1 Peter 3:21

...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

From Background Notes [BN] for July 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The truth of the matter is that baptism depicts two distinct realities: something is plunged to its death while something else rises in new life.

Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Considering the real-world crises experienced at that time, the place of baptism as a public statement for new Christians, it’s likely that taking a public stand through this ritual gave many of them pause.

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

From Background Notes [BN] for June 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Repentance is the effective corrective to what we sometimes call “easy believism,” that turns a blind eye to the sinfulness of sin and the evil of fallen human nature.

2 Corinthians 7:10

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death

From Background Notes [BN] for June 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

One common question raised about repentance is whether it is a kind of work that detracts from the purity of faith? Does it supplement grace? Biblical texts say it is not.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death...

From Background Notes [BN] for June 25th & 26th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Our first study in this series began with a wide-angled perspective of Hebrews 5:11-6:12, the guiding text for “setting sail.”

Hebrews 6:11-12

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 18th & 19th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Faced by the challenges to their faith in the first century, some followers of Jesus incrementally slipped away from their first commitments to the Gospel.

Hebrews 10:26-27

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 18th & 19th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

As any “old salt” will tell us, the sea voyage has its defining moments when “turning back” is no longer an option, and where the point of no return requires resolve without hesitation.

Isaiah 52:13

See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Our prayer for new graduates is that they might make room for a new vision of God that moves them beyond their present understanding of Him. He is high and holy, and...

Isaiah 6:1-2a

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings:

From Background Notes [BN] for June 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

God is the heavenly king, and in fact, there is no other king worth acknowledging.

2 Chronicles 26:1

Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 11th & 12th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Uzziah’s pride led to his downfall. He entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 33:13

And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

What the writer of 2 Kings offered was a time-slice of Manasseh’s personal history that had not fully run its course in the whole history of Israel’s coming future. God was not done with His evaluation of Manasseh or with Israel, and...

2 Kings 21:1-2

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

From Background Notes [BN] for June 4th & 5th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When kings suffer heart failure, the results are catastrophic, and...