The Glorious Feast of the Theopany

The Glorious Feast of the Theophany

On Saturday the 19^th January the Church will celebrate the Glorious Feast of the Theophany. We renew the Covenant of Baptism, remembering that the baptismal font is both the womb (where we are born by water and spirit) and tomb (where we die to sin and are made alive to God).

What is the Impact of Baptism?

1. In Baptism ……………. I receive Salvation.
   “He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16). Salvation is liberation from Satan and from the wages of sin which is death and from the punishment of sin which is eternal condemnation.
2. In Baptism ……………. I receive my Second Birth.
   “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).
3. In Baptism ……………. I receive Washing Away of Sins.
   “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16).
   
   “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 Corinthians 6:11).
4. In Baptism ………………………………………. I obtain Forgiveness of My Sins.
   “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every on of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:37-38).
5. In Baptism ………………………………………. I put on Christ.
   “For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27). “Put on

The Lord Jesus Christ and make no provsion for the flesh to fulfil its lust. (Romans 13:14).

6. In Baptism ………………………………………. I become A Living Member of the Church.
   “Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
7. In Baptism ………………………………………. I have Newness of Life.
   “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).
8. In Baptism ………………………………………. I become a New Creation.
   In Genesis 1:2-3, the Bible says, “The earth was without form, and void, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Then God started His new creation through the water and the Spirit beginning with the light. This is exactly what happened with us. After the fall of man, his life became void and the darkness of sin prevailed upon his heart, mind and conscience. Then God had to recreate him through the work of the Holy Spirit in the baptism. He gave him a new life, a new nature and made his heart a Paradise where He found His rest that He can say, “I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse.” (Song of Songs 5:1). This is clear fulfilment to what St. Paul has said, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Please remember us in your prayers.
In Christ

COYA Servants

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