Brotherly Fellowship and Baptism

As were meeting various Christian leaders introducing and distributing the ministry literature, especially, the Holy Bible Recovery Version, we also took time to visit some saints' family as a shepherding visit. One brother, who I have known since the time I was in college has been physically sick for decades now. I had a particular burden to visit him and his family. Though they have been struggling in many areas, the brother and his wife have been faithfully serving the Lord according to their capacity. Visiting and fellowshipping with them encouraged me inwardly. Despite their outward condition, they have been graced by the Lord to stand firm for the Lord’s testimony and also serve like full-timers. When meeting with such saints, I was convicted that with my situation I could have done much more. Even in outward poverty, they are rich in Christ. 

We also visited another brother and his wife, who were my training mate for a month or so while I was undergoing the full-time training more than two decades ago. He had arranged a meeting with his brothers' family whose two sons are Pastors. As they requested me to minister the word, I ministered my recent enjoyment of the word of God. The ministry of the word is the ministry of life from the minister being one with the ministry. There was a sweet ministering of life. One of the Pastors and his mother testified of how much they were supplied with the ministry of the word and confessed that it was the first time they heard such a ministry of the word. After prayer, they hosted us with my favorite "Kerala Beef Fried in Coconut Oil". It was an enjoyable time of brotherly fellowship and blending.

Today morning, the Lord brought one new contact who purchased the ministry books first from a Christian bookstore, then, online. As we spoke to him, it became clear that he wasn't baptised yet. He just came to the faith about a year ago, but had no solid foundation in the word. But he, being a book lover, liked to read all kinds of books. His love for books led him to the ministry literature. 

Therefore, I preached the gospel of Jesus Christ beginning from God's plan till Christ's redemption and led him to the Lord in a fresh way again. Further, to give him the complete gospel, I led him to read all the key Bible verses concerning the seven spiritual significances of baptism. After ministering the word, he, out of his own willingness and choice, exercising his free will in obedience to the sovereign word of God, decided to get baptised. 

The local brothers had their fellowship and made everything ready for baptism. So, we all went to a nearby river and baptised this new brother. I did not baptise it myself, but let the local brothers do. 

The local saints were very encouraged at what the Lord was doing in their local church. Though we came mainly for the ministry distribution, the Lord also opened the door for gospel preaching, saving soul, and fellowship with them.

Besides, on the request of the brothers, I also shared briefly in their small group meeting on loving the Lord, in line with the experience of breaking the outer man, the Lord’s discipline in love reciprocating with our love for the Lord.

May the Lord continue to bless His move in Marthandam and the nearby localities.