Speed is given to the cheetah, but the race is given to man;
Wings are given to the falcon, but sublimity is given to man;
Strength is given to the lion, but dominion is given to man;
Labor is given to the ant, but planning and management to man;
Beauty is given to the butterfly, but art is given to man;
Night is given to the owl, but watchfulness is given to man;
The sting is given to the scorpion, but peace is given to man;
Corpulence is given to the whale, but magnanimity is given to man;
Yes, height is given to the mountains and breadth is given to space;
But, what compares to the hope, faith, and love that God has given to man!
"Last Supper" by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1750) Yes, it is. Water baptism identifies one with the redemption work of Jesus Christ, with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is anticipated of visible identification with Christ and His Church. Every person has the personal responsibility to examine him/herself before deciding to partake in the Lord's Table. The Bible makes it clear that those who chose not to be baptized were rejecting the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). In a mixed congregation, it is not possible to always know who is worthy to partake of the Table; however, the minister must encourage only those who have been baptized for remission of sins (not just as a ritual but by faith in Jesus Christ) to partake of the Table. Before Jesus sat down to dip bread in the cup, He washed His disciples' feet. He makes the statement that they are already "washed" and only need feet to be washed. Of course, this may not explicitly/only refer to their baptism, fo
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