(Guest Writer - Garet Robinson, GA) What do you love about the Christmas holiday? Is it the host of aromas? The textures, sounds and tastes of the day itself? Or is it the deeply-engrained emotions that flavor your existence in between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day?

Of course, our answers are as varied as the ornaments on our Christmas trees (or Festivus poles). Our love for the holidays is as unique as we are, and that is perhaps what makes this time of the year so special. There is something special about the entire season that uniquely connects with each of us at an emotional and sensory place, and hopefully even a spiritual level. For me, however, the deepest and most meaningful part of the holiday celebration is the recurring Scriptural theme of hope.

Hope is one of defining themes of the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, we find from the outset of Genesis until the end of Malachi, the theme of hope being implicitly and explicitly played out. The hope in the coming Messianic deliverance is interwoven through every passage of the Old Testament. In the festivals (not to be confused with Festivus) and covenantal expressions, hope finds a significant and sacred place. It is the hope that God’s way is promised, anticipated, and delivered. In Genesis, for example, this theme of hope is initially explored: I wait for Your salvation, Lord. (Gen 49:18, HCSB) Again in the Psalms we see the idea of hope held closely to the heart of the authors: For You are my hope, Lord God, my confidence from my youth. (Psalms 71:5, HCSB) and I wait for the Lord; I wait, and put my hope in His word. (Psalms 130:5, HCSB.)

Then across the 400 years of silence before Christ is born, we find hope finally delivered. Suddenly, the hope of Israel is among us and accomplishing the work of God by the name, “Jesus Christ.” The arrival of Christ is that sweet celebration which we remember so well today. We have a terrific picture as painted by the Gospel’s authors about Christ’s arrival. The glory of Heaven arrived on earth.

That explains why you feel a suddenness when reading about the crucifixion—after only a mere thirty years of life, hope is taken away? But when it seemed hope was lost, the writers of the New Testament turn our pessimism around. Hope suddenly finds root in the resurrected Christ and His promised return. Paul points out clearly in Colossians, “for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. (1:4-6a, HCSB.) There is a hope that is wrapped into the very nature of the Gospel itself and that followers of Christ are to expectantly celebrate amongst themselves. Our hope in Christ moves from anticipating His arrival to expecting His renewal.

At the heart of hope in the New Testament is the belief that in our walk as followers of Christ we have a confidence that our salvation is sealed in Christ and we are awaiting the establishment of the heavenly Kingdom. We have hope that in Christ we can have a place for healing, guidance, and encouragement. More significantly, we hold the hope for a final home—the heavenly gift of our everlasting fellowship with God.

Hope is our expectant anticipation of Jesus Christ’s blessings and promise of eternal redemption. Hope is knowing that while we exist in this temporary country of the world there is a far country which our eternal citizenship keeps us pressing forward. Hope is what we share when we take the opportunity to tell others of that hope that is within according to 1 Peter 3:15. May we live as hopeful followers of Christ during this season of rejoicing.

Where else do we find the theme of hope in scripture?

What is the most meaningful theme in scripture to you? Why?

(Guest Writer – Todd Inserra, FL) As an infant I can remember the cool water tickling my cheeks as I was baptized into the Christian family and professed faith. Actually…wait…I can’t remember it. Even though I was "baptized" as an infant, I clearly couldn’t profess my faith, let alone remember doing so! If an infant profession of faith isn’t an misnomer, then I’m not sure what is. Then again, I wasn’t actually “dunked” into water at that age either. If I had been dunked, I am not sure I would even be sitting to writing this.

I was raised a Methodist so, of course, I was sprinkled with water as an infant—what Methodists call “baptism.” As I grew up and became more involved in God’s Word, I realized that nowhere in Scripture does God command the baptizing of infants. (Please forgive me, John Wesley.) In fact, God commands only the baptizing of those who profess faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Obviously we can’t hit on all of what Scripture has to say about baptism, but a quick reading of Acts 8 and one will realize the references to Philip getting baptized (as well as many others) and that he “went down into the water” and when he was finished, he “came up out of the water.” In fact, the word for baptism itself is one of the most revealing things about this discussion.

But in addition to the Greek, one must note the symbolism of baptism. I remember being biblically baptized in a freezing cold, alligator-infested lake. I was standing there waiting to be dunked, hoping that I would get baptized before I either starting showing symptoms of hypothermia or became lunch meat for an alligator. By the grace of God I made it! Being immersed into the water and brought back up symbolizing Jesus’ death and resurrection, rising into a new life through Him, was such a wonderful experience. Buried and raised with Christ! I could barely remember that I was freezing. My lips were blue, my skin was cold, and my teeth were chattering, but all I could think of was being baptized into the name of our Triune God. What an experience!

Let me make one thing clear—baptism is not essential for salvation. To believe that it is contradicts Paul’s teaching of salvation by grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8 and elsewhere. Yet, we must also realize that baptism is required by God and commanded by his Son, Jesus (see Matthew 28:19). Baptism is not essential, but it is required.

I was only recently truly, Biblically baptized. I always figured it could wait and really wasn’t that important. I could not have been more wrong! What was done improperly and without memory during my infancy was repeated correctly as an adult and I will never forget it as long as I live.

Do you think adult baptism is important, necessary, essential or superfluous?

What was your baptism experience like?

Christmas at the White House

One of the best things about being invited to a Christmas reception at the White House was going to Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Don't get me wrong. Getting a chance to go to the White House and walk around at my leisure was a distinct honor. But spending the weekend with Dr. Mark Dever affected me equally.

Dr. Dever is the picture of a New Testament pastor and has built a church that is a beaming example of a New Testament church. During the time I was at his home, over 20 young adults visited his home to ask questions about theology and the Bible. Dr. Dever has a heart to raise up a generation of believers who think deeply and minister meaningfully.

What do you think a perfectly New Testament church looks like? Before this weekend, I thought I had a good idea. Now, I definitely do.