Here are some of my favorite posts from other brotherhood works that I have read in the recent past. It's amazing how many great resources are available for Christians via the world wide web. Take a moment and check out these articles and videos and don't forget to browse around the sites while you are there!

2 Fundamentally Different Understandings of Right and Wrong - Radically Christian     It seems to me, the number one reason many of us cannot seem to agree on what is right and wrong behavior for Christians is that we have a fundamentally different way of viewing right and wrong. Read More

The Yoke of Christ - Christian Courier
     Though the citizens of Galilee had observed Christ performing many mighty works, most of them were not moved to repentance (Matt. 11: 20ff). In spite of that spirit of rebellion... Read More

What Must I Know to Be Saved? - Christian Courier
     Three times in the book of Acts the question is posed concerning what one must “do” to be saved. The Jews, on the day of Pentecost, framed the question (Acts 2:37), as... Read More

Is This A Friendly Church? - Preacher Pollard
     While we would be tempted to ask this of ourselves, that’s really not a very honest reflection or indication of a true answer.  But, thankfully, there are several whom we can ask.  Don’t miss the importance of their candor. Read More

The New You (Episode 2) - Robert Hatfield/The Light Network
     In the second episode of TLN's brand new, daily, podcast, Robert discusses "marching forth". Read More

Making Sense of Religious Matters - Veritas Venator
     This past Wednesday evening in our study in Job, I asked a question of the class based on our readings in Job (chs. 31-35), Why do we try to make sense of things that happen to us? Read More

Real Life Super Heroes: Single Parents - Strong Church
     Today we look at a real life super hero: single parents. Single moms and dads are some of hardest working people out there. As a non-single parent I simply don’t know how they do it. Read More

     That's right, C-Sections, the birth of a child assisted by means of a surgery instead of the natural birth canal, are sinful! Well, that is, provided that those who preach what we will study about today are correct. 

     In speaking with a ruler of the Jewish people, a man who was mighty in knowledge of the Scriptures and the traditions of the people, Jesus told us that a person must be born of the water and of the Spirit (John 3:3-5). Now, the popular interpretation of this passage is that the water is the amniotic fluid which often "breaks" at the onset of the woman's labor, and the Spirit is the new birth which brings one into Christianity and the body of Christ. 

     Now, even though the word "water" is never used of this amniotic fluid within the Scriptures but is a modern day colloquialism to lessen the impact of the somewhat gross occurrence and those that teach this have absolutely no grounds on which to base their interpretation for in doing so Jesus would have been stating that in order to partake of the Kingdom of God a person must be a person since we are the only being on earth gifted with a soul (1 Peter 3:20), it is very popular to teach this. But, since there are a vast multitude of people who are born, even naturally, without the breaking of the water (1) and the fact that the water often does not break on its own during the surgical procedure known as a C-Section, then those that believe this must believe that those that are born in such a way do not have access to the saving grace of God!

     So, what is the passage actually talking about if it isn't the false teaching that the water is the breaking of the amniotic sack present at the birth of most children? It's very simple, if you take the Bible to interpret the Bible and you look at the context where Jesus is recorded as giving this decree. 

     In the context, Jesus is recorded as saying that those who "believe (used 8 times in the chapter" "should not perish (John 3:15-16)," "have everlasting life (John 3:16, 36)," and "is not condemned John 3:18)." So, we should understand that belief is that which allows a person to have salvation and enter into the Kingdom of God (since that phrase is speaking of the church).

     But, what is that belief? Is it simply acknowledging that Jesus Christ was real and was in fact the Messiah? No, the context of John 3 clearly shows that belief is defined as doing the truth (John 3:21) and that belief is how one comes to Jesus (John 2:20-21, cf. John 1:4-5). Alright, so we have that you have to believe, which is doing the truth, in order to be saved and being saved is being part of the church (Acts 2:47) and so doing the truth/believing is what Jesus is telling Nicodemus is necessary for the New Birth, as it is often called. 

     But, how does that give us any insight into what the water is referencing in Jesus' conversation with this man?

     If one reads within the same chapter, he will see what water is being connected with this in the same context. John was baptizing in Aenon near Salim because "there was much water there (John 3:23)." There it is. If we take the context and try to answer the question then the water must be that of baptism!

     Let's sum up what we have said, since it might have been confusing. 

1. In order to be saved you must be born again (John 3:3). 
2. Being born again is being born of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5). 
3. Being born again is synonymous with believing (John 3:15, 16, 18, 36). 
4. Believing is doing the truth (John 3:21). 
5. Doing the truth is being baptized (John 3:22-36). 
6. Baptism is done in water (John 3:23). 

     Therefore, the water spoken of in John 3:5 is that of baptism! What about the Spirit part of that passage? Without taking too much time to discuss, the Holy Spirit is the way by which we have been given the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21). Since He is the one that gave us the commands, including that of baptism, then our following those commands would be being born of Him, for He is the one that brought us into this world by means of the Gospel and its instructions. 

     There it is, C-Sections aren't sinful after all. But, teaching that the water of John 3:5 is amniotic fluid is. 

    The last 3 weeks have been full of new beginnings in my life.  Graduation at Memphis School of Preaching meant a new beginning to my new home here in Valdosta, Ga.  Then once I arrived it was time to set out to make new friends and meet new people.  Monday night I asked my girlfriend to marry me and that too started a new chapter of my life that I am blessed to start. And last night I baptized a man into Christ and I couldn’t help but think of the new chapter in one’s life when they decide that they want to serve God and are willing to be baptized into his body for the remission of their sins. 

    In John 3 Jesus told Nicodemus a man had to be born again. Can you imagine the look on Nicodemus’ face? Think of the importance of that moment, when you were born into the world on your journey. Everything is new, there is no sin, you are a blank book and you are ready to fill the pages. Now as an adult you are being told you must be born again. Nicodemus asked him, can a man enter into the womb and be born a second time?? Then Jesus said unless be born again a second time, by the Water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.  Romans 6 explains this so well.  Paul writing tells them in verse 4 that we are buried with him by and baptism and raised to walk in newness of Life.  Verse 6 tells us that in baptism we crucified the old man.  We have a new beginning to our lives.  The slate is washed cleaned, and we have a fresh start in the family of God.  Paul knew this as well anyone.  Paul had a new beginning.

    Paul, known previously as Saul, lived a life where he murdered and imprisoned Christian men and women.  But his life changed. After Paul’s baptism he went on to write the majority of the New Testament.  Paul had a new beginning, a fresh start.  What he had done before was no longer remembered, and when he messed up, when he sinned, he had an advocate with the Father like all Christian’s do.  (1 John 2:1) We are all going to make mistakes from time to time, but we have to strive to do our best and when we do, we can be forgiven of those mistakes. It is a new beginning full of Grace and Mercy, and Love, and Obedience to God.

    Anyone that has ever decided to serve God has had a new beginning, and the first step had to be made and that being willing to let the word of God mold us into what he wants us to be. We are clay and God is the potter, What kind of clay are we? Are we going to be hard clay that refuses a new beginning or are we going to be soft moldable clay that is shaped and can be used in the service of God and help others find their new beginning.