What's the new National Leader of the Baptist Union of New Zealand been thinking about lately? Find out in this video update from Chris Chamberlain – see the abridged transcript below.
Kia ora New Zealand Baptists,
Last week, I went to the Hanmer Holy Spirit Retreat, an annual event held in Hanmer Springs for Baptist pastors and leaders. There was a big crowd of about 175 people, and I really appreciated the time I spent there; it was full of encouragement, prayer ministry, and waiting on God for refreshment and restoration.
Hanmer is run by Greg Morris and Iain Froud from Oxford Baptist Church, along with a crew of others, quite a few others.
While I was at the retreat, my Bible reading for the day was Acts 2 verse 38.
"Peter said to them, repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Some versions use the words change your heart and life, instead of repent and be baptised.
When I think of repentance, I find it helpful to think about changing my heart and my life. The call to repent and be baptised made me think about our Baptist traditions. Baptists do a really good job of the baptism of believers. We pay attention to the connection between believing and being baptised. Can you recall your baptism? Can you recall what sometimes is described as your first love? Your first response to Jesus?
There's a chance that somebody who has not said ‘yes’ to Jesus is watching this. Is it time you said ‘yes’ to Jesus?
What does changing your heart and life mean? What does this word repentance mean?
If repentance is something you might need to consider, can I ask you to talk to your local church pastor, or somebody involved in your local church. They would be very pleased to sit down and talk about it with you.
Maybe you've got a question about Jesus and maybe it is time to do something with that. Go to your local church pastor and raise it with them. Again, I know they’d be very pleased to discuss it with you.
This is what God laid on my heart to say today. God bless you and thank you for what you are doing,
Chris
Read more Together columns from Chris:
- Together: week one with Chris | Baptist New Zealand
- Together: When children struggle, the Church responds | Baptist New Zealand
- Together: The Acts 2 Movement | Baptist New Zealand
- Together: Kingdom people | Baptist New Zealand
