Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim It!

Honduras

Over the years we have had numerous crusades and weeks of prayer, each resulting in new souls being won to the kingdom. Earlier this year, Pastor Hector Torres came and held another crusade; at the end, we held our seventh baptism.

Our theme for this crusade was, “Prepare to Meet Thy God.” How we wish all of you could have been there to see our little House of Prayer packed with new precious souls, desiring to hear God’s truth. As I looked into the faces of the people visiting, I could only feel thankfulness and joy. I was reminded of something I had read: “The faithful worker and the soul saved through his labor are greeted by the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and are led to the tree of life and to the fountain of living waters. With what joy does the servant of Christ behold these redeemed ones, who are made to share the glory of the Redeemer!” In Heavenly Places, 364.

Prior to the crusade and baptism, our faithful Bible worker, Douglas Bravo and his father Alfredo, had been studying with a young lady, Rosita Ayala, who accepted God’s truth and made a complete change in her life. She had lived a wild and reckless life, but now she wanted to give her life to the Lord. Step by step, she learned of the doctrines of the church and the changes she would have to make, and she gladly surrendered all to Christ, not wanting to hold onto anything that would alienate her from her Savior or prevent her from being saved. She expressed her desire to be part of the next baptism, a public testimony of her surrendered life to Jesus Christ. Weeks passed by, and she continued to study and make preparation for baptism.

The day finally arrived, and what a beautiful Sabbath day it was. We began the day with communion service. As you know, it begins with the ordinance of foot washing—an opportunity to humble our hearts as Jesus did when He washed His disciples’ feet. We are told that unseen guests are present at these occasions to minister to the hearts of His children. This Sabbath we truly felt God’s presence.

What a glorious sight it was, watching, not only our church members, but many onlookers from the village, walking up the dusty road, through the woods, to the mountain river selected for our baptism. For some, it was their first time witnessing such an event.

I know that everyone there felt and knew that God was present. Even those who did not claim to be Christians saw a marked difference in God’s children. Yes, we are “a chosen generation, a royal priest-hood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

“Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, ‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6.

“Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing.’ And to them is fulfilled the promise: ‘I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.” Counsels for the Church, 295.

Redeemed, Redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

By Joe Willis, Maranatha Medical Ministries, Honduras. E-mail: mmm.mmtc@yahoo.com. Website: www.maranathamedical.org. Donations can be sent to Maranatha Medical Ministries, PO Box 390 Keysville, VA 23947.

Captions:

Bible worker Douglas and his father Alfredo with Rosita following her baptism.

Pastor Hector Torres preaching.

Rosita’s baptism (1)

Rosita’s baptism (2)

Church members and villagers walking to the baptism.