57:31.78
and they're gonna take that fire
00:57:31.81\00:57:33.45
and they're
gonna go back to Japan.
00:57:33.48\00:57:36.75
To see that person
come up out of the water
00:57:36.79\00:57:40.26
with such joy on their face.
00:57:40.29\00:57:42.52
There's nothing like that.
00:57:42.56\00:57:44.59
And you times that by 1400,
00:57:44.63\00:57:47.70
that's what the
Sabbath was like.
00:57:47.73\00:57:49.36
As a result of AWR's
Ministry in Mindoro, today,
00:57:56.17\00:57:59.97
we are baptizing
more than 1400 people.
00:58:00.01\00:58:04.61
I thought before that
radio would never work
00:58:04.65\00:58:06.75
here in Mindoro.
00:58:06.78\00:58:08.68
Now, I believe that God
00:58:08.72\00:58:11.29
is still working
radio to reach people
00:58:11.32\00:58:14.32
and to prepare
people for His Kingdom.
00:58:14.36\00:58:15.86
Thank you so
much for your support
00:58:34.54\00:58:36.11
of Adventist World Radio
whose Bible programs penetrate
00:58:36.14\00:58:39.85
all countries and through
all walls, no, no borders.
00:58:39.88\00:58:43.89
Thank you for your
prayers and for your support
00:58:43.92\00:58:45.89
which make all this possible.
00:58:45.92\00:58:47.72
May God bless you.
00:58:47.76\00:58:49.12
These miracles are
not from our grandparents
00:58:49.16\00:58:51.69
old mission storybooks.
00:58:51.73\00:58:53.06
No, this is happening now.
00:58:53.09\00:58:55.80
We are reaching the final
chapters in earth's history
00:58:55.83\00:58:59.10
and God's Spirit is being
poured out all over this world.
00:58:59.13\00:59:03.30
It's time to take our listeners
from broadcast to baptism.
00:59:03.34\00:59:07.71
This is AWR 360.
00:59:07.74\00:59:10.58