Rough Crowd 5/24/2013

The look on Steve's face says a lot about the mood of the unusually large crowd at the Burbank Media Center Mall. Perhaps it was due to the particular movies that were opening, or maybe it was the end of the school year, or simply the Memorial Day weekend kickstarting, but the tone of the crowd was much rowdier and noisier than usual. The team was blessed to include Mark, Nathan, Paul, Dr. Jack, Barbara, Steve M., and Steven V.

In spite of the palpable indifference and occasional passing mockery by groups of loud teenagers, many bibles and tracts were distributed. The gospel was preached, with passion and clarity. As a team we have been working on our "Whitefield" voices, anticipating a time when amplification will no longer by tolerated in the public square. However, due to the unusual volume of the crowd, the amplifier came in handy.

Numerous one-to-one conversations took place, and this one was a team effort by Mark and Dr. Jack. The fellow on the bench was a professing Christian who insisted that water baptism was a necessary component of salvation. This is commonly known as "baptismal regeneration." Many people espouse this view, but scripture clearly teaches that this is a false view of the purpose of baptism. As you will see in this linked article, there are several scriptures that are used to support this view. However, the key is to understand these passages in the context of the entire teaching of scripture. Scripture cannot contradict itself. This article presents a discussion of basic hermeneutical principles.

ANNOUNCEMENTS -

Beginning next week, Saturday, June 1, we will be changing back to Saturday evenings for the official weekly CBC Evangelism Team outreach. We will continue to meet at the Burbank Police Department parking lot (Palm & Glenoaks) weekly at 6:00 pm. Please update your calendar! If you have not recently been receiving the text message reminders, please talk to Steven V. to make sure he has your cell phone number and email address.

Join us:  Saturday, June 1, 2013 @ 6:00pm at BPD parking lot!

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  (2 Timothy 4:1-2,5)