BAPTISM=IT IS A GIFT

 

BAPTISM=IT IS A GIFT

I don't remember it=

But I was FIRST BAPTIZED

On my mom and dad's

FIRST wedding anniversary=

And it MARKED

The BEGINNING of my life

As a CHRISTIAN

I have REAFFIRMED this commitment

Several times=as an adult

And I can still say

“I am PROUD

To be a CHRISTIAN”

BAPTISM=it is a TRUE GIFT=

And it is a sign

Of LIFE=for all of us

“AS they traveled

Along the road=

They came to some water

And the eunuch said=

'…....What is to prevent me

Being baptized?'

Then he ordered

The chariot to stop

And Philip and the eunuch

Both went down into the water

And he BAPTIZED HIM” Acts 8:36-38

Baptism=it is a GIFT!

In the kingdom of God

And MARKS US=

As BELIEVERS of the Father

And of Jesus

And today's story

Of Philip=and the eunuch

Is a gift too

At the SPIRIT'S command=

Philip catches up with

The chariot

And EXPLAINS to the ETHIOPIAN eunuch

The passage in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:7-8)

It describes the prophecy of Jesus=

Giving his life=to SAVE US

And to save ALL OTHERS

Yes=BAPTISM=it is

A TREMENDOUS GIFT form God

“Therefore=if you are

Offering your GIFT

At the altar

And there remember=that your brother or sister

Has something against you

Leave your GIFT

In front of the altar” Matthew 5:23

“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

As Philip PROCLAIMED

More about Jesus=

The chariot passed the water

And the eunuch

ASKED if he could be baptized

Philip BAPTIZES the eunuch

With the SPIRIT OF GOD=

And the eunuch continues

On his way=REJOICING

BAPTISM=it is a GIFT

From God=and we should all

CONTINUE through our lives

REJOICING TOO

“For his anger=lasts only a moment

But his favor

Lasts a lifetime

Weeping may stay=for the night

BUT REJOICING

Comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5

Dear HOLY SPIRIT=we

Thank you for coming to us

IN BAPTISM

Please help us=to LOVINGLY WITNESS

For Jesus=and the Holy Father=

ALL the days of our life

In Jesus' name=and in the name=of our ALL LOVING FATHER!

Robert P. Wallman

4-21-2021

Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Patricia Livingston