YOUTH COMMITMENT DAYS 2009

YOUTH COMMITMENT DAYS (BAPTISMAL CELEBRATIONS) NORTHERN HEMISPHERE MAY 2009

YOUTH COMMITMENT DAYS (BAPTISMAL CELEBRATIONS) SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SEPTEMBER 2009

PREPARATION TO BE MADE In 6 months time

1.PRAY THE BENEFITS OF PRAYER Will grow us closer to God and be spiritually strong. Will find peace and joy and fulfillment. Will fotify our children and young people from the attacks of Satan. “Be watchful do not let you sleep even a moment at your post. This is a most important warfare. Eternal consequences are involved. It is life of death with you and your family.” E G White, Child Guidance, p. 185

2.BIBLE STUDY THE BENEFITS OF BIBLE STUDY Making Christians strong in spirit and intellect. Opens up the past centuries. Without the Bible we should have been left to conjectures and fables in regard to the occurrences of past ages. It is a prophecy that unveils the future. It is the Word of God, unfolding to us the plan of salvation, pointing out the way by which we may escape eternal death and gain eternal life.

2.BIBLE STUDY – con’t THE BENEFITS OF BIBLE STUDY It gives not only the history of this world, but a description of the world to come. It reveals to our understanding the character of the Author of the heavens and the earth. In it is the revelation of God to man. E G White, The Bible Echo, October 1, 1892

3.REPENTANCE Feeling of deep regret for some misdeed, then restoring the relationship with God. Genuine repentance generates a transformation in the way we live, also in the way we think and act.

4.KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS We know how to express our love to God and to our fellow beings. We are protected from doing harm to others. We will have clean lives. We shall have happy families.

4.KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – con’t Counsels from EGW of keeping God’s Commandments “Teach the children the commandments of God forever. This was important in Israel’s time, and it is none the less so now. All your profession of keeping the commandments will not give you an entrance to the city. Bind them on your heart and carry them out in every act.” E G White, Christ Triumphant, p. 62.

5.KEEPING THE SABBATH Parents can and should give attention to their children, reading to them the most attractive portions of Bible history, Educating them to reverence the Sabbath day, keeping it according to the commandment. This cannot be done if the parents feel no burden to interest their children. But they can make the Sabbath a delight if they will take the proper course.

6.ATTENDING THE CHURCH REGULARLY BENEFITS: Having fellowship with God and with the fellow church goers. Listening to the Word of God preached. Encouraging and strengthening each other. Getting the privilege of praying for one another. Studies showed that attending the church regularly significantly helping the youth to reduce their use and risk from Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs. Considerably lower their risk of suicide. Decrease their risk for committing a crime. Diminish the risk for rebelliousness.

7.FELLOWSHIPPING WITH OTHER SDA YOUTH BENEFITS: Feeling welcome and comfortable to attend and be involved in worshipping, fellowshipping, working and playing together. Having the same doctrines and same life styles. Encouraging each other to support the church and to do activities together. Helping young people to stay in the church and find future spouses with the same beliefs.

8.BAPTISM – 1 of 5 JESUS SAID: JOHN 3:3, NIV: “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” JOHN 3:5, NIV: “Jesus answered, “’ tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.’” JOHN 3:7, NIV: “You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.” Baptism is imperative. Jesus said that it is the only way for a person to see the Kingdom of God and to enter it. There is no other way, believe and be Baptized.

8.BAPTISM – 2 of 5 MODE OF BAPTISM: One Mode of Baptism, EPHESIANS 4:5, NIV: ”One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” By Immersion – The Baptism of Jesus. MATTHEW 3:16, 17, NIV: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

8.BAPTISM – 3 of 5 PRE-REQUISITES FOR BAPTISM: TO BE TAUGHT, MATTHEW 28:19, KJV: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” BELIEVE– MARK 16:16, NIV: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” REPENT – MARK 1:4, NIV: ”And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

8.BAPTISM – 4 of 5 FOR THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: The whole month of MAY 2009 is dedicated for YOUTH BAPTISM. Preparation for that special event should be done early. Candidates are given the Bible study; in 6 months all the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church should be taught, either through personal Bible study or Public Evangelistic Meetings. Make the Day of Baptism a Special Day for the Baptismal candidates, arrange a BIG CELEBRATION, decorate the church beautifully, prepare gifts, like Bibles, Song Book, etc. Arrange special pot-lucks to welcome them.

8.BAPTISM – 5 of 5 FOR THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: The whole month of SEPTEMBER 2009 is dedicated for YOUTH BAPTISM. Preparation for that special event should be done early. Candidates are given the Bible study; in 6 months all the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church should be taught, either through personal Bible study or Public Evangelistic Meetings. Make the Day of Baptism a Special Day for the Baptismal candidates, arrange a BIG CELEBRATION, decorate the church beautifully, prepare gifts, like Bibles, Song Book, etc. Arrange special pot-lucks to welcome them.