Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, April 1, 2007 Volume 51, Issue 12 Go ahead and mark your calendars. Spring is here and so is our Spring Picnic. We have planned a fun family day for the entire congregation and we need each one of you here! SPRING PICNIC Saturday, April 7th,
2007 Planned Activities:
ARE ALL THOSE THAT ARE BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS? In every example of New Testament conversion people were baptized for remission of sins. "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) One cannot be a Christian without being baptized but not all who have been baptized are Christians. Why would this be true? Many that have been baptized have not been baptized as accountable people. Baptism is an act of submission that must come from the heart. "But God be thanked that thought you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered." (Romans 6:17) Baptizing babies is no more Bible baptism than it would be for several strong men to baptize adults against their will. Babies have no sin and therefore do not need baptism and certainly could not be baptized as a voluntary act of obedience. Many that have been baptized have not been baptized like the Bible teaches. Bible baptism is a burial in water and it is for the remission of sins. Both the reason for which baptism is done and the way in which it is done are important. Bible baptism is a burial. "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) Bible baptism is never sprinkling or pouring. Bible baptism is essential to our salvation. The Bible is plain in teaching that: (1) Baptism comes before salvation (Mark 16:16), (2) Baptism is for remission of sins (Acts 2:38), (3) Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16), (4) Baptism comes before being a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27), and (5) Baptism puts one into Christ. (Romans 6:3-4) In view of such plain teaching how can the Southern Baptist Church (and most other churches) teach that "baptism does not help a person to be saved or to become a Christian?" Many that have been baptized scripturally have not remained faithful. They have not grown in faith. They have stopped following Christ and are in a worse condition than before they obeyed the gospel. 2 Peter 2:20-22 says "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." Jesus said, "...If you continue in My word, then you are My disciples indeed." (John 8:31) All accountable people must be baptized for remission of sins and must remain faithful to God. But, not all who have been baptized are Christians. By Charles Box
FAMILY NEWS OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS OUR RECORD SERVICE GROUPS Service Group #4 please turn in your assignment cards from last week. MEMORIALS THANK YOU Dear Church Family, YE VISITED ME IN PRISON (Matt.25:43) "Thank you at Woodland Hills church of Christ once again for making me and my family very happy because of the Christmas gifts you donated!!! May God continue to bless all of you! Once again Woodland Hills was a true blessing to my family at Christmas and we thank you so much, we absolutely love everyone of you. I will be going to Parole Board in June 2007, and by that time, I will be done with my 8-year sentence and I won’t be on parole or probation (thank you, Jesus)! I am working as a clerk in the Work-Release Office. I don’t get paid money, but I get 41 credits a month for working. That pushes my date closer and closer to going home! At first, when I came to jail, my out-date was 2011. But, since I have been working from the time I first came here until now, my credits have put my out-date for going home to June, 2007! I have been doing "excellent" since I’ve been here. I haven’t gotten into any trouble nor have I gotten any disciplinary actions. I have graduated from a program called "Lifting Voices" - Women in Community Services. I have gotten my MRT certificate also with Anger Management, Parenting, Drug and Alcohol, Computer Skills, Life Skills, Stress Management and Individual and Family Counseling. I was one of six inmates chosen to go out to the Memphis City Schools and speak to the kids and give them a "motivational speech" to stay in school and get their education and obey their parents and teachers. I also tell them what it’s really like being locked-up and being away from family. I encourage them to stay out of trouble, away from drugs and gangs because they will only end up behind bars. I am a new creature in Christ! I love the Lord and I love to study His Word! And I thank Him so much for allowing you to come into my life." SPRING PICNIC Lunch will be served at Noon. The church will be providing the Fried Chicken. We need you to bring sides: Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Fruit Salad, Baked Beans, Desserts and Drinks. BRIDAL SHOWER
EXCHANGE CLUB-CARL PERKINS CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE The mission of the Exchange Club - Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of child abuse is to provide support to families in preventing and dealing with child abuse in West Tennessee and to help both parents and children meet the practical needs of preserving and improving the quality of family life. This non-profit organization needs YOUR HELP! On May 13th 2007 the Hardeman County Carl Perkins Center is hosting a Dinner and Auction. This annual event raises money to keep the Center open and children from abuse. What is needed: Items to be donated to be sold in an auction. Items can include Restaurant Gift Cards or Game Tickets; tickets to any activity in the Shelby-Fayette-Hardeman County areas; Collectors items; woodwork; Basket-O-Goodies; or anything else you are willing to give away to be sold. If there are no items you have to give, donations are accepted. Questions? Just contact Andrea Forrester at 901-484-7692 or Hardeman County Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center at 731-659-2373. This agency helps so many families in West Tennessee, please help keep the centers open and our children safe. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated! Thanks! "Children should be seen and heard and loved and cherished and nurtured and hugged and enjoyed and admired and protected and encouraged and supported and praised and respected and appreciated and valued and helped and complimented AND NOT HURT."
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