Since the days are getting longer I am greeted by the sunrise most mornings when I drive off the Riverside Drive ramp in an easterly direction onto I-285. Quite often the morning sky is a spectacular array of purple, red, gold, orange and yellow - a veritable prism of colors designed by the hand of a loving God who thus chooses to use His creative genius to welcome me to a new day.

On the morning of the writing of this editorial, though crisp and cool, harbingers of spring abound - the chirping of robins and meadowlarks, the emergence of daffodils and tulips, the promise of a new growing season and the contemplation of another Easter.

 

The Conquering, Living Christ

Speaking of Easter, we have a Savior who lived and died and rose again to be the Lord of the living and the dead. He conquered sin, hell and the grave; and He wants to give to all resurrection life, abundant life and everlasting life.

Because of Easter, disappointment is not the last word. Despair is not the last word. Depression is not the last word. Debt is not the last word. Death is not the last word. If the Word of God teaches us anything, it teaches us that God always has the last word, and the last word is Jesus!

Winston Churchill was a rather rough-hewn sort of individual who professed to be a believer. He arranged his own funeral and died in 1965 at the age of 90. The memorial service was conducted at Saint Paul's Cathedral with stirring eulogies, stately hymns and impressive liturgy.

However, at the end of the service Churchill had an unusual event planned. When they said the benediction a bugler, high on one side of the dome of the cathedral, played Last Post (Taps), the universal signal that the day is over and the night has come. There was a long pause and then a bugler on the other side of the dome played Reveille, the military wake-up call.

It was Churchill's way of communicating that while we say "good night" here, it's "good morning" in heaven for the saint of God. Thank God for Easter, the day we celebrate His past resurrection and our future resurrection.

 

Baptism Day on Easter Sunday, March 27

How fitting, therefore, that Mike Minnix, vice president of evangelism for the Georgia Baptist Convention, has challenged every GBC church to baptize someone on Easter Sunday, March 27. Of course, baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Minnix says, "Baptism stirs questions, captures attention, communicates the gospel, reflects Jesus, and honors the Lord."

If every Georgia Baptist church would baptize just one person on Easter Sunday we would baptize more people than were baptized on the day of Pentecost. The Evangelism Ministries office of the GBC is available to help churches more effectively reach the lost and offer suggestions for enhancing baptisms. If your church participates in Baptism Day on Easter Sunday let the Evangelism Ministries office know by calling 1 (800) RING-GBC, ext. 232.

 

A Word About The Christian Index

At the state evangelism conference at First Baptist Church, Douglasville, this editor gave several good reasons for putting The Christian Index in the church budget for every member. Here is the essence of that appeal:

If you are a consumer, we advertise good products for you to purchase.

If you are a creationist, we endeavor to expose the myth of evolution.

If you are an ecclesiologist, we write compelling stories about the church.

If you are an ethicist, we address issues of moral concern.

If you are an etymologist, we have a crossword puzzle for you to work.

If you are a historian, we write stories about Baptist life from the past to the present.

If you are a jurist, we occasionally have to write stores about lawsuits and litigation.

If you are a statistician, we sometimes have a compilation of facts and figures.

If you are a pastor who is sick and tired of your church, we list openings and you can apply.

If you are a layman who is sick and tired of your pastor, we list job openings and you can recommend him to another church.

If you are unregenerate and need to be saved, we have the plan of salvation in every issue.

And if you are a premillennialist, you need to get The Christian Index NOW, because although it is the oldest continually published religious newspaper in America, we will not be publishing after the rapture.