2 Corinthians 5:18-20New King James Version (NKJV)



Read the 13 Baptismal Vows of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and share why each of them is important. 1. I believe in God the Father; in His Son Jesus Christ; and in the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritConfession of your belief in God (including the Trinity) is the first step toward salvation. John 3:16 – For God (the Father) so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.2. I accept the death of Jesus to pay for my sins.John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."(NKJV) His death on Calvary provides the way of salvation. 1 John 1:7 [Full Chapter]But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 12?Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13?For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14?how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:12 - 143. I accept the new heart Jesus gives me in place of my sinful heart.2 Corinthians 5:17 [Full Chapter]Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. The gift of salvation can only be had by acceptance. While baptism is not required to be saved, public acceptance of your personal Saviour may lead others to Jesus too. 4. I believe that Jesus in heaven is my best friend and that He gives me the Holy Spirit so I can obey Him. My little children, I am writing these things to you, so that you do not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1Philippians 2:13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.Jesus is our intercessor in heaven, standing as our advocate in front of the Father. Living a Christian life can only be accomplished by the Spirit's help. 5. I believe God gave me the Bible as my most important guidebookAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17?that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17The Seventh-day Adventist Church accepts the Bible, and the Bible only, for defining its beliefs. Acceptance of God's word exclusively (and hence rejecting all competing "sacred books") places the Christian on firm footing. 6. By God living in me through the Holy Spirit, I want to obey the Ten Commandments, which include the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath.John 14:15[ Jesus Promises Another Helper ] “If you love Me, keep My commandments.He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”John 15:10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.1 John 2:3[ The Test of Knowing Him ] Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.1 John 3:24[ The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error ] Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.So many have rejected the only part of the Bible God wrote in his own hand - in stone no less. If we follow the ten commandments we will have a much happier life. The Sabbath is the focus of the first part of the Seventh-day Adventist name. 7. I want to help as many people as possible to be ready for the soon coming of JesusTitus 2:13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?2 Corinthians 5:18-20New King James Version (NKJV)18?Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19?that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.20?Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. Mark 16:15New King James Version (NKJV)15?And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. John 14:1-3New King James Version (NKJV)The Way, the Truth, and the Life14?“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2?In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[b] 3?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. To become an "Adventist" is to anticipate the second Advent of Christ. 8. I believe God gives special abilities to His people, and that the Spirit of Prophecy is given to His chosen people6?Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7?or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8?he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6 – 84?There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5?There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6?And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7?But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8?for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9?to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10?to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11?But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.27?Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28?And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29?Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30?Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31?But earnestly desire the best[d] gifts. 1 Corinthians 12We are all given spiritual gifts to develop to the glory of God. The Spirit of Prophecy makes the Seventh-day Adventist Church unique. Other groups may claim prophets but we must be vigilant to test these claims against the Word of God. 9. I want to help God’s church with my influence, effort and money. Proverbs 3:9Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;1 Timothy 6:17-19New King James Version (NKJV)17?Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18?Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19?storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.7?So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.Baptism is a public expression of faith, but if you will also join the Seventh-day Adventist Church it is not enough to just warm a pew. If you are committed to being a member of the church, you need to support the church with your resources - time, money and influence. What can you do to advance the mission of the church each day? 10. I want to take good care of my body because the Holy Spirit lives there now.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 [Full Chapter]Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 11. With God’s power, I want to obey the basic principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 11?For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12?teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13?looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11 - 13Colossians 3:1 – 25. ?If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2?Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3?For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4?When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.5?Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6?Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7?in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.8?But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9?Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10?and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11?where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.12?Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13?bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14?But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15?And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16?Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17?And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.18?Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.19?Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.20?Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.21?Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.22?Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23?And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24?knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25?But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.This section affirms your personal belief in the doctrines of the church. If you do not agree wholeheartedly with the truths as articulated by the organization, why should you join the organization? 12. I want to be baptized to show people I am a ChristianBaptism isn't an act that gets us into heaven - it is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that offers that assurance. Baptism (by full immersion as taught in the Bible) is an act of obedience that should be an immediate part of our acceptance of the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. But it does not mean that one who truly gives their heart to Jesus on a death bed, in the heat of warfare, or in a crashing airplane, will be kept out of heaven because they failed to be baptized. The thief on the cross next to Jesus didn't have time to be baptized before he died, but he had an opportunity to believe in Jesus and put his trust in Him, and Jesus responded by saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). True faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross for our sins is sufficient for salvation. Christ has already done everything. By definition, His grace doesn't require any additional "works" by us. That being said, Jesus Christ commands us to be baptized (Matthew 28:18-20), and therefore, all believers should be baptized. Immediately following Christ's command, the Book of Acts describes the practice of administering baptism to almost every group or individual who believed in the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-13; 8:35-39; 9:10-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:30-33; 18:8; and 19:1-6). Water Baptism - What does it symbolize?According to the Bible, the symbolism of baptism declares that three things happen to believers who are baptized: (1) they die with Christ to their old self; (2) they rise with Christ to become a new creature; and (3) they are incorporated in their new life with a living community which looks for the coming of the Lord (Romans 6:1-11). Contrary to what some denominations teach, it seems obvious that a Christian's baptism must necessarily require a responsible decision to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and therefore, must be delayed until an age of reason or discretion (knowing right from wrong within God's perspective). In short, Jesus Christ commands baptism for His followers. Although the act of baptism does not cause eternal salvation, it seems that any believer who refuses baptism should truly examine his or her conversion. 13. I want to be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and I believe this church has a special message to give the world.Adventists are a church for the end times. Adventists welcome all believers without discrimination based on national origin, race or language - and the Adventist family is one of the most culturally diverse groups on the planet. ................
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