Are baptism and communion means of grace?

Are baptism and communion means of grace?: "Answer: Quite simply, baptism and communion are separate from grace and are not a means to it. It would be more proper to say the ordinances of the church are the signs of grace, not the means of grace.

Baptism is the outward expression of an inner change. It is an act of obedience after salvation has occurred. The examples of baptism in Scripture all show that baptism happened after the person was born again (e.g., Acts 8:26–39). Being immersed in water (or being sprinkled with water) cannot change a person’s heart; that is the Spirit’s work. “The Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6)."



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Question of the Week

Question of the Week: " The Olympics represent the pinnacle of athleticism, training, and competitiveness, going all the way back to ancient times. The apostle Paul used illustrations from the world of athletics in several of his letters. In three Epistles, he used the image of all-out racing to urge vigorous and lawful pursuit of spiritual growth and service. Four times Paul spoke of his own growth and service in terms of his own such race."



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Thrivent Declares It Won't Take Sides on Abortion, Gays, or Guns | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com

If you can't take sides against sin, what is the point of being a Christian group?



Thrivent Declares It Won't Take Sides on Abortion, Gays, or Guns | Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com: "Nearly two months after attempting to calm a controversy by suspending funds to both pro-life and pro-choice groups, a major Christian financial services organization has declared a neutral stance on social matters that "have the potential to distract" from its focus on Christian stewardship and generosity.
The first three? Abortion. Sexual orientation. Guns."



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Bible "Mistakes" & "Errors" - YouTube

Bible "Mistakes" & "Errors" - YouTube: ""



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The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Different Accounts?

The Comfort Zone: Words of Comfort: Different Accounts?: "Some skeptics claim that chapters 1 and 2 are contradictory. However, a close reading shows there is no contradiction. Genesis 1 gives the day-by-day account of the entire creation week, whereas Gen. 2 gives the details of man’s creation on the sixth day. "



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US Olympian slams ‘ridiculous’ gay luge ad - Crossmap Christian News | World

US Olympian slams ‘ridiculous’ gay luge ad - Crossmap Christian News | World: "SOCHI, February 11, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A member of the American luge team in Sochi is furious over an ad produced by a Canadian homosexual advocacy group, saying the attempt to portray doubles luging as sexually suggestive in order to promote "gay rights" is "ridiculous" and "sad.""



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John L. Allen, Jr., author of "The Global War on Christians,": Anti-Christian Violence Detailed in Hearing Calling for Filling of Religious Freedom Post - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries

John L. Allen, Jr., author of "The Global War on Christians,": Anti-Christian Violence Detailed in Hearing Calling for Filling of Religious Freedom Post - Crossmap Christian News | Church & Ministries: "The worst anti-Christian pogrom of the 21st century has come not from Islamic extremists but from Hindu nationalists in India, an expert told a hearing in which U.S. President Barack Obama was challenged to quickly fill a key religious freedom post."



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Study; Christians are the world's most persecuted religious group - Living Faith - Home & Family - Catholic Online

Study; Christians are the world's most persecuted religious group - Living Faith - Home & Family - Catholic Online: "religious group
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
2/10/2014
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Persecution against Christians reported in 110 countries


A new study by the Pew Research Center found that restrictions, harassment and intimidation towards people of faith increased in every major region of the world in 2012 with the exception of the Americas. Interestingly, the study found that Christians are more likely to be persecuted worldwide than any other religious group."



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Christianity in England is becoming an anachronism. Nearly half of Britons have no idea where to find story of Creation or Jesus! - International - Catholic Online

Christianity in England is becoming an anachronism. Nearly half of Britons have no idea where to find story of Creation or Jesus! - International - Catholic Online: "Goodbye Christianity, it was nice having you around, but it looks like the atheists have won. According to a report in the Daily Mail, a dwindling fraction of British children have any specific knowledge of the Bible and the Archbishop of Canterbury warns that the Church of England is now just a generation away from extinction."



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'LiveStrong' Christianity

'LiveStrong' Christianity: "A couple months back I wrote about Reader's Digest Christianity, and how it reduced the Christian faith to pithy, easily-achievable goals that ensure our personal improvement. Here, I have a different (though depressingly similar) target: "LiveStrong" Christianity. LiveStrong bracelets are today even more popular than the infamous WWJD bracelets were 10 years ago, despite the public fall from grace of their namesake, Lance Armstrong."



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