Antioch Baptist Church

06/01/2026

Good morning, Antioch family. Pastor Doug again with our Monday morning Bible verse!
Today our verse comes from...

Acts 5:29 "But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men."

I believe that this verse speaks to our day and age just as much as it did for the first century Church. We live in an age where our society is openly aggressive to the proclamation of the gospel. What we are living with today is not that dissimilar to what the early church also lived with. Our society tolerates our coming together within nice buildings on Sundays, yet it is showing that it will not tolerate our taking the gospel outside those walls.
It seeks to silence our voices when we do.
Sadly, many have compromised as Christians in this area and to this Peter says, "We must obey God rather than men."

When the ruling council (the Sanhedrin) ordered the apostles to stop preaching the gospel, Peter and the others replied with a firm refusal and so must we!

The deeper meaning and implications of this verse include:

1. Ultimate Allegiance: Christians are called to submit to earthly authorities (governments, laws, and leaders). However, this submission is secondary. When human laws or cultural pressures directly conflict with God's commands, ultimate allegiance goes to God.

2. Priority of the Gospel: The apostles were divinely commissioned to spread the message of Jesus' resurrection. For them, keeping silent to appease human leaders was a compromise they could not make, no matter the earthly consequences. In doing this they became our examples to follow.

3. Willingness to Suffer: Following God's will often brings opposition from the world. The apostles accepted that their obedience would result in persecution (as seen later in their imprisonment and beatings), cementing the idea that God's truth is worth suffering for.

This verse serves as a historical and spiritual blueprint for radical faith, demonstrating the courage required to prioritize heavenly directives over earthly comfort or consequences.

In Christ...

06/01/2026

Summer Leadership Camp. Day 1 is off to a great start.

06/01/2026

ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL VBS!!!💡🪩🌟✝️

REGISTER YOUR CHILD TODAY!

https://forms.gle/vgCAMpeCTCVH2RkK7

🪩✨ VBS 2026 at Antioch Baptist Church ✨🪩

Join us for an exciting week at Illumination Station as we discover how to shine the light of Jesus in our lives! 🌟

📅 June 8–12, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
👧🧑 Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Each night will include Bible lessons, music, games, crafts, fun, and fellowship in a high-energy, light-filled atmosphere your kids and teens will love! ✨

REGISTER TODAY:
https://forms.gle/vgCAMpeCTCVH2RkK7

Bring your friends and join us for the brightest week of the year! 💡

Jesus spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." -John 8:12

05/31/2026

05/25/2026

Good morning, Antioch. Today is Memorial Day.
Today set aside for us as Americans for remembrance of those who have fought for and died for this great country while defending our God given freedoms.

For many this day is a day full of loss and reflection. For others it is just an extra day off from working. But we know that it truly a day full of the memories of sacrificial love.

Jesus in the Gospel of John gives us the greatest idea of sacrificial love while in service to Him as Believers.

John 15:12-14, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you."

This is a core Biblical passage for all of Christianity. Here Jesus outlines the greatest measure of love and defines the true nature of a relationship with Him.

There are three core meanings and themes found for us here that if followed give each Believer more stable ground to stand on in Faith.

1. Sacrificial Love (v12-14): Jesus commands His Followers to love one another with the same intensity and selflessness that He demonstrated. Laying down one's life isn't just about dying for someone; it represents a daily, continuous sacrifice of one's own desires, time, and ego for the benefit of others.

2. The Privilege of Friendship (v14): In the ancient world, a religious teacher's followers were often viewed as mere servants or students. Jesus radically redefines this dynamic, calling His followers "friends". This means a relationship with Him is intimate, loving, and based on mutual trust.

3. Obedience Rooted in Love (v14): Jesus clarifies that true friendship and love are proven by action and obedience. For Jesus, obedience is not a harsh, joyless obligation, but the natural response of a loyal friend.

Today, Christian as we remember the sacrifice of our fellow countrymen and women on the battlefield, remember also to continue in your loving service to the Lord Jesus...

In Christ...

05/19/2026

Good afternoon, Church!

I know that it is Tuesday and not Monday. I have to confess that for me yesterday, I attempted to do nothing but try to relax and to enjoy My "day off", which is really something that I do not truly have.

I was contacted by the granddaughter of a past church member from my previous Pastoral position. This sweet lady had passed away last Friday, and the family asked that I preach her funeral.

This honor I gladly have accepted!

So, between my studies for our next time together at Wednesday night Bible study and for our fellowship in the Word this Sunday, Monday and this morning have been full.

Yet I still want to share a word of encouragement with you all.

Romans 8:26-28 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

This is a celebrated biblical passage that offers comfort by explaining how the Holy Spirit helps believers during times of suffering or confusion. It assures us as Believers that the Spirit prays on our behalf when we cannot find words, and that God ultimately uses all situations for our ultimate good.

If we take a closer look at the verses, they reveal their specific meanings and the promises they carry:

1. What it means: When life is overwhelming, Believers often do not know how or what to pray. The original Greek root for "weakness" implies frailty, limitations, or ignorance. These verses tell us that the Holy Spirit steps in to help shoulder this burden for us.

2. The "Groanings": The phrase "groanings too deep for words" refers to the Holy Spirit communicating directly with God on our behalf. It signifies that God understands the heart's deepest, unspoken desires even when we are completely unable to articulate them.

God does not leave us to wonder in a state of confusion when we struggle. No, He looks deep into our souls and knows exactly what we need even when do not!

Love in Christ...

05/13/2026

🪩✨ VBS 2026 at Antioch Baptist Church ✨🪩

Join us for an exciting week at Illumination Station as we discover how to shine the light of Jesus in our lives! 🌟

📅 June 8–12, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
👧🧑 Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Each night will include Bible lessons, music, games, crafts, fun, and fellowship in a high-energy, light-filled atmosphere your kids and teens will love! ✨

REGISTER TODAY:
https://forms.gle/vgCAMpeCTCVH2RkK7

Bring your friends and join us for the brightest week of the year! 💡

Jesus spoke to them again: "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." -John 8:12

05/11/2026

Good morning, Antioch! This is Pastor Doug. I did not forget about our Monday Bible verse.
This week's verse comes from Galatians 6:9. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

This is a call to Christian endurance; it encourages us as believers to continue doing good works despite being fatigued, despite discouragement, or the lack of immediate results. We are to do this remembering the promise that God will reward our faithfulness in His perfect timing.

What are the key meanings and components of this verse?

1. "Not grow weary" (Do not grow tired): Recognize that doing good can be exhausting, leading to spiritual or emotional fatigue, but this also encourages us to not let this weariness become a desire to quit.

2. "Doing good" (Well-doing): This refers to living by the Spirit, serving others, supporting the faith community, and acting with love and integrity.

3. "For in due season" (At the right time): This emphasizes that God's timing is perfect and not based on human speed or expectations. This requires patience and faith on our part.

4. "If we do not give up" (Do not stop): This defines the condition for our reward as persistence, perseverance, and holding on to faith, even when the situation seems hopeless.

This verse fits within Paul's instruction on community care in the Body of Christ - helping to bear one another's burdens and sowing to the Spirit rather than the flesh. It also serves as a reminder for us to trust God's promises rather than looking for immediate results.

Until next time,
Love in Christ...