For God’s family
The Yembiyembi people are learning more about their marvelous Savior as they study the book of Acts.
Missionary Tim Shontere has recorded some spontaneous quotes as the people discover new depths in their journey with Christ.
One man reminded the group, “When we partake of communion, it’s a time to say thank you to Jesus for what he did for us. We don’t do this observance as a ritual so that God will like us, and maybe we can get to Heaven or something. No! We [believers] are already going to Heaven when we die … It’s a family activity for God’s family.”
When discussing salvation by faith alone, one of the men in teacher training said, “Think about Jesus and the thief on the cross. When that one thief believed in Jesus, did Jesus say, ‘That’s nice, but you need to get off the cross first, be baptized in water and then be crucified with me, then you can go to Heaven.’ Did Jesus say that? No. No. No. Please, think, in the next verse Jesus said, ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Where was his water baptism? Water baptism is a sign of what took place up here [pointing to his head] in your thinking. We need to believe first that Jesus paid for your sin, then be baptized, otherwise, you are just getting wet.”
Another Bible teacher said as the group studied Cornelius in the book of Acts, “Man’s thinking always messes up how God orders things. Think about it. People think that water baptism gives them the Holy Spirit. But no, God’s Spirit comes into people when they believe in the Bridge Man, Jesus, to buy their sin debt! When did the Holy Spirit come on those with Cornelius? When they believed, then they were baptized by water!”
Praise God for the growth and understanding among the Yembiyembi believers. Pray for Tim as he disciples and shepherds the new believers.