What is that about?! Baptism.

This post is the first of a few that’ll be out before Christmas. In the past new students have had some questions about Kings that, for various reasons, they have not had answered until they have been here for a long time.

For some it has been a bit of a shock when they’ve found out. If you are new to Kings I hope “What is that about?!” will provide some answers early in your time here. And if you already know it is good to be reminded!

So baptism.

Why do we dunk people in a big pool of water? Well, Jesus said to do so (Matthew 28) and, appropriately, baptism is all about indentifying ourselves with Him.

It is for believers; those who have made a choice to follow Him. It is a demonstration that we have accepted Jesus as our saviour and that this has given us new life. The full immersion is a wonderful illustration of the old being washed away and a new life emerging (Acts 8: 38, Matt 3:16).

That is the water. But Acts 1: 5 also talks of baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is a separate event from water baptism.

The Holy Spirit brings encouragement, gifts and energy to Christians and the Church as a whole. It is therefore vital that we all seek baptism in the Holy Spirit, the receiving of the Spirit, if we are to see the Kingdom in increasing measure here on the earth.

This may have opened up more questions than answers. Do ask the questions to me, to small group leaders, to elders! Do look in the Bible at the references here!

Best,

Dan

“Lets catch up…”

I am increasingly finding that I have to book in time to meet up with friends, often weeks in advance. My MA is rather heavy on workload and leading the student work also has its demands.

Is this just about work/life balance? As a Christian I am not so sure. I think God will often bring us through times where our lives are profoundly unbalanced; at least to earthly eyes. (On the point of how we see things, check out Goff’s sermon on “perspective”: http://www.kings-norwich.com/?content=Teaching 10^th Oct. I found it so helpful.)

I'm learning the crucial balance I must strike in my life is not between work and life; but between the eternal and the temporary, between the Kingdom and the earth. The encouragement I find when I see a friend is great, but that which I find with God surpasses it. In fact, very often, the best times I have with friends are when we actively involve God too.

I am regularly tempted to “book God in” weeks in advance. But I am realising that when I don’t see God for a while I get down and discouraged.

I hope you’ll come to Intermission this Sunday, to be with friends and with God. I am praying it will be a time of encouragement and of growth as we seek Him together.

God Bless,

Dan.

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Intermission is this Sunday (14^th Nov) after church. Lunch followed by time together with God. Bus back to campus afterwards (3pm)