Geoffrey's Notebook

Jesus is my Lord! We were at a place where the Muslims did not want any Christian activity. Early in the morning our time of baptism began with a short word and a fast translator (into Chinese). Those baptised shared their most basic testimonies: "My name is _____, and Jesus is my Lord!" It was a joyful and blessed experience. Some hotel staff started to watch and ask questions but we were too fast to get into any trouble this time. Video by sister Marcia ( original link ) while on the 2023 Egypt and Israel Bible Study Tour 301 "From Egypt into Canaan - the Path of Growth."

I had a question from a brother who was about to counsel someone for baptism in May 2021. What follows are some notes I sent. Recently, another asked me about this, so I thought it best to post this as a reference. It's a little raw, like an email, but hopefully helpful to the baptism counselor. See the links at the end of this post for more teaching or preaching on baptism.  Question Asked:  Hi Geoffrey. Someone here has asked to be baptized and requested that I do it. I'm willing but have never baptized anyone before. Can you give me a crash course as this may happen as soon as next week. Also, shouldn't there be some sort of counseling prior? A couple others have expressed interest as well. Quick Response: Awesome to hear! I'll write more later, but I can share a little now.  Counseling  should be simple enough for the thousands saved at Pentecost to get baptized on the same day with only 120 counselors :) If you are counseling, you want to check for two things ba...

Below are some various messages and study notes on baptism.  Messages on Baptism Baptism and the Laying on of Hands

Baptism is not marriage, it is wearing the wedding ring.  1 Peter 3:21

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings [baptisms], the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Heb 6:1-2 ESV) Repentance from Dead Works & Faith in God repentance from dead works and of faith toward God The basic “milk” of the teaching: the word of grace We are saved by grace through faith; it has nothing to do with our works. Even our good works are “dead” because we are spiritually dead to God.  For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift: not on the principle of works, that no one might boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)  but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law nor ...

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings [baptisms], the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  (Heb 6:1-2 ESV) Repentance from Dead Works & Faith In God repentance from dead works and of faith toward God Heb_9:14   how much rather shall the blood of the Christ, who by the eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, purify your conscience from dead works to worship the living God? Joh 3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal. Joh 3:17   For God has not sent his Son into the world that he may judge the world, but that the world may be saved through him. Joh 3:18   He that believes on him is not judged: but he that believes not has been already judg...