What does the Bible say about?
Baptism
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Baptism is the act of being totally immersed with water. The importance of baptism to the believer is that it identifies you as a believer in the resurrected Jesus Christ. It is a symbolic death to your prior life and you are then resurrected as a new creature. Although it is not unto salvation meaning, baptism does not save you, it is an outward show of an inward change within you and indicates your identification with the body of believers.
We baptize by a total immersion in water as it was performed in Jesus’ day. A sprinkling of water over the forehead, though practiced regularly, is nowhere to be found in the Bible and since this is the unchanging word of God, we desire to do God’s perfect will in all areas of our lives. If you have already been baptized, that is fully immersed, there is no need to be baptized again but if you so desire, we are happy to baptize you again. If you have not been baptized before and would like to be baptized, please see one Pastor Kimbrough, Minister Kimbrough or Minister Watson.
Communion
Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a practice in the modern church that dates all the way back to the Messiah himself when he performed it the first time prior to his death on the cross. There is no specific guidelines pertaining to when we should have the Lord’s Supper but Jesus said in I Corinthians 11:25 “…this ye do as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.” When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, the body of believers share bread and wine symbolizing Christ’s body and blood which were sacrificed on the cross for our sins. When we share in this activity with the body of believers we are strengthened spiritually through remembrance of the pivotal occurrence in the Bible, Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Faith
Faith is such a fundamental part of the life of a true believer that it is part of the name of this ministry, Seeds of Faith. Hebrews 11:1 reads “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This is a very popular and well known passage but what is faith really? Is it real? Is it a feeling? Is it something that can be taught? The truth is that faith is defined as a firm belief in something that cannot be proven. By definition, faith has no place in Christian belief because of the simple fact that Christianity is founded upon the faith or belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the third part of the Tri-unity of the God head and He did rise up from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion. Faith in Christ Jesus comes from two major activities:
You must first hear the word. Romans 10:17 says “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” The Bible is the true word of God written by anointed men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. You MUST hear the word of God. As you hear the truth of God’s message, you will be compelled to do one of two things, obey or run away. Either way, the seed has been planted.
You must do what you hear! James 1:22 reads “Be ye doers of the word and not just hearers only”. Some say knowledge is power but we believe, knowledge applied is power. When you put what you have learned from what you have heard, you now put your faith into action and God will then begin to really move in your life.
Fasting
To fast is to abstain from food. It is accomplished in a number of ways but in every case, in the life of the believer, fasting is a time of prayer and worship to bring you closer to God. Generally people fast for various reasons to include: wanting to draw closer to God, needing to hear form God about a particular situation and needing God to move in a particular area of your life. There are no specific “rules” on fasting but it is necessary if one desires to continue to grow spiritually. When confronted with demonic spirits, Jesus himself said to his disciples “…this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29) As one abstains from food, you are bringing your flesh under subjection by going against its most basic of needs, the need for food. Combine this time with prayer and meditation on Christ, some remarkable things will begin to happen in your life.
Fellowship
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
~ Psalms 133:1
Fellowship is a community of interest or activity. The term fellowship is often associated with church worship because generally, people are of a like mind and a kindred spirit. The psalmist said how “good and pleasant” it is because of the growth that takes place in a group with similar interests. Within the body of believers, fellowship is key because we are all charged with the spreading of the gospel even though we may have different functions in that activity. Fellowship is key because in order to spread the gospel, we must be on one accord. We have a common adversary that wants to break up what God has started. When we dwell together in unity, we stay on one accord. Fellowship is also important regarding the edification or lifting up of one another. Simply put, sometimes you need to hear a word of encouragement from your brother or sister and sometimes they need to hear from you. When we fellowship in love and unity, that happens naturally.
Grace and Mercy
Grace is defined as God’s unmerited favor for sinful mankind. The Bible declares in Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein He hath abounded toward us all in wisdom and prudence”.
Mercy is defined as compassionate forgiveness or withholding the punishment or judgment our sins deserve. Romans 9:14-15 read “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy , I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.”
The reason these two are together is because together they make up one of the most powerful reasons to serve a God like we serve. It has been said that grace is“Getting from God what you do not deserve” and mercy is “Not getting from God what you rightfully deserve.” Because of God’s grace and mercy, we each have a hope of glory in Christ Jesus. He showed us all what love is about when He died on the cross and when we realize that without these two, our lives would be utterly devastated, we can only say “Thank You Jesus!!!”
Speaking in Tongues
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The ability to speak in another tongue is a gift from God. To speak in another tongue is a form of worship in which the spirit of the believer is speaking directly to God. The believer himself may not actually know what is being said except for those instances where an interpreter is present to interpret what the individual is actually saying. Romans 8:26 reads “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Speaking in tongues is not for our benefit, it is a solemn form of worship that is personal between God and the believer.
Tithing
Tithing is another form of worship in which we show our thanks to God by giving a tenth (10%) of the bountiful blessings he has given us. Since God is the source of every good thing we enjoy, it is only right to give a portion of what He has given you in appreciation. Malachi 3:10 says “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse; that there may be food in Mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” God is clearly challenging our faith in Him to act on the thing that most every person holds dear and that is their money. (or what they perceive is their “money”) One test of a person’s spiritual growth is in their diligence in giving for the Word says, “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” A tenth is the least of what was given in biblical times because they learned that the more feely they gave the more freely God gave to them.
