Watchtower May 5 through May 11
[For the opening song before the Public Talk, select the song number announced, on the 'Sing Out Joyfully' Page or click here]
Watchtower Study Article 9 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 51 To God We Are Dedicated! Based on Matthew 16.24
1. To Christ, by our God, Jehovah, we have been drawn
To be his disciples from now on.
From Jehovah’s lofty throne,
How the light of truth has shone.
In our hearts, our faith has grown;
Our lives we vow to disown.
To God we are dedicated; This is our choice.
In him and in Jesus we now rejoice.
2. In prayer we have come before Jehovah to say
We’ll serve him forever and obey.
It’s a joy beyond compare,
One that we are glad to share,
As Jehovah’s name we bear,
And Kingdom truth we declare.
To God we are dedicated; This is our choice.
In him and in Jesus we now rejoice.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Get Baptized Without Delay (May 5 through 11)
“Why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized.” Acts 22.16.
[Box] Focus.
Find the strength you need to progress to baptism by considering the examples of the Samaritans, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, and the Corinthians. [End of box]
Question 1. What are some good reasons to get baptized?
1. Do you love Jehovah God, the one who has given you every good gift, even life itself? Do you want to show your love for him? The best way to do so is to dedicate yourself to him and then symbolize your dedication by water baptism. These steps make you part of Jehovah’s family. As a result, your Father and Friend will guide you and care for you because you will belong to him.
[Quotation] Psalm 73.24: You guide me with your advice, And afterward you will lead me to glory. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Isaiah 43.1 and 2: Now this is what Jehovah says, Your Creator, O Jacob, the One who formed you, O Israel: “Do not be afraid, for I have repurchased you. I have called you by your name. You belong to me. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, And through the rivers, they will not flood over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame singe you. [End Quotation]
Dedication and baptism also give you the prospect of enjoying endless life.
[Quotation] 1 Peter 3.21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [End Quotation]
Question 2. What will we consider in this article?
2. Is something holding you back from getting baptized? If so, you are not alone. Millions before you have had to make changes in their conduct and in their way of thinking in order to qualify for baptism. They are now serving Jehovah with joy and zeal. What can you learn from some who got baptized in the first century? Let us consider obstacles they faced and see what we can learn from their example.
The Samaritans Got Baptized
Question 3. What obstacles to baptism may some Samaritans have faced?
3. The Samaritans in Jesus’ day belonged to a religious sect that was centered in the vicinity of ancient Shechem and Samaria, north of Judea. Before the Samaritans could get baptized, they had to gain a more complete knowledge of God’s Word. The Samaritans accepted as inspired only the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy, and possibly the book of Joshua. The Samaritans did, however, expect the Messiah to come, based on God’s promise recorded at Deuteronomy 18.18 and 19.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 18.18 and 19: I will raise up for them from the midst of their brothers a prophet like you, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. 19 Indeed, I will require an account from the man who will not listen to my words that he will speak in my name. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 4.25: The woman said to him: “I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.” [End Quotation]
In order to get baptized, they had to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. “Many of the Samaritans” did just that.
[Quotation] John 4.39: Many of the Samaritans from that city put faith in him because of the word of the woman who bore witness, saying: “He told me all the things I did.” [End Quotation]
Others may have had to overcome the deep-seated prejudice that existed between Samaritans and Jews.
[Quotation] Luke 9.52 through 54: So he sent messengers ahead of him. And they went and entered a village of Samaritans to make preparations for him. 53 But they did not receive him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said: “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven and annihilate them?” [End Quotation]
Question 4. According to Acts 8.5 and 6; 14, how did some Samaritans respond to Philip’s preaching?
4. What helped the Samaritans to get baptized? When Philip the evangelizer preached “the Christ to them,” some Samaritans “accepted the word of God.” (Read Acts 8.5 and 6; 14) Philip had a Jewish background, but they did not object. Perhaps they recalled verses from the Pentateuch indicating that God is not partial.
[Quotation] Deuteronomy 10.17 through 19: For Jehovah your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty, and awe-inspiring, who treats none with partiality and does not accept a bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless child and the widow and loves the foreign resident, giving him food and clothing. 19 You too must love the foreign resident, for you became foreign residents in the land of Egypt. [End Quotation]
In any event, they paid “attention to what Philip said” about the Christ, and they recognized the clear evidence that God was backing Philip. He was also performing many signs, which included curing the sick and expelling demons.
[Quotation] Acts 8.7: For many had unclean spirits, and these would cry out with a loud voice and come out. Moreover, many who were paralyzed and lame were cured. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Acts 8.5 and 6: Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began to preach the Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were paying attention to what Philip said while they listened and observed the signs he was performing. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Acts 8.14: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; [End of Read scripture]
Question 5. What lessons can you learn from the Samaritans?
5. Those Samaritans could have allowed prejudice or a lack of knowledge to prevent them from progressing. But they did not let that happen. The Samaritans did not delay getting baptized after they were convinced that Philip had taught them the truth. The Bible account explains: “When they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were getting baptized.” (Acts 8.12) Are you convinced that God’s Word is the truth and that Jehovah’s Witnesses overcome prejudice and endeavor to show one another genuine love, the identifying mark of true Christians?
[Quotation] John 13.35: By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” [End Quotation]
Then take decisive action, confident that Jehovah will bless you.
Question 6. How can you benefit from Ruben’s example?
6. Ruben, from Germany, grew up in a family of Witnesses. However, as a youth, he had doubts about Jehovah’s existence. How did he overcome his doubts? Realizing that he lacked knowledge, he decided to do something about it. He said: “In my personal study, I needed to face my doubts. I had to study the topic of evolution several times.” He read the book Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? That publication had a tremendous effect on Ruben. He thought to himself: ‘Wow! Jehovah is real.’ And during a visit to world headquarters, Ruben deepened his appreciation for the miracle of our united international brotherhood. When he returned to Germany, Ruben got baptized at age 17. If you have doubts about what you have learned, face them by doing research in our publications. Doubts can be overcome with “accurate knowledge.”
[Quotation] Ephesians 4.13 and 14: until we all attain to the oneness of the faith and of the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to being a full-grown man, attaining the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ. 14 So we should no longer be children, tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in deceptive schemes. [End Quotation]
And as you hear reports about the love and unity among Jehovah’s people in other parts of the world and see evidence of it in your own congregation, your appreciation for our worldwide brotherhood will grow.
Saul of Tarsus Got Baptized
Question 7. What thinking did Saul have to correct?
7. Consider the example of Saul of Tarsus. He was progressing well in Judaism and had an impressive Jewish background.
[Quotation] Galatians 1.13 and 14: Of course, you heard about my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I kept intensely persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it; 14 and I was making greater progress in Judaism than many of my own age in my nation, as I was far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Philippians 3.5: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born from Hebrews; regarding law, a Pharisee; [End Quotation]
At a time when many Jews viewed Christians as apostates, Saul furiously persecuted them. He wrongly thought that he was doing God’s will.
[Quotation] Acts 8.3: Saul, though, began to ravage the congregation. He would invade one house after another, dragging out both men and women and turning them over to prison. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 9.1 and 2: But Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that he might bring bound to Jerusalem any whom he found who belonged to The Way, both men and women. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 26:9 through 11: I, for one, was convinced that I should commit many acts of opposition against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 This is exactly what I did in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the holy ones in prisons, for I had received authority from the chief priests; and when they were to be executed, I cast my vote against them. 11 By punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to recant; and since I was extremely furious with them, I went so far as to persecute them even in outlying cities. [End Quotation]
In order to accept Jesus and get baptized as a Christian, Saul himself would have to be willing to become a target of persecution.
Two parts: Question 8a. What helped Saul to get baptized?
Question 8b. According to Acts 22.12 through 16, how did Ananias help Saul? (See also picture)
8. What helped Saul to get baptized? When the glorified Lord Jesus appeared to him, Saul was blinded.
[Quotation] Acts 9.3 through 9: Now as he was traveling and getting near Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He asked: “Who are you, Lord?” He said: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 Now the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing, indeed, the sound of a voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul then got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he did not see anything, and he neither ate nor drank. [End Quotation]
For three days, he fasted and no doubt meditated on what he had just experienced. Yes, Saul became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and that his followers practiced the true religion. Saul must have been struck with remorse for his share in Stephen’s death!
[Quotation] Acts 22.20: and when the blood of Stephen your witness was being spilled, I was standing by and approving and guarding the outer garments of those doing away with him.’ [End Quotation]
At the end of the three days, a disciple named Ananias kindly approached Saul, healed his blindness, and encouraged him to get baptized without delay. (Read Acts 22.12 through 16) Saul humbly accepted the help and embraced a new way of life.
[Quotation] Acts 9.17 and 18: So Ananias went and entered the house, and he laid his hands on him and said: “Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road along which you were coming, has sent me so that you may recover sight and be filled with holy spirit.” 18 And immediately, what looked like scales fell from his eyes, and he recovered his sight. He then got up and was baptized, [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Acts 22.12 through 16: “Then a man named Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, well-reported-on by all the Jews living there, 13 came to me. He stood by me and said to me: ‘Saul, brother, regain your sight!’ And that very moment I looked up and saw him. 14 He said: ‘The God of our forefathers has chosen you to come to know his will and to see the righteous one and to hear the voice of his mouth, 15 because you are to be a witness for him to all men of the things you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized, and wash your sins away by your calling on his name.’ [End of Read scripture]
[Image Alt:] Saul stepping into a body of water to get baptized. A few people happily observe. Caption: Will you accept encouragement to get baptized, just as Saul did?
Question 9. What lessons can you learn from Saul?
9. There are lessons that we can learn from Saul. He could have allowed pride or fear of man to prevent him from getting baptized. But he did not allow that to happen. Saul humbly changed his life course when he accepted the truth about the Christ.
[Quotation] Acts 26.14: And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice say to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.’ [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 26:19: “Therefore, King Agrippa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision, [End Quotation]
Saul was willing to become a Christian even though he knew that he would be persecuted.
[Quotation] Acts 9.15 and 16: But the Lord said to him: “Go! because this man is a chosen vessel to me to bear my name to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.16 For I will show him plainly how many things he must suffer for my name.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 20.22 and 23: And now look! bound in the spirit, I am traveling to Jerusalem, although not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me, saying that imprisonment and tribulations are waiting for me. [End Quotation]
After his baptism, he continued relying on Jehovah to help him endure various trials.
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 4.7 through 10: However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us. 8 We are hard-pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; 9 we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed. 10 Always we endure in our body the death-dealing treatment that Jesus suffered, that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our body. [End Quotation]
Your getting baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses may lead to tests of faith or trials, but you will have help. You can be confident of the unfailing support of God and of Christ.
[Quotation] Philippians 4.13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power. [End Quotation]
Question 10. How can you benefit from Anna’s example?
10. Anna grew up in a Kurdish family in Eastern Europe. After her mother got baptized, Anna began to study the Bible at age 9 with her father’s approval. However, this caused problems with her extended family, who all lived together with Anna’s family. The relatives viewed it as a disgrace for someone to leave the religion of the forefathers. When Anna was 12 years old, she asked her father for approval to get baptized. He wanted to know if it was her personal decision or if she was being pressured by someone. She responded, “I love Jehovah.” Her father agreed to her baptism. Afterward, Anna faced various forms of ridicule and mistreatment. One of her relatives told her, “You would be better off living an immoral lifestyle and smoking than being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” How did Anna cope? She said, “Jehovah helped me to be strong, and my mother and father supported me very much.” Anna keeps a record of the specific times when she has felt Jehovah’s hand in her life. She refers to it from time to time so that she does not forget how Jehovah has helped her. If you fear opposition, remember that Jehovah will help you too.
[Quotation] Hebrews 13.6: So that we may be of good courage and say: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” [End Quotation]
Cornelius Got Baptized
Question 11. What circumstances did Cornelius face?
11. The Bible also provides the example of Cornelius. He was “a centurion,” that is, a commander of about 100 soldiers in the Roman army.
[Quotation] Acts 10.1: Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, an army officer* [Footnote] an army officer: Or “a centurion.” A centurion was in command of about 100 soldiers in the Roman army. [End of Footnote] in what was called the Italian unit. [End Quotation]
As such, he may have had significant social and military status. He “made many gifts of mercy to the people.”
[Quotation] Acts 10.2: He was a devout man who feared God together with all his household, and he made many gifts of mercy to the people and made supplication to God continually. [End Quotation]
Jehovah sent the apostle Peter to declare the good news to him. Did Cornelius’ position cause him to delay getting baptized?
Question 12. What helped Cornelius to get baptized?
12. What helped Cornelius to get baptized? We read that he “feared God together with all his household.” And Cornelius made supplication to God continually.
[Quotation] Acts 10.2: He was a devout man who feared God together with all his household, and he made many gifts of mercy to the people and made supplication to God continually. [End Quotation]
When Peter declared the good news to Cornelius, he and his family accepted Christ and promptly got baptized.
[Quotation] Acts 10.47 and 48: “Can anyone deny water to prevent these from being baptized who have received the holy spirit just as we have?” 48 With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to stay for some days. [End Quotation]
Cornelius was no doubt willing to make whatever adjustments were required of him so that he could worship Jehovah together with his family.
[Quotation] Joshua 24.15: Now if it seems bad to you to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods that your forefathers served on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are dwelling. But as for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 10.24: The following day he entered into Caesarea. Cornelius, of course, was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 10.33: I then sent for you at once, and you were kind enough to come here. So now we are all present before God to hear all the things you have been commanded by Jehovah to say.” [End Quotation]
Question 13. What lessons can you learn from Cornelius?
13. Like Saul, Cornelius could have allowed his position to prevent him from becoming a Christian. But he did not allow that to happen. Does accepting the truth require that you make significant changes in your life? If so, Jehovah will be your Helper. He will bless your determination to serve him in harmony with Bible principles.
Question 14. How can you benefit from Tsuyoshi’s example?
14. Tsuyoshi, from Japan, had to make a change in his employment in order to qualify for baptism. He was the assistant to the headmaster of the Ikenobo school of flower arrangement. When the headmaster was unable to attend funerals, Tsuyoshi often represented him in Buddhist rituals. However, when Tsuyoshi learned the truth about death, this practice became an obstacle to baptism. He made a personal decision not to share in Buddhist rites.
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 6.15 and 16: Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [End Quotation]
Tsuyoshi spoke to the headmaster about the subject. The result? Tsuyoshi was able to keep his job without having to participate in the rituals. He got baptized about a year after he began studying the Bible.* [Footnote] The life story of Brother Tsuyoshi Fujii appears in the Awake! magazine of August 8, 2005, pages 20 through 23. [End of footnote] If you need to adjust your employment in order to please God, be assured that he will provide what you and your family need.
[Quotation] Psalm 127.2: It is in vain that you rise up early, That you stay up late, That you toil for your food, Since he provides for his loved ones while giving them sleep. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Matthew 6.33: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. [End Quotation]
The Corinthians Got Baptized
Question 15. What obstacles to baptism did the Corinthians face?
15. Ancient Corinth was known for its materialism and lack of moral restraint. Many who lived there pursued lifestyles that God does not approve. Clearly, such a climate posed a real challenge for anyone who would accept the good news. Yet, when the apostle Paul came to that city and preached the good news about the Christ, “many of the Corinthians who heard began to believe and be baptized.”
[Quotation] Acts 18.7 through 11: So he transferred from there and went into the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house adjoined the synagogue. 8 But Crispus, the presiding officer of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, along with all his household. And many of the Corinthians who heard began to believe and be baptized. 9 Moreover, the Lord said to Paul in a vision by night: “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not keep silent, 10 for I am with you and no man will assault you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 So he stayed there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. [End Quotation]
Then the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Paul in a vision and said: “I have many people in this city.” So Paul continued preaching there for a year and a half.
Question 16. What helped some in Corinth to overcome obstacles to baptism? (2 Corinthians 10.4 and 5)
16. What helped the Corinthians to get baptized? (Read 2 Corinthians 10.4 and 5) God’s Word and his powerful holy spirit helped them to make drastic changes in their life.
[Quotation] Hebrews 4.12: For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. [End Quotation]
Those in Corinth who accepted the good news about Christ were able to abandon such habits and practices as drunkenness, thievery, and homosexuality.* [Footnote] See on jw.org the video ‘Why Are You Delaying Baptism?’ [End of footnote]
[Quotation] 1 Corinthians 6.9 through 11: Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, 10 thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom. 11 And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God. [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] 2 Corinthians 10.4 and 5: For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. 5 For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ; [End of Read scripture]
[Press play below for Video Why Are You Delaying Baptism? (1:10)]
Question 17. What can you learn from the Corinthians?
17. Note that although some in Corinth had deeply entrenched habits to overcome, they did not conclude that it would be too difficult for them to become Christians. They put forth diligent effort to get on the cramped road leading to everlasting life.
[Quotation] Matthew 7.13 and 14: “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it. [End Quotation]
Are you struggling to overcome a bad habit or a wrong practice in order to get baptized? Never give up the fight! Beg Jehovah for his holy spirit to help you to resist craving what is bad.
Your Faith Can Move Mountains
Question 18. How can you benefit from Monika’s example?
18. Monika, from the country of Georgia, worked hard to abandon unclean speech and improper entertainment in order to progress to baptism. She said: “During my teens, my power was prayer. Jehovah knew that I wanted to do the right thing, and he was always helping me and guiding me.” Monika got baptized at age 16. Are there practices you need to abandon in order to serve Jehovah acceptably? Continue asking him for the power to make changes. Jehovah generously provides his holy spirit.
[Quotation] John 3.34: For the one whom God sent speaks the sayings of God, for He does not give the spirit sparingly. [End Quotation]
Your Faith Can Move Mountains
Question 19. What can help you overcome mountainlike obstacles? (See also picture)
19. Be assured that Jehovah loves you and wants you to be part of his family. That is true no matter what obstacles to baptism you are facing. Jesus said to a group of his first-century disciples: “If you have faith the size of a mustard grain, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
[Quotation] Matthew 17.20: He said to them: “Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard grain, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” [End Quotation]
Those present to hear this had been with Jesus for just a few years, so their faith was still growing. But Jesus assured them that if they developed sufficient faith, Jehovah would help them to move mountainlike obstacles. And Jehovah will help you to do the same!
![[Image:] A happy group of brothers and sisters at a convention, clapping as newly baptized ones walk by. Picture Description: A group of brothers and sisters warmly welcome those who have just got baptized.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_8ba1417ea9094a50a0a00be88c3c22d4~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_962,h_541,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpeg)
[Image Alt:] A happy group of brothers and sisters at a convention, clapping as newly baptized ones walk by. Picture Description: A group of brothers and sisters warmly welcome those who have just got baptized. Caption: Be assured that Jehovah loves you and wants you to be part of his family
Question 20. How have the examples of first-century and modern-day Christians mentioned in this article motivated you?
20. If you recognize obstacles that prevent you from getting baptized, take steps to remove them without delay. Find comfort and strength in the examples of first-century and modern-day Christians. May their example encourage you and move you to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and get baptized. It is the best decision you could ever make!
[Box] What Did You Learn From the Following First-Century Christians About How to Overcome Obstacles to Baptism?
The Samaritans
Saul of Tarsus and Cornelius
The Corinthians [End of box]
Song 38 He Will Make You Strong. Based on 1 Peter 5.10
1. There was a reason why God brought the truth to you
And called you from the darkness to the light.
Within your heart, he saw the longing that you had
To search for him and practice what is right.
You promised him in prayer to do his will;
He helped you then, and he will help you still.
With Jesus’ blood He bought you,
to God you now belong.
So he will make you firm,
and he will make you strong.
He’ll guide you and protect you,
as he has all along.
Yes, he will make you firm,
and he will make you strong.
2. God gave his own beloved Son in your behalf;
On this account, He wants you to succeed.
If He did not withhold the gift of His dear Son,
Then never doubt He’ll give the strength you need.
He won’t forget the faith and love you’ve shown;
He will not fail to care for all His own.
With Jesus’ blood He bought you,
to God you now belong.
So he will make you firm,
and he will make you strong.
He’ll guide you and protect you,
as he has all along.
Yes, he will make you firm,
and he will make you strong.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
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