Robert Jeffress - Developing A Regenerate Heart (Part 2)

August 26, 2025 | S25 E409 | 29:0

Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Developing A Regenerate Heart (Part 2) | August 26, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • The bible says, even when we were dead in our sins,
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  • God made us alive together with christ.
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  • And such a radical inward transformation,
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  • Calls from an outward expression as well.
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  • Today i'm going to show you
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  • What the bible teaches about baptism.
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  • If you're a christian but you've never been baptized
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  • Or you wonder
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  • Whether your baptism many years ago still counts,
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  • You'll want to stay tuned for this message today.
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  • My message is titled, developing a regenerate heart
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • ♪ lord, i will lift ♪
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  • ♪ my eyes to the hills ♪
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  • ♪ knowing my help ♪
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  • ♪ is coming from you ♪
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  • ♪ your peace, ♪
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  • ♪ you give me ♪
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  • ♪ in time of the storm ♪
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  • ♪ you are the source of my strength ♪
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  • ♪ you are the strength of my life ♪
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  • ♪ i lift my hands in total praise to you ♪
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  • ♪ amen, ♪
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  • ♪ amen ♪
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  • ♪ amen, ♪
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  • ♪ amen ♪
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • (congregation applauding)
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  • Give your heart the encouragement it needs,
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  • Start and end each day meditating on god's word
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  • With encouragement for the heart of a disciple.
  • 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:05.835
  • This brand new, beautiful,
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  • Full color patterned hardcover book by dr. robert jeffress,
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  • Features 80 breathtaking images of creation,
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  • Paired with scripture, prayers and insights,
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  • You can read in under two minutes.
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  • Perfect for your coffee table
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  • Or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one.
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  • Request encouragement for the heart of a disciple
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  • When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • The people wanted to know,
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  • Peter, what does god want us to do?
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  • And peter answered correctly, he wants you to repent,
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  • To believe and be baptized.
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  • That's god's plan for every follower of christ,
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  • To be baptized.
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  • If he had just answered the question,
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  • All god wants of you is to believe,
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  • That he would've been wrong,
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  • Because god wants every follower to believe and be baptized.
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  • Now listen to this and never forget it.
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  • You can be saved without being baptized.
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  • You cannot be a disciple without being baptized.
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  • You can be saved without being baptized,
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  • But you can never be a disciple without being baptized.
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  • That is god's plan.
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  • Believe and be baptized.
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  • Acts 9:18, after paul was saved, notice what happened
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  • "and immediately there fell from his eyes,
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  • Something like scales.
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  • He regained his sight, he arose and he was baptized"
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  • Or acts 10, cornelius, the roman centurion,
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  • After he believed, look at verse 47 of acts 10.
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  • "surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized
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  • Who have received the holy spirit just as we did can he?"
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  • And he ordered them to be baptized
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  • In the name of the lord jesus christ.
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  • Acts 16:15, we don't have time to look at it,
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  • But lydia, the businesswoman
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  • And philippi, when she was saved, she was baptized.
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  • And then in acts 16, i talked about the philippian jailer.
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  • What shall i do to be saved?
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  • Paul, believe on the lord jesus christ
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  • And you will be saved.
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  • Look at verse 33.
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  • And he took them that very hour of the night,
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  • That is the jailer,
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  • And wash their wounds
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  • And immediately the jailer was baptized,
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  • He and his household.
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  • Notice that word immediately,
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  • As soon as the jailer believed he was baptized,
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  • He didn't enroll in a six month course
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  • To learn what baptism meant.
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  • He didn't wait for two years to see if it was real or not.
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  • The bible says, the moment you are saved
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  • Is when you ought to be baptized.
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  • Believe and be baptized.
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  • That is god's command.
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  • Matthew 28:19. the bible says,
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  • "go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
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  • Baptizing them in the name of the father and son
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  • And the holy spirit."
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  • What is the model of baptism?
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  • Belief followed by baptism.
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  • Now, you know when i am talking
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  • To people about baptism,
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  • Especially if i am talking to a child,
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  • I often use the illustration of a wedding ring
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  • And i'll say, what does this ring mean?
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  • Do you know what this ring means?
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  • And they say, oh, it means you're married.
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  • I said, that's right.
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  • This ring is a sign that i belong to somebody else.
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  • When people look and they see this ring on my finger,
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  • They say, well, dr. jeffress belongs to somebody.
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  • He's married.
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  • And i say, now, could i be married without this ring?
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  • Of course i could.
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  • It's not the ring that makes me married.
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  • It's the commitment that i've made in my heart to my wife.
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  • This ring is a symbol, i could be married without it.
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  • In fact, i'm grateful i could
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  • Because i've lost this ring three times.
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  • This is number four, i think of my wedding rings
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  • And so forth.
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  • The ring is a symbol,
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  • It's a sign of a commitment i've made in my life.
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  • And then i'll take the ring
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  • And i'll ask the child to put their finger out
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  • And i'll put this ring on them and i'll say, now,
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  • Does this ring on your finger mean you're married?
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  • And they'll giggle and they'll say,
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  • Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
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  • I say, right.
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  • This ring doesn't mean anything
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  • If you haven't made a commitment in your heart
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  • To another person.
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  • Now it's the same way with baptism.
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  • Baptism is like this ring.
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  • When people see you baptized,
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  • They know you belong to jesus christ.
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  • But if you haven't made that commitment in your own heart,
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  • Then baptism is meaningless.
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  • It is absolutely nothing more than getting wet.
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  • And that's why the bible says the pattern is always believe
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  • And then be baptized.
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  • Now we've talked about the model of baptism.
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  • Let's talk about for a moment the mode of baptism.
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  • And that's the question you probably wondered about,
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  • Or had people ask you about.
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  • Now when i get baptized, should i be sprinkled
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  • Or should i be immersed?
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  • What is the proper way to be baptized?
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  • Did you know there's not even
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  • A debate about that among any serious student of scripture?
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  • There's no debate about it whatsoever.
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  • First of all,
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  • Just looking at the scripture itself, the examples,
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  • Everybody in the new testament
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  • Who was baptized was immersed.
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  • You can't find one example anywhere
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  • Of anybody being sprinkled in the new testament.
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  • Baptism by example was immersion.
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  • For example, in matthew 3:16,
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  • It says, "after being baptized,
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  • Jesus came immediately from,"
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  • Literally out of the water,
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  • Or go back to the ethiopian eunuch in act 8:37,
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  • And philip said, "if you believe with all of your heart,
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  • You may be baptized.
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  • And the eunuch said,
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  • I believe that jesus christ is the son of god.
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  • And he ordered the chariot to stop."
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  • And they both went down into the water.
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  • Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
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  • And when they came up out of the water,
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  • The spirit of the lord snatched philip away.
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  • Every example in the bible i could go at, on and on and on,
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  • Is about people going down into the water
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  • And coming up out of the water.
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  • So, the biblical examples are always by immersion,
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  • But there's even a stronger argument for it.
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  • The meaning of the word baptism itself.
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  • The greek word baptizo means one thing and only one thing,
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  • And that is immersed.
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  • Let me illustrate it for you this way.
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  • Suppose i were to ask you,
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  • How would you like your baked fish cooked?
  • 00:10:46.502 --> 00:10:49.572
  • (audience laughing)
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  • Would you like it baked or fried?
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  • -amen. -(congregation laughing)
  • 00:10:52.308 --> 00:10:55.444
  • Pastor, that's a stupid question.
  • 00:10:55.444 --> 00:10:57.346
  • Baked fish means baked.
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  • That's right.
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  • That's all it means.
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  • You can't fry baked fish.
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  • It's either baked or it's fried, but it can't be both.
  • 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:07.456
  • The same thing is true with the word baptize.
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  • When you say, well, should you baptize
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  • By sprinkling or immersion?
  • 00:11:12.428 --> 00:11:14.530
  • No, the word itself means to immerse.
  • 00:11:14.530 --> 00:11:17.299
  • I have in my study a book,
  • 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:19.769
  • A hundred uses of the word baptizo in greek literature.
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  • And when you look outside the bible
  • 00:11:24.607 --> 00:11:26.475
  • And look at the word baptizo,
  • 00:11:26.475 --> 00:11:28.210
  • It means one thing and only one thing, to immerse.
  • 00:11:28.210 --> 00:11:32.081
  • The original word was used to describe the process
  • 00:11:32.081 --> 00:11:34.950
  • By which you would change the color of a piece of cloth.
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  • Let's say you had a green handkerchief,
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  • And you wanted to change it to a purple handkerchief,
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  • What would you do?
  • 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:45.561
  • Well, you would take a vat of purple dye,
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  • You would take that green handkerchief
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  • And you would baptizo it, the greek said,
  • 00:11:51.467 --> 00:11:54.770
  • You would immerse it in the vat of purple dye
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  • In order to completely change the color.
  • 00:11:58.541 --> 00:12:01.377
  • Now, if you wanted to change that color
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  • From green to purple,
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  • You couldn't sprinkle the purple dye on it,
  • 00:12:05.481 --> 00:12:08.584
  • That wouldn't do the trick.
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  • You had to baptizo it.
  • 00:12:09.852 --> 00:12:11.987
  • So, it, now that is the word
  • 00:12:11.987 --> 00:12:13.255
  • That is used in the greek new testament.
  • 00:12:13.255 --> 00:12:15.291
  • It means one thing and one thing only,
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  • And that is to immerse.
  • 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:20.162
  • There is no such thing as baptism by sprinkling.
  • 00:12:20.162 --> 00:12:23.899
  • That's an oxymoron, it doesn't happen.
  • 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:26.202
  • The only way to be baptized is to be baptized,
  • 00:12:26.202 --> 00:12:29.638
  • And that is to be immersed.
  • 00:12:29.638 --> 00:12:31.073
  • You say, well, what difference does it make?
  • 00:12:31.073 --> 00:12:33.542
  • Well, beyond the biblical examples,
  • 00:12:33.542 --> 00:12:36.946
  • The meaning of baptism is what argues for immersion.
  • 00:12:36.946 --> 00:12:41.684
  • The meaning of baptism.
  • 00:12:41.684 --> 00:12:43.652
  • I want to talk about that for just a moment.
  • 00:12:43.652 --> 00:12:45.621
  • Turn over to romans 6, for a moment,
  • 00:12:45.621 --> 00:12:48.591
  • And let's look at what water baptism actually symbolizes.
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  • In romans 6, paul was answering a question,
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  • I bet you've heard asked a dozen times.
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  • Can somebody,
  • 00:12:59.602 --> 00:13:02.538
  • Continue to be a christian
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  • And still blank?
  • 00:13:06.408 --> 00:13:10.346
  • You can fill in the blank.
  • 00:13:10.913 --> 00:13:12.414
  • Can somebody be a christian and still commit adultery?
  • 00:13:12.414 --> 00:13:15.751
  • Can somebody be a christian
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  • And continue in a homosexual relationship?
  • 00:13:18.721 --> 00:13:22.324
  • Can somebody continue to be a christian
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  • And continue his addiction to this or that or so forth?
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  • Can you continue to be a christian
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  • And continue to sin?
  • 00:13:33.736 --> 00:13:36.171
  • That's the wrong question paul says.
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  • The real question should be,
  • 00:13:39.909 --> 00:13:42.011
  • If you're really a christian,
  • 00:13:42.011 --> 00:13:43.913
  • Why would you want to continue in sin?
  • 00:13:43.913 --> 00:13:46.448
  • Amen.
  • 00:13:46.448 --> 00:13:47.950
  • I mean, if you have really experienced a change of life
  • 00:13:47.950 --> 00:13:51.053
  • And you've been introduced to a whole new way of living,
  • 00:13:51.053 --> 00:13:53.555
  • Why would you ever want to go back
  • 00:13:53.555 --> 00:13:55.824
  • To that old way of living?
  • 00:13:55.824 --> 00:13:57.760
  • And that's what paul says in verses one to three
  • 00:13:57.760 --> 00:13:59.728
  • Of romans six, "what shall we say then?
  • 00:13:59.728 --> 00:14:02.398
  • Should we continue and sin that grace might increase?
  • 00:14:02.398 --> 00:14:06.001
  • May it never be.
  • 00:14:06.001 --> 00:14:07.670
  • How should we who died to sin still live in it?
  • 00:14:07.670 --> 00:14:13.008
  • Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized
  • 00:14:14.143 --> 00:14:16.011
  • Into christ jesus have been baptized into his death?
  • 00:14:16.011 --> 00:14:20.616
  • How can we who've died to sin still live in it?"
  • 00:14:20.616 --> 00:14:24.486
  • You know, just imagine for a moment that,
  • 00:14:25.354 --> 00:14:28.090
  • Lazarus after being in that stinking tomb for four days,
  • 00:14:29.224 --> 00:14:33.762
  • And jesus comes along and says, arise lazarus, arise,
  • 00:14:33.762 --> 00:14:39.034
  • And lazarus wakes up, he stumbles out of that tomb
  • 00:14:40.069 --> 00:14:43.072
  • And those grave clothes.
  • 00:14:43.072 --> 00:14:44.573
  • And jesus says to the men, unleash him and let him go.
  • 00:14:44.573 --> 00:14:48.310
  • And suddenly those grave clothes fall off
  • 00:14:48.310 --> 00:14:51.580
  • And lazarus begins blinking his eyes
  • 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:54.149
  • And can't believe what has happened to him.
  • 00:14:54.149 --> 00:14:55.951
  • And he says, jesus, thank you so much.
  • 00:14:55.951 --> 00:14:59.421
  • Thank you so much for getting me out of that tomb.
  • 00:14:59.421 --> 00:15:02.791
  • But if it's all the same to you,
  • 00:15:02.791 --> 00:15:04.259
  • I think i'll put these stinking gray clothes back on.
  • 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:07.363
  • They're so comfortable,
  • 00:15:07.363 --> 00:15:08.797
  • And i think i will crawl back into that tomb,
  • 00:15:08.797 --> 00:15:11.967
  • It's so cool and nice in there.
  • 00:15:11.967 --> 00:15:14.336
  • If it's all the same to you,
  • 00:15:14.336 --> 00:15:15.571
  • I think i'll go back to where i was.
  • 00:15:15.571 --> 00:15:18.207
  • Can you imagine lazarus doing such a thing?
  • 00:15:18.207 --> 00:15:21.243
  • That is exactly what paul is saying here.
  • 00:15:21.243 --> 00:15:23.779
  • Why would we who have been raised
  • 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:26.115
  • From an old dead way of living
  • 00:15:26.115 --> 00:15:28.917
  • And exposed to a new way of living,
  • 00:15:28.917 --> 00:15:31.053
  • Why would we ever want to crawl back into the grave of sin
  • 00:15:31.053 --> 00:15:34.556
  • And go back to the way we were?
  • 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:36.358
  • It is unthinkable that such a thing would happen.
  • 00:15:36.358 --> 00:15:39.862
  • And then he says in verse three,
  • 00:15:39.862 --> 00:15:41.530
  • "or do you not know that all of us
  • 00:15:41.530 --> 00:15:43.499
  • Who have been baptized into christ jesus
  • 00:15:43.499 --> 00:15:46.435
  • Have been baptized into his death?"
  • 00:15:46.435 --> 00:15:49.405
  • That the baptism he's talking about here
  • 00:15:49.405 --> 00:15:51.840
  • Is spiritual baptism that water baptism symbolizes.
  • 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:56.178
  • And this is why immersion is the way to be baptized,
  • 00:15:56.178 --> 00:15:59.648
  • Is because of the picture, water baptism portrays.
  • 00:15:59.648 --> 00:16:03.919
  • When you get baptized, you stand in that baptistry
  • 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:07.389
  • And you are baptized,
  • 00:16:07.389 --> 00:16:08.791
  • The water represents two things.
  • 00:16:08.791 --> 00:16:11.794
  • It represents the grave,
  • 00:16:11.794 --> 00:16:13.962
  • But it also represents the holy spirit of god.
  • 00:16:13.962 --> 00:16:17.699
  • And when you are water baptized,
  • 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:20.402
  • When you go down into that water,
  • 00:16:20.402 --> 00:16:22.504
  • What you're saying as your testimony is,
  • 00:16:22.504 --> 00:16:25.307
  • I have died to my old way of living,
  • 00:16:25.307 --> 00:16:29.278
  • But i have now been covered
  • 00:16:29.278 --> 00:16:31.413
  • In that water of the holy spirit of god.
  • 00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:34.116
  • I have been immersed in the holy spirit of god
  • 00:16:34.116 --> 00:16:37.753
  • And i have been raised to a whole new way of living.
  • 00:16:37.753 --> 00:16:41.390
  • I am a brand new person in christ.
  • 00:16:41.390 --> 00:16:44.026
  • That's what water baptism is a picture of.
  • 00:16:44.026 --> 00:16:46.862
  • It is a picture of dying to our old way of life.
  • 00:16:46.862 --> 00:16:50.365
  • My old life is now over,
  • 00:16:50.365 --> 00:16:52.301
  • That part of my biography is finished.
  • 00:16:52.301 --> 00:16:54.503
  • My new biography begins as i'm raised
  • 00:16:54.503 --> 00:16:57.306
  • To become a brand new person in christ.
  • 00:16:57.306 --> 00:17:00.676
  • Baptism is a picture
  • 00:17:00.676 --> 00:17:02.377
  • Of our death, burial, and resurrection with christ.
  • 00:17:02.377 --> 00:17:05.047
  • You see that in verse four.
  • 00:17:05.047 --> 00:17:06.315
  • "therefore, we have been buried with him
  • 00:17:06.315 --> 00:17:09.084
  • Through baptism into death,
  • 00:17:09.084 --> 00:17:11.019
  • In order that as christ was raised from the dead
  • 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:13.956
  • Through the glory of the father,
  • 00:17:13.956 --> 00:17:15.724
  • So we too might walk in newness of life."
  • 00:17:15.724 --> 00:17:19.828
  • I want to close today by telling you a story.
  • 00:17:19.828 --> 00:17:23.465
  • I have shared it in part
  • 00:17:23.465 --> 00:17:26.034
  • On different occasions and in different venues.
  • 00:17:26.969 --> 00:17:30.139
  • Some of you in our church knew my parents,
  • 00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:33.909
  • They're both in heaven now.
  • 00:17:33.909 --> 00:17:35.644
  • But, my dad
  • 00:17:35.644 --> 00:17:38.313
  • Was saved at the end of world war ii.
  • 00:17:38.313 --> 00:17:41.116
  • He was saved in the service through the witness
  • 00:17:41.116 --> 00:17:43.519
  • Of an assembly of god, chaplain.
  • 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:46.421
  • And my father was going to move to dallas
  • 00:17:46.421 --> 00:17:50.726
  • And attend smu on the gi bill.
  • 00:17:50.726 --> 00:17:52.928
  • So, knowing he was going to move to dallas,
  • 00:17:52.928 --> 00:17:54.763
  • He asked this assembly of god, chaplain,
  • 00:17:54.763 --> 00:17:57.633
  • When i get to dallas, where should i go to church?
  • 00:17:57.633 --> 00:18:01.003
  • And the chaplain said,
  • 00:18:01.003 --> 00:18:02.371
  • There's only one place to go to church in dallas.
  • 00:18:02.371 --> 00:18:04.606
  • It's the first baptist church in dallas.
  • 00:18:04.606 --> 00:18:07.142
  • Because that's where the bible is taught.
  • 00:18:07.142 --> 00:18:09.578
  • And you want to be where the bible is taught.
  • 00:18:09.578 --> 00:18:12.381
  • That's why i love the assembly of god.
  • 00:18:12.381 --> 00:18:15.984
  • They love the bible, they love us and we love them.
  • 00:18:15.984 --> 00:18:19.888
  • So, my dad came to dallas,
  • 00:18:19.888 --> 00:18:22.191
  • He enrolled in smu and he met my mom there.
  • 00:18:22.191 --> 00:18:25.527
  • She was attending smu
  • 00:18:25.527 --> 00:18:26.895
  • And my mom was,
  • 00:18:26.895 --> 00:18:29.097
  • A member of a methodist church.
  • 00:18:29.731 --> 00:18:31.533
  • She had grown up in the methodist church,
  • 00:18:31.533 --> 00:18:33.669
  • Faithful in her attendance,
  • 00:18:33.669 --> 00:18:35.037
  • But she had never personally trusted in christ
  • 00:18:35.037 --> 00:18:38.240
  • As her savior.
  • 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.608
  • And so my dad would do everything
  • 00:18:39.608 --> 00:18:40.909
  • He could to try to get my mom to come down here
  • 00:18:40.909 --> 00:18:44.313
  • To first baptist dallas and she refused to come.
  • 00:18:44.313 --> 00:18:47.316
  • She hated coming to this church.
  • 00:18:47.316 --> 00:18:49.518
  • She couldn't stand the music here.
  • 00:18:49.518 --> 00:18:51.753
  • She really couldn't stand dr. criswell,
  • 00:18:51.753 --> 00:18:53.989
  • And all that yelling and screaming.
  • 00:18:53.989 --> 00:18:55.624
  • She said that he did.
  • 00:18:55.624 --> 00:18:57.226
  • And of course, the real problem was she wasn't saved,
  • 00:18:57.226 --> 00:19:00.562
  • But she found some excuse why not to come.
  • 00:19:00.562 --> 00:19:03.398
  • Well, my dad finally persuaded her to go with him
  • 00:19:03.398 --> 00:19:06.768
  • To the billy graham crusade at the cotton bowl in 1953.
  • 00:19:06.768 --> 00:19:12.074
  • She went and there she trusted in christ as her savior.
  • 00:19:13.141 --> 00:19:15.911
  • And it was announced that billy graham,
  • 00:19:15.911 --> 00:19:18.347
  • The following sunday,
  • 00:19:18.347 --> 00:19:19.615
  • Would be preaching here at first baptist dallas.
  • 00:19:19.615 --> 00:19:22.985
  • So, my mom reluctantly agreed
  • 00:19:22.985 --> 00:19:25.420
  • To come with my dad to the service,
  • 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:27.689
  • And they sat up in the old balcony there
  • 00:19:27.689 --> 00:19:30.759
  • And listened to billy graham preach.
  • 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.828
  • And when billy had finished the sermon,
  • 00:19:32.828 --> 00:19:35.063
  • He stepped down from behind the pulpit.
  • 00:19:35.063 --> 00:19:37.432
  • He came down, took dr. criswell by the hand
  • 00:19:37.432 --> 00:19:40.235
  • And placed his membership in our church.
  • 00:19:40.235 --> 00:19:43.605
  • And as you know, for 54 years,
  • 00:19:43.605 --> 00:19:45.507
  • Billy graham was a member of our church.
  • 00:19:45.507 --> 00:19:47.976
  • Well, when billy graham walked down to the front,
  • 00:19:47.976 --> 00:19:51.179
  • My mom turned to my dad and the balcony and said,
  • 00:19:51.179 --> 00:19:54.783
  • Well, if first baptist is good enough for billy graham,
  • 00:19:54.783 --> 00:19:58.153
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:19:58.153 --> 00:19:59.454
  • It's good enough for me.
  • 00:19:59.454 --> 00:20:01.290
  • And she joined the church that day as well.
  • 00:20:01.290 --> 00:20:04.226
  • (congregation clapping)
  • 00:20:04.226 --> 00:20:05.594
  • Now, she,
  • 00:20:05.594 --> 00:20:07.963
  • Joined here, and mrs. criswell was so kind to disciple her,
  • 00:20:09.131 --> 00:20:13.068
  • But she hadn't been baptized yet.
  • 00:20:13.068 --> 00:20:15.537
  • And dr. criswell kept saying to her, now, judy,
  • 00:20:15.537 --> 00:20:18.006
  • You need to be baptized.
  • 00:20:18.006 --> 00:20:21.243
  • At first, she didn't understand why that was important,
  • 00:20:19.808 --> 00:20:24.246
  • But as she began to study the scripture,
  • 00:20:24.246 --> 00:20:26.481
  • She understood and she came to the conviction on her own.
  • 00:20:26.481 --> 00:20:29.384
  • That's what god wants me to do to be baptized.
  • 00:20:29.384 --> 00:20:32.354
  • The only problem was her parents, my grandparents,
  • 00:20:32.354 --> 00:20:36.658
  • They were committed members
  • 00:20:36.658 --> 00:20:38.994
  • Of the methodist church,
  • 00:20:38.994 --> 00:20:40.495
  • And they were violently opposed
  • 00:20:40.495 --> 00:20:42.664
  • To her being baptized.
  • 00:20:42.664 --> 00:20:44.366
  • To them, that would be a repudiation
  • 00:20:44.366 --> 00:20:47.436
  • Of her whole heritage of what they had done as parents.
  • 00:20:47.436 --> 00:20:51.139
  • And my mom wanted to please her parents.
  • 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:53.975
  • She really wanted to please her parents,
  • 00:20:53.975 --> 00:20:56.211
  • But she knew this is what god had her to do.
  • 00:20:56.211 --> 00:20:58.747
  • So, she said she was going to be baptized.
  • 00:20:58.747 --> 00:21:01.083
  • My grandparents were so hurt,
  • 00:21:01.083 --> 00:21:04.786
  • Just hurt that they refused to attend the baptismal service.
  • 00:21:04.786 --> 00:21:09.591
  • Well, as the years went on,
  • 00:21:09.591 --> 00:21:12.127
  • I came along and my brother and sister,
  • 00:21:12.127 --> 00:21:14.830
  • My grandparents started to soften up a little bit
  • 00:21:14.830 --> 00:21:18.367
  • And they started to visit here
  • 00:21:18.367 --> 00:21:19.868
  • And they grew to love dr. criswell and to love our church.
  • 00:21:19.868 --> 00:21:24.206
  • And in january of 1986,
  • 00:21:24.206 --> 00:21:27.542
  • My grandmother died.
  • 00:21:27.542 --> 00:21:30.545
  • And then six weeks after that,
  • 00:21:30.545 --> 00:21:32.948
  • My mother died at age 54.
  • 00:21:32.948 --> 00:21:36.952
  • And my grandfather, bless his heart,
  • 00:21:36.952 --> 00:21:39.154
  • Lost his wife and his only daughter
  • 00:21:39.154 --> 00:21:41.990
  • Within a six week period of time.
  • 00:21:41.990 --> 00:21:44.693
  • And the grief he went through was just unspeakable.
  • 00:21:44.693 --> 00:21:48.497
  • And i remember going to visit him up in van alston, texas,
  • 00:21:48.497 --> 00:21:51.700
  • The final years of his life.
  • 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:54.069
  • And so often he would say to me,
  • 00:21:54.069 --> 00:21:57.606
  • It'd say, robert, you know the best thing
  • 00:21:58.507 --> 00:22:02.811
  • Your mother ever did
  • 00:22:02.811 --> 00:22:04.379
  • Was when she joined that first baptist church of dallas,
  • 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:08.450
  • And raised you kids up in that church
  • 00:22:08.450 --> 00:22:10.952
  • It's the best thing she ever did.
  • 00:22:10.952 --> 00:22:13.822
  • And if i were physically able,
  • 00:22:13.822 --> 00:22:16.925
  • I'd walk down the aisle of that first baptist church
  • 00:22:16.925 --> 00:22:19.928
  • In dallas today and be baptized.
  • 00:22:19.928 --> 00:22:23.532
  • I'm too old.
  • 00:22:23.532 --> 00:22:25.400
  • I can't physically do it,
  • 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:27.502
  • But oh, how i wish i could be baptized.
  • 00:22:27.502 --> 00:22:31.673
  • And he said that until the day he died,
  • 00:22:31.673 --> 00:22:34.042
  • He wanted to be baptized.
  • 00:22:34.042 --> 00:22:36.845
  • What i'm saying to you is if you are truly
  • 00:22:37.746 --> 00:22:41.683
  • A follower of jesus christ,
  • 00:22:41.683 --> 00:22:44.386
  • You're going to want to obey christ
  • 00:22:44.386 --> 00:22:46.555
  • And do what he says, to be baptized.
  • 00:22:46.555 --> 00:22:50.058
  • It's the most natural thing in the world
  • 00:22:50.058 --> 00:22:52.894
  • To want to be baptized.
  • 00:22:52.894 --> 00:22:55.297
  • You can be saved without being baptized,
  • 00:22:56.131 --> 00:22:59.234
  • But you can't be a disciple without being baptized.
  • 00:22:59.234 --> 00:23:03.605
  • Repent,
  • 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:05.273
  • Believe and be baptized.
  • 00:23:05.774 --> 00:23:08.810
  • That's the mark of a true disciple of christ.
  • 00:23:08.810 --> 00:23:13.114
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:13.114 --> 00:23:17.652
  • There's never been a time in american history
  • 00:23:18.553 --> 00:23:21.089
  • When we've needed this life-changing work
  • 00:23:21.089 --> 00:23:23.225
  • Of regeneration more than right now.
  • 00:23:23.225 --> 00:23:26.061
  • And that's why "pathway to victory" exists
  • 00:23:26.061 --> 00:23:28.730
  • To be a beacon of light that draws men and women,
  • 00:23:28.730 --> 00:23:31.633
  • Across our nation to become true disciples of jesus christ.
  • 00:23:31.633 --> 00:23:36.438
  • Now let me be clear about something.
  • 00:23:36.438 --> 00:23:38.740
  • While we teach the bible every day on this program,
  • 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:41.576
  • This isn't just an academic exercise.
  • 00:23:41.576 --> 00:23:44.779
  • Our goal is far greater.
  • 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.748
  • We want god's word to penetrate hearts
  • 00:23:46.748 --> 00:23:49.351
  • And radically transform lives.
  • 00:23:49.351 --> 00:23:51.987
  • And gratefully, that's exactly what's happening.
  • 00:23:51.987 --> 00:23:54.823
  • Every single day we hear from viewers and listeners
  • 00:23:54.823 --> 00:23:58.026
  • Whose lives have been completely changed
  • 00:23:58.026 --> 00:24:00.262
  • By the truths they've discovered on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:00.262 --> 00:24:04.165
  • So, thank you to our pathway partners
  • 00:24:04.165 --> 00:24:06.535
  • And everyone who supports this ministry.
  • 00:24:06.535 --> 00:24:09.638
  • Together we're bringing god's light into the dark corners
  • 00:24:09.638 --> 00:24:13.008
  • Of our world.
  • 00:24:13.008 --> 00:24:14.509
  • Now, please stay right there.
  • 00:24:14.509 --> 00:24:16.211
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:16.211 --> 00:24:18.813
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:18.813 --> 00:24:20.282
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:24:20.282 --> 00:24:22.384
  • We all need god's strength to make it through the day.
  • 00:24:22.384 --> 00:24:25.420
  • Encouragement
  • 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.821
  • For the heart of a disciple by dr. robert jeffress,
  • 00:24:26.821 --> 00:24:29.024
  • Provides the spiritual refreshment you need.
  • 00:24:29.024 --> 00:24:31.860
  • In a large print format,
  • 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.428
  • Every page bursts with breathtaking imagery
  • 00:24:33.428 --> 00:24:36.231
  • That draws you toward the beauty of god's creation.
  • 00:24:36.231 --> 00:24:39.434
  • I know how challenging it can be to stay connected
  • 00:24:39.434 --> 00:24:42.304
  • With god in our busy lives.
  • 00:24:42.304 --> 00:24:44.439
  • In my new devotional, i provide personal reflections
  • 00:24:44.439 --> 00:24:47.776
  • And practical insights
  • 00:24:47.776 --> 00:24:49.344
  • That will help you experience god's presence
  • 00:24:49.344 --> 00:24:51.780
  • And encouragement throughout your day.
  • 00:24:51.780 --> 00:24:54.516
  • Filled with stunning images of creation,
  • 00:24:54.516 --> 00:24:56.885
  • Scripture verses and prayers you can read
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  • In under two minutes,
  • 00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:00.689
  • This padded hardcover book is the perfect daily companion
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  • To help refresh your spirit morning and night.
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  • It also makes a thoughtful gift
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  • To encourage a friend or loved one.
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  • Request your copy of encouragement
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  • For the heart of a disciple when you give a generous gift
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  • To support the ministry of "pathway to victory"
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  • Or when you become a pathway partner.
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  • With your ministry gift of $100 or more,
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  • We'll send you the encouragement resource set containing
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  • The new devotional, six clutter-free prayer cards,
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  • The clutter-free christianity book
  • 00:25:29.951 --> 00:25:31.853
  • And life application guide,
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  • And the seven marks of a disciple message series
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  • On both cd and dvd.
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  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
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  • Your generous partnership helps us impact you
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  • And your family and a nation in deep spiritual need
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  • With the transforming truth of god's word.
  • 00:25:47.202 --> 00:25:50.805
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.540
  • The essence of discipleship is our changed life
  • 00:25:52.540 --> 00:25:55.543
  • That comes from a transformed heart.
  • 00:25:55.543 --> 00:25:58.079
  • And as we conclude this series
  • 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.681
  • On the seven marks of a disciple,
  • 00:25:59.681 --> 00:26:01.850
  • I hope you have a clear and thorough understanding
  • 00:26:01.850 --> 00:26:04.619
  • Of what that statement means.
  • 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:06.921
  • Next time we're going to discover
  • 00:26:06.921 --> 00:26:08.556
  • The one prayer god always promises to answer.
  • 00:26:08.556 --> 00:26:11.993
  • It's a simple seven word prayer that changes everything,
  • 00:26:11.993 --> 00:26:16.231
  • But it's not the prayer most people would expect.
  • 00:26:16.231 --> 00:26:19.300
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:22.003
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:22.003 --> 00:26:23.905
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:23.905 --> 00:26:25.407
  • One reason we don't get our prayers answered sometime
  • 00:26:25.407 --> 00:26:28.209
  • Is we're not acting righteously.
  • 00:26:28.209 --> 00:26:30.712
  • We may be in a right relationship with god,
  • 00:26:30.712 --> 00:26:33.114
  • We may be forgiven of our sins,
  • 00:26:33.114 --> 00:26:35.383
  • But if we don't act righteously,
  • 00:26:35.383 --> 00:26:37.686
  • God doesn't hear our prayers.
  • 00:26:37.686 --> 00:26:41.222
  • Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:41.222 --> 00:26:44.526
  • The one prayer god always answers,
  • 00:26:44.526 --> 00:26:47.195
  • Here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:47.195 --> 00:26:50.799
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:51.132 --> 00:26:52.934
  • Take a journey through alaska's awe-inspiring wilderness
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  • On the 2026 "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska.
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  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:26:59.908 --> 00:27:10.351
  • Make plans to set sale
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  • For an unforgettable week of adventure,
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  • June 13 through 20, 2026.
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  • Call 888-2806-747
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  • Or visit ptv.org.
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  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:27:22.197 --> 00:27:22.197