Remembering The Future

REMEMBERING THE FUTURE

 

Tiberias Cylinder – remembering the future.

 

   This is fiction and the names and places are used fictitiously.  The people and events are "real" to the author.   

   Writers reach into the depths of their psyche to speak of a reality by which to communicate an idea.   What would the "Church of Christ" look like in a different setting?  Say, a Space City of half a million people?  People are still people everywhere.  Problems and situations occur over and over again.  We are hard-wired by our culture and experience.  We react to life and act out our faith and hope.  Look with me.  Rhoderick D. Ice    All rights reserved  © 1999

http://tiberiascylinder.blogspot.com/

 

 

SOMEWHERE IN THE FUTURE     

Rhoderick D. Ice ©

 

 

VISITORS FROM EARTH  chapter 1

  

   People streamed out of the large Church on the edge of Nashville.  The morning worship was over and people were going to their cars.  One of the church-elders hurried to catch up with a worshiper.

 

   "Carl!  Carl Sandor!  Wait up!  I want to talk with you!"

 

   Carl stopped and turned.  "Brother Steadman, what can I do for you?"

 

   "Come into the office a moment."  When they were comfortably seated, Everett Steadman spoke.

 

   "Carl, we elders have talked this over, and we think you are the man we need.  How would you feel about leading a group to visit Tiberias Cylinder?"

 

   "Tiberias Cylinder?  One of those cities out in space?"

 

   "Let me refresh your memory.  Back in 1991, a magazine of space exploration, Final Frontier, ran an article about using abandoned fuel cylinders from the Shuttle Missions as 'homesteads in space.'  This idea has now produced a number of Cylinders - huge steel and alloy 'cans' that hold an entire city.  Tiberias Cylinder is the equivalent of Manhattan in New York City - it is home to half a million people.  Some of our relatives live there.  And we have a Church meeting there, with several thousand members.  We need personal contact with them and a report on what they are doing.  We have helped to fund this work and we are interested in their progress.  We want you to choose nine others and go to Tiberias, give them our greetings, stay a month or so, and come back to tell us what good things they are doing.  What do you think?"

 

   "Well, this is a surprise.  I'll have to talk with my wife.  She couldn't go, of course, what with the children in school.  But I'll give it some thought.  My cousin, Eddie, would jump at such a chance.  How soon would you need to know?"

 

   "Take your time.  It would be the first of the month."

 

   "Thank you for this opportunity.  I will certainly get back to you.” shortly."

 

   They shook hands and went toward the parking lot.

 

 

 

   ARRIVAL ON TIBERIAS  chapter 2

 

   It seemed only a short time since we had left the spaceport.

 

   The intercom beeped.  "This is Captain Stevens speaking.  We dock at Tiberias Cylinder at 1000 hours.  Prepared to debark.  Our stopover will be one solar day."

 

   We hurried to gather our carry-on things.  Thanks to disposable paper clothing and personal items, plus the miracle of recycling, we are able to travel very minimally.  What baggage we had would be off-loaded by the ship's personnel.  We are a group of ten from Earth, going to Tiberias Cylinder, to visit relatives and friends.  My name is Carl Sandor.  I am writing this report to tell you about Tiberias and our experiences there.

 

   The docking signal sounded.  We picked up our carry-on things, stepped into the airlock, and waited for it to cycle.  Then we walked through into Customs.

 

   "Look into the opticon eye-identifier."

 

   A senior citizen, very military in appearance, was sitting at the desk.   As we each stared into the opticon, he read the view screen to check our names and destination.  He gave us temporary resident cards and breathings permits. 

 

   "Enjoy your stay," he said, and waved us on.

 

 

   We stepped through the doorway into Tiberias City.  It took our breath away.  Green things everywhere!  Plants and flowers and potted trees and bushes and vines climbing all over.  The artificial sunlight filtered through fresh green masses of vegetation tumbling from huge hanging baskets, tiers and balconies.

 

   "Eddie!  Just look at all these green things!  These must be air purifiers!  It's part of the ecology here!"

 

   "Yeah!' said Eddie.  "Ain't this all impressive!"

 

   "Back on Earth we don't even give it a thought.  But out here they would have to use every available inch of space to work for the common good.  I'll bet everything out here is like that."

 

   "And I can feel currents of air, a steady breeze.  That must be from the Recirculators.  The green is essential, but Atmospheric Recirculators would have to do their part too.  This is a closed system of ecology."

 

   "Yeah!"

  

   We stood at the edge of a broad street that seemed to be the floor of a deep slot.  Shops and buildings formed its walls.  Some of the angles didn't seem just right.  And we could not see very far because of the curvature.  There were people everywhere!  Just like a shopping mall at Christmas time.  I couldn't believe the crowds!

 

   “Look at all the people!” said Eddie.  “And what a variety of people!  There’s one dressed in an all white Punjab costume.” 

 

   I could see a girl with rings in her nose and ears.  Some seemed to have their faces painted in some kind of secret code to identify them.  We have ethnic minorities in Nashville, but this was amazing for us.  We felt out of place in our "suit and tie" clothes.

 

   We were afraid we would get lost in the crowds.  So we waited patiently for a short time (I looked at my watch).

 

   "Over there," said Fred.  "I think I see a man working his way through the crowd."

 

   An older man, huge, in his late 60's, approached from the right.

  

   "Saluton!  You must be the group from Earth.  I'm Rod Glacio, one of the Church elders."

 

   He gave each of us a big hug.  "Welcome to Tiberias!  We praise God for you brothers and sisters in Christ!" 

 

 

That Corinthian Church

Wisdom From The Holy Spirit - the Corinthian Church

 

You’ll remember, friends, when I, Paul,

came to you to speak of God’s triumph

in Jesus Christ - Crucified, Risen, Coming again!

Not with polished speeches, nor the latest

philosophies.  I kept it simple.

But God’s Message came through anyway!

God’s Holy Spirit and God’s power

did it and made clear that your life of faith

is the response to God’s power.

You’ve seen and heard because God

by His Holy Spirit has brought it all out

into the open before you all.

Because of Christ-on-the-Cross,

we now become free people.

 

      1. Paul's style of preaching.  1 Cor. 2:1-5.

        a. Paul's enemies accused him being weak and trembling.  His opposition said: "For his letters, they say, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible" (2 Cor. 10:10).  Paul replied: "Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present."

        Note: because Paul did write, he still speaks to us and has spoken to countless millions of people down through the ages.  He will continue to speak as long as the world stands.

        Paul was a true Gospel preacher. He tried to “be all things to all men that he might by all means save some.”  He did not have the eloquence of Apollos (Acts 18:24-28).  He was not a "hell-fire-and-brimstone" type of preacher.  Note Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill in Acts 17. 

        b. Did he feel weak and trembling? Note Romans 1:16-17.        "I am not ashamed of the gospel."  Paul is saying that he has complete confidence and trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  No weakness or trembling where the Christ of the Gospel is concerned.

        c. Paul did speak with authority.  1 Cor. 5:3-5.  "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ...”    And: "Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction" (2 Cor. 13:10).

        d. Why he chose this style.  verse 4-5.  To put Christ first.  Not with eloquent words of human excellence.  But with convincing proof of the power of God's Holy Spirit.

        e. The Holy Spirit's power.  verse 4-5.  Compare 1 Thess. 1:4-6; Acts 13:52.  "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

 

      2. Look for God's wisdom.  God reveals His wisdom to us.  Read 1 Cor. 2:6-10.  Compare James 3:17-18.

        a. Paul shows that God's wisdom is not something we discover on our own.  God chooses to reveal Himself to us.   

        b. The rulers did not know this mystery, or they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. 

        c. God's mystery now revealed in Christ is what no one ever thought or imagined.  God's Plan to save the world in Christ.  The future which God has prepared for us.  The quotation is based on Isaiah 64:4; 65:17.

 

      3. The Holy Spirit links our minds with God.  1 Cor. 2:10-16.  Compare Romans 15:4; 1 John 4:1-11.

        a. God revealed these things through His Holy Spirit.  Note 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matt. 11:25-30.

        b. There is a difference between the spiritual man and the natural man.  1 Cor. 2:10.  The spiritual man stands on a "higher plain" and is able to see with the eye of faith.

        c. We have the mind of Christ.  1 Cor 2:13-15.  "Whoever does not have the Holy Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Holy Spirit.  Such a person really does not understand them, they are nonsense to him, because their value can only be judged on a spiritual basis.  Whoever has the Holy Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him."

        d. Paul again quotes Isaiah 40:13 in 1 Cor 2:16.  Note Romans 11:33-36.

PREACHING CHRIST

Preaching Christ in the Book of Acts

    God Himself wants everyone to come to Him and be saved!

    Paul wrote: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”  2 Cor 5:17-19

    “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”  1 Cor 6:11

    “God has made Christians holy by the work of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:11; 2 Thes 2:13), and they are therefore called to live as His own holy people (1 Cor 1:2). God has given them everything they need to live a holy life in this world (2 Pet 1:3-4). As a result, their way of life is to be distinctly different from that of the unholy world around them. Every part of their life is to reflect the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (Rom 12:2).”—NLT Study Bible

 

1. Peter proclaimed God’s Salvation.

    “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:” Acts 2:14-16

    “And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

    “Acts 2:14-36 This is the first of about thirty speeches in Acts and one of the most important, standing as it does at the very inception of the church. It is a typical example of the preaching of the apostles, who proclaimed (1) that the OT promises had been fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the promised Messiah; (2) that the apostles themselves were eyewitnesses of Jesus' entire public ministry and were his chosen representatives; (3) that people are called to repent of their sins and have faith in God through Christ; and (4) that salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit are promised to those who respond affirmatively to this message of Good News. This basic message is echoed in the sermons of chs 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 13. The same themes characterized Paul's preaching (see 1 Cor 15:3-9). This message was repeatedly preached to both Jews and Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean world; all people are summoned to repent of their sins and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ.”  —NLT Study Bible

 

2. The Last Days began at Pentecost.

    Joel said: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.  And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18

    "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”  Acts 2:22-24

    While cruel men had crucified Jesus, this action had not defeated God's prearranged plan for salvation.  In fact, God raised Him back to life, which David had foretold.  These are facts – things that really happened.  Christians “show forth the Lord’s death till He Comes.”

    “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32-33

    “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."  Acts 5:30-32   

    “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39

    “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:46-47

 

JESUS - Son of Man, Son of God

JESUS - Son of Man, Son of God!

    1. The Book of Revelation shows God is the Power and He loves all people with a tough love.  The Eternal Word came among us to give Life and Forgiveness.

    "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14 

    "But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!" Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matt 26:63-64

 

    2. Born of a woman.

    "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

    "Beyond destruction there is hope. In the Messiah's kingdom, the darkness would give way to great light, which was to dawn in Galilee and reach the whole nation, and then the whole world. The Messiah's rule would be marked by the vindication of the oppressed and the end of all oppression. He would bring justice and righteousness forever in a kingdom of peace."—NLT Study Bible

 

    2. Behold your God!

    "O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"  Isaiah 40:9

    "O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem: God is coming to save and restore human beings. The Lord's rule is not like that of the unjust and powerless rulers whom he will judge. It is compassionate, just, righteous, and powerful. With a powerful arm: God manifested his power in events such as the defeat of the Egyptians and the rescue of his people."  —NLT Study Bible

 

    3. Raised up from the dead!

    "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  John 1:29

    "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name."  Romans 1:1-5 (NLT)

    "Righteous people. The phrase makes us right comes from the law court. It does not mean "makes us good people"; it means "puts us in right standing before God." "It is through faith that a righteous person has life" (or "The righteous will live by faith" Hab 2:4): The prophet Habakkuk had struggled to understand how God could use pagan nations to judge his own people Israel. God reminded Habakkuk that his true people—the righteous—need to live by faith. In Romans chs 1-4, Paul repeatedly insists that only through faith can human beings be made right in God's sight."—NLT Study Bible

 

    4. The Living Savior!

    "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."  Rev 1:18

In The beginning

In The Beginning God Created.

    [Through other eyes.  I have been reading Genesis in a comic book form.  The illustrator is respectful, accurate, and honors the truth.  We tend to ‘sanitize’ the Scriptures and ignore the actions of real people doing real things in often lurid ways.  God love His Creation – but with a tough love.  We are being given a knowledge of both good and evil.  But God is God!]

   "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light."  Gen 1:1-3

   "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements?  Surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  To what were its foundations fastened?  Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  Job 38:4-7

   "For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain'; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right."  Isaiah 45:18-19

   "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."  Gen 1:26-28

    "Finally, God created people.  He created them in His image, male and female.  What does this mean?  God created them mischief-makers, who cannot leave well enough alone.  Who are restless, on the move, who pursue and are pursued.  Creatures never satisfied, born to create something new, and who plan and build and paint and weave and cook and carve and hunt and fish and play.  And scheme.  ("Man schemes, God laughs.")  People who are filled with fierce desires.  But people who can and will respond to God."  Gali

    Jesus is the Eternal Word.

    "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor." Psalms 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:6-9

    "For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  2 Peter 1:16-17

    "What we do see is Jesus: How can the church persevere when evil and death are still in the world? We look to Jesus both in his human life in a position "a little lower than the angels" and in his exaltation, now "crowned with glory and honor." His suffering as a human being led to his exaltation (see Phil 2:5-11; cp. Isa 52:13- 53:12). See also Hebrews 12:1-13; 2:10-18 At least four reasons why the Son of God became human are implied in this passage. First, it was only right: It is consistent with what we know of God's character that he would accomplish salvation in this way (2:10). Second, Jesus had to become human to die (2:14). Third, high priests, as detailed in the OT law, had to come from among God's people (2:17). Fourth, Jesus became a sympathetic priest, experiencing the suffering and testing we know as humans (2:18)."  —NLT Study Bible

    As Creator, God is working and sorting in His World.

    "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' " Matt 13:29-30

    "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."  Rev 4:11

    "Rev 4:1-11 The description of God's throne room stretches the imagination. It builds on the visions of Isa 6:1-4, Ezek 1:4-28, and Dan 7:9-10, where God is seen enthroned in power and majesty. God's throne dominates Revelation, and the worship in the rest of the book flows from this scene. God's magnificence, grace, and glory are fundamental to the church's worship."  NLT Study Bible

Faith, Hope, Charity

God’s Surprises - Faith, Hope, Charity

"But the battle between the Church and the Devil is not determined on earth. It has already been settled in heaven. The Ascension of Christ meant the downfall of Satan, and every act of Christian sacrifice confirms it. Now, according to John’s picture, having been driven from the presence of God, the Devil becomes the enemy of all who seek to do God’s will, using every weapon he can find to defeat the purpose of the Creator, (Revelation 12:1-17)." Neil

1. A living hope!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

"To reach the joy and blessing of eternal life in Christ, we first experience the sadness of the passing world, along with the afflictions we must face here (James 1:1-12). To the watching world the perseverance of the faithful during afflictions appears foolish and even contemptible. But Peter shows that faith under trial is precious indeed, bearing more glory and honor as it continues to stand under trial." Wallerstedt


2. God is working His Vision of the Ages.

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself." Psalms 76:10

"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Romans 9:17

"Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them." Rev 11:11-12

3. Faith, Hope, Love

Hope is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It’s a miracle of renewal that never lets us down. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ Romans 5:5

Paul tells us that hope has a name. Hope is Christ.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Does this make it too easy? Think of the price which Christ paid to save us. God Himself did what we could not do.

"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:3-4

And referring to the virtues of faith, hope and charity (love).

Often the virtue of hope is seen as the most humble of the three, because it is hidden in life. You can see faith and you can feel it, you know what it is. And charity too – we know what that is. But what is hope? What is this attitude of hope? First of all we can say it is a risk, a risky virtue – as Paul says: it is a virtue of ardent expectation for the Revelation of Christ Coming Again. "It is not an illusion".

Jesus, The Hope, renews everything.

"...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." 2 Tim 1:9-11

So hope is a constant miracle. The miracle of what He’s doing in the Church. The miracle of making everything new: of what He does in my life, in your life, in our life. He builds and He rebuilds. And that is precisely the reason of our hope. Christ is the one who renews every wonderful thing of the Creation; He's the reason of our hope. And this hope does not delude because He is faithful. He can't renounce Himself. This is the virtue of hope.

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." 2 Tim 1:12-14

BAPTISM AND HOPE

Our baptism gives us a new and glorious hope


The Lord’s church at Corinth was living and active even though they struggled with problems. They had been buried with Christ in baptism - purified, dedicated to God, put right with God.

"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Cor 1:4-9

The Church herself is a "Sacrament" - a grace-filled sign which makes Christ’s saving work present in history, through the power of the Holy Spirit. [Paul uses the word mystery to speak of the reality of the presence of the Kingdom itself, revealed in Christ Jesus, and perceived by faith. Jesus said: "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables." Mark 4:11]

1. New birth - born from above.

"Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:5-6

Baptism is our faith in action. Baptism gives us new birth in Christ, makes us sharers in the mystery of His death and resurrection, grants the forgiveness of sin and brings us new freedom as God’s children and members of His Church".

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

2. New in Christ.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2 Cor 5:17

"Since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with Him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and He will never die again. Death no longer has any power over Him. When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus." Romans 6:5-11 (NLT)

Our baptism has changed us, given us a new and glorious hope, and empowered us to bring God’s redeeming love to all, particularly the poor, in whom we see the face of Christ. Our baptism has also given us a share in the Church’s mission of evangelization; as disciples, we are also missionaries.

3. Temples of the Holy Spirit.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20

We have all become new creatures in Christ, temples of the Spirit, adopted children of the Father, members of the Church, brothers & sisters in faith and announcers of the Gospel, capable of forgiving and loving all, even our enemies. Let us ask Him to renew in us the grace of our Baptism and to make us, with all our brothers and sisters, true children of God and living members of His body, the Church.

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3

"And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:11-13