CN Morning Rundown: ‘Joy of Salvation’ Proclaimed as Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Baptizes 1,200

Here’s a quick summary of the top stories on cn.mycharisma.com:

‘Joy of Salvation’ Proclaimed as Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Baptizes 1,200

As surfers and beach bums took to the sand to spend a summer day in the sun, the members of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills flocked to the water to express their great love and dedication to Christ through baptism.

The California church has regularly celebrated the “joy of salvation” with their congregation, but according to a blog post, this is the biggest turnout for water baptism ever recorded. Over 1,200 chose to surrender their lives to Christ over the weekend.

Calvary Chapel “heralds” this annual event as “one of the most important events of the year,” as the church celebrated the decision of those who completed the church’s baptism class as well as bystanders who spontaneously decided to join the celebration.

Matthew West Apologizes for Satire After Social Media Condemns Its Purity Culture Message

Christian singer Matthew West has apologized for his “Modest Is Hottest” satire after critics claimed his lighthearted message contained damaging references to purity culture.

West released the “ridiculously silly” song as a way of reminding his two daughters that “their appearance doesn’t define them.”

But the song quickly sparked debate over “purity culture” and how West’s satire seemed to perpetuate potentially harmful ideologies. West then apologized Thursday evening and removed the video from his social media accounts.

How Believers Can Escape Drowning in a Sea of Guilt and Condemnation

There is a “do more” and “be more” message being propagated in pulpits across the world that is keeping believers trapped in spiritual bondage. The reality of the New Covenant is being overshadowed by the Old Covenant, which has been fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So many are striving for perfection and desperately trying to claw their way into holiness and righteousness, only to fall flat on their faces and drown in a sea of guilt and self-condemnation.

From this perspective, the Good News isn’t that you are forgiven but still a filthy sinner. Also, the Good News isn’t that you are forgiven but you will need to wrestle with sin all the days of your life until you go to heaven. That wouldn’t be Good News at all! There is freedom here and now in the gospel of Jesus. You are forgiven and perfectly free from sin by the grace of God. {eoa}

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