Update – Acts Chapter 19 … Today!

I received a sad yet absolutely wonderful text message from Pastor Tomás Sánchez this week:

"Se fue con el SEÑOR JESÚS, nuestro hermano Alberto Chuquipiondo." (Our Brother, Alberto Chuquipiondo, has gone to be with the Lord Jesus).

This is victory. This is mercy... the mercy of our God at its best. Passing into an eternity, up until mere weeks ago which would have provided the most horrendous shock imaginable for this very sincere pastor...for, as Saul of Tarsus, he didn't really know the God he loved.

The Scriptures are clear: baptism must be in the Name of Jesus Christ if our sins are to be forgiven (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 4: 12; Acts 22:16). And simply being sincere is not enough, either:

" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. "  (Matthew 7:21-23)

Thank God for mercy ––thank God that He sent someone to Pastor Chuquipiondo in time! Thank God for a date with a baptistry...and a pastor who, though he had led other for years, did not let pride get in the way of acknowledging that he needed more of God, and needed to be re-baptized ––the Bible way!

No, God didn't heal his lung cancer ––but He graciously granted him time and health enough to see, feel, understand, and obey the only saving message in the Word of God!

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."  (Acts 2:38)

This missionary loves missions stories like this one...stories that start with mercy and end in victory.

Mercy! 

What a beautiful word...