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Jesus Christ took
water baptism by immersing in River Jordan and called it righteousness.
God the Father came down from heaven to bless this simple ceremony of the
water baptism, baptized Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost and called him
beloved son.
The same promise is extended also to believers.
Water baptism is
the counsel God the Father and the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. Water
Baptism is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Water Baptism is required for salvation. Believers
obey God in water baptism. Rebellious people disobey God in all things
including the water baptism.
The meaning of the word baptism is "bathing by immersion."
Orthodox, traditional and similar churches use a little water on a child
dedication ceremony and call it baptism. Even though they call it as baptism, it
is not the baptism that Jesus Christ took and commanded to give.
The true pattern
of Christian baptism is the baptism, which John the Baptist gave to Jesus
Christ.
John immersed Jesus Christ in the waters of the river Jordan for baptism.
"Matt 3:13 --- cometh
Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. ---
16 And Jesus, when he was
baptized, went up straightway out of the water: ---.
John 3:23 And John also was
baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they
came, and were baptized."
This ceremonial bath by immersion in water is the true pattern for baptism.
"Eph 4:5 One Lord, one
faith, one baptism,"
All other so-called baptisms are counterfeits. Water baptism is one of
the mandatory ceremonies of the Bible.
Jesus Christ humbled
himself and took the water baptism to fulfill all righteousness.
"Matt 3:13 Then cometh
Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John,
to be baptized of him. 14
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou
to me? 15 And Jesus
answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered
him."
God the Father was
well pleased in the baptism of Jesus Christ, he baptized him with the Holy
Ghost, and called him beloved Son.
"Matt 3:16 And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from
heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
The
same thing is promised to the believers also.
"Acts
2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost."
The Word of God asks
us to follow his steps of humble obedience, which includes water baptism.
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. If we desire to receive
grace and to become beloved children of God, we should follow the steps of
Jesus, even in water baptism. "1 Peter
2:21 For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that
ye should follow his steps:"
The great commission
of Jesus Christ is recorded in the gospel of Matthew as follows.
"Matt 28:19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:
20 Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
always---. Amen."
Let us see the same great commission of Jesus Christ as it is recorded in the gospel of
Mark. "Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. 16
He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned." In these, Jesus Christ gave two
commissions and made
one declaration to his disciples.
(1)
Preach the gospel.
"Matt
28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you:"
The disciples should teach all the things that
Jesus Christ has commanded them to do, which is the gospel. The teaching of
water baptism should be included in the gospel since Jesus Christ has commanded
them to baptize.
(2) Baptize them.
"Matt
28:19
Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:"
Jesus Christ says that as they preach the gospel, they
also baptize the believers. They should baptize them
"in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
(3)
Declaration. "Mark
16:16 He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that
believeth not shall be damned."
Jesus Christ implies that those who believe him will take the baptism and
impostors will not take the baptism. Then he made a declaration saying that
those who do not believe him, including the impostors, shall be damned.
"John 6:47 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life."
The same implication applies in the above verse also. Those who believe Jesus
Christ will obey what he says. They will take water baptism
and will be led to eternal life. A person who says that he/she
believe Jesus Christ as the Lord, but will not obey what Jesus says, that
person is not a believer, but a liar and an impostor. Liars will have no part in
everlasting life. "Rev
21:8 -- and all
liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death."
Acts 16:29 Then he called
for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and
Silas, 30 And
brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And
they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his
house. 33 And he
took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Paul and Silas
spoke the word of the Lord so that those people may believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ. They believed and took the water baptism for
their salvation.
By this, we know that Apostle Paul was teaching water baptism while he
was speaking the word of the Lord and that is why those who heard the word
of God took water baptism. So water baptism is the first step in the preaching
the word of the Lord. Believers of the Lord Jesus Christ should obey in
taking water baptism for their salvation.
Acts 8:34 And the eunuch
answered Philip --- 35
Then Philip --- preached unto him Jesus. 36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all
thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ
is the Son of God. 38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the
water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up
out of the water, -
Philip was preaching
Jesus Christ to the eunuch. As they saw a pool of water, the eunuch requested
Philip to baptize him. By this, we know that the teaching of water baptism
was included in the preachings of Jesus Christ. As Philip has
done it, we must also teach water baptism as we preach Jesus Christ.
Water baptism is part of the life of Jesus Christ as well as the part of the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:12 But when they
believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Philip was preaching
the kingdom of God to the people. Those who believed took water baptism. By
this, we know that the teaching of water baptism was included in the
preachings of the kingdom of God. Therefore, as we preach the
kingdom of God, we must also teach water baptism because it is included
in the kingdom message. According to the Bible and according to Jesus Christ, we
cannot enter into the kingdom of God without taking water baptism.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
When Jesus Christ has
commanded his disciples to preach the gospel, he has commanded them to
baptize those who believe. Those who do not believe they will not take water
baptism and they will be damned. There will be no salvation for them. Those who
do not take water baptism are not the followers of Jesus Christ. Water baptism
is an integral part of the gospel.
"Luke 20:3
And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer
me:
4 The baptism of John, was
it from heaven, or of men?" Jesus Christ pointed to the Pharisees
that water baptism is from heaven.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto
you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John
the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29 And all the people
that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with
the baptism of John. 30
But the
Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against
themselves, being not baptized of him. 31
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and
to what are they like?
32 They are like unto
children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying,
We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye
have not wept. 33
For
John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say,
He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is
come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a
winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35 But wisdom is
justified of all her children.
The Bible says water
baptism is the counsel of God. Even by different methods, both John the
Baptist and Jesus Christ could not convince the ungodly people about water
baptism. The representation of religious people rejected baptism for their
own condemnation. Even now, we cannot convince the religious people, but the
children of God will justify the wisdom of God by obeying in the water baptism.
"Luke 18:15
And they brought unto him also infants, that he
would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they
rebuked them. 16
But Jesus called them unto him, and
said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of
such is the kingdom of God." Almost every
church has child dedication service. In the service the parents promise
God that they will raise the baby in godly ways.
Some churches wet the baby with water in the
ceremony of dedication and call it baptism. Even though it is not a
baptism, for baptism is bath by immersion, this ceremony is called as
infant baptism. If it just stays as a ceremony, it may not do any harm.
But, the churches that give infant baptism believe that if any child dies
before the baptism, it goes to hell and those who took infant baptism will
go to heaven. This is a very deceptive doctrine.
The
spiritual circumcision by Jesus Christ and the spiritual effect of water
baptism are the same (you
may
read # 21). Infant baptism advocates pick up this passage (Col
2:10-13) to equate circumcision with baptism and derive that since babies
are given circumcision, it is proper to give baptism also to babies. It is
erroneous logic. It is a twist from the scripture. Here, the subject is
the spiritual circumcision done on a believer by the resurrected Lord
Jesus Christ, whereas they compare the circumcision done on babies by the
Jews.
However, there are a few references from the
Bible that may be read into infant baptism. Let us see those verses to
analyze whether infant baptism included in them or not.
(1). "Acts
10:44 While Peter yet spake these words,
the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of
the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the
Holy Ghost. 46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter, 47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he
commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord."
Apostle Peter is the first apostle who baptized the gentiles. We may say
that he baptized all in the house of Cornelius. However, he discerned
those, who were approved of God, which heard the word of God that was
preached. This description will not fit the infants in the house and so we
know that the infants were not baptized.
(2). "Acts
16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a
seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard
us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things
which were spoken of Paul. 15
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us…
Acts 16:32
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house. 33
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
1 Cor 1:16 And
I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not
whether I baptized any other." Many
churches stray away from the Bible truth and they use the name of Paul for
leverage, whereas Paul and Barnabas went to apostles and elders at
Jerusalem for critical matters (Acts 15:2, 16:4,5, etc). Peter was the
leader of the apostles, who was appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ. So, it
is proper to follow the pattern set by Peter, which was also approved by
Jerusalem Council. The Holy Ghost approved those who heard the word at the
house of Cornelius and they were baptized. Here, if we assume that the
household of Lydia, Stephan and the Jailor have not heard the word of God
before their baptism, we are wrong, since the command to the apostles was
to preach the word and to baptize. If we assume that the infants heard the
word of God, it is another mistake. So, if we are not the advocates of
infant baptism, we know that the infants in these households were not
included in baptism. "Matt
19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little
children, and forbid them not…" The
parents could have brought the children to the apostles and they could
have blessed them.
Jesus
Christ commands his disciple to teach people and baptize the believers.
"Matt
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: 20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; …" Peter and
other apostles baptize believers calling for repentance.
"Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." If this is
baptism, infants cannot be baptized since they can neither be taught nor
do they believe nor repent. As they are taught, repented, and
believed, they must be baptized.
"Acts
10:34 Then Peter
opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons:
35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted
with him."
God looks into the hearts of everybody and he chooses the righteous
people for himself. "Acts
2:41 Then they
that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added
unto them about three thousand souls.
42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers --
47 -- And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." The Holy Spirit
reveals the word of God to the chosen to help them obey God. They will obey
in water baptism. God will join them in the church where the Holy Spirit
will teach them the doctrine of Jesus Christ and give them the power of the Holy
Ghost.
Jesus Christ himself will sanctify and cleanse this
church with his word. He will purify this church to be holy and without spot or
blemish. "Eph
5:26 That he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
This church must grow spiritually and
should put on Christ. We shall see Christ in them. Now they are
baptized into Christ.
"Gal 3:27 For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." This Church will be the
bride of Christ. This is the true Spiritual Church that is seated in heaven
with Christ.
"John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God....
5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus believes Jesus. Jesus Christ insists that a person must be 'born
again' in order to see the kingdom of God. In this context 'born again' means
'born of water' and 'born of the Spirit.' Here, 'born of water' refers to
'water baptism' and 'born of the spirit' refers to the receiving of
'spirit of man', which is the 'spirit of life,' which is
the life of the soul. If we truly believe Jesus Christ for our salvation,
we will do what he asks us to do. As we do what he asks, which is to obey him
in water baptism also, God gives us the 'spirit of man', which is the
'spirit of life.' Those who have not received the 'spirit of man', God
considers them as spiritually dead.
When a person is born, he/she is born with flesh and soul,
but not with the spirit, which is the spirit of man.
"John 3:6 -- which
is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. 1Cor 2:11
-- what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is
in him?--" Jesus Christ teaches that
a person must be born a second time with the spirit. When a person truly obeys
Christ, he gives the person the spirit, which is the 'spirit of man.'
Now we are 'born of
the spirit,' by which our dead souls become living souls. Being 'born of
water' and 'born of the spirit', now we are 'born again.' So now we can
see, with our spirit man, the Kingdom of God. Since a person has obeyed God and
received the 'spirit of life', he/she is truly spiritual and is lead by
the Holy Spirit. As the person continues to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit
through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will lead the person into the deeper
spiritual life of Jesus Christ, which is to enter into the kingdom of God, while
living on this earth.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of
Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened,
that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when
she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If
ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide
there. And she constrained us.
God opens the heart
of sincere humble people. They understand the significance of water
baptism.
God is not opening the hearts of religious people. It maybe because they
think they know it all, while they are twisting the word of God to suit their
own understanding.
"Mark 16:15
--- he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. 16 He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved;---" Many preachers say that those
who are saved shall be baptized. But the word of God says that he that he
who is baptized shall be saved. Sure, baptism is one of the
conditions to be saved. Without baptism, there is no salvation.
"1Peter 3:20
--- in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water. 21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us..."
Does the word of God say that baptism has nothing to do with our
salvation, OR does it say that baptism doth also now save us?
Those who believe the word of God, if they have desire to be saved, they will
take water baptism.
"John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
The ceremonial meaning
of 'born of water' is water baptism, even though it has another deeper meaning.
Receiving the 'spirit of man' is 'born of the Spirit.' However, nobody can enter
into heaven without water baptism.
"Acts 2:38
--- Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, ---" Many preachers say that
nobody have to be baptized for the remission of sins. But the word of God says
that every one of you must be baptized for the remission of sins.
This means that without baptism there will be no remission of sins. However,
water baptism is just one of a few conditions for the remission of our sins.
Therefore, be baptized also, along with other conditions, for the remission of
your sins.
"Acts 22:16 --- now
why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord."
Many preachers laugh at the principle of washing away our sins by
water baptism. They say that just the ceremony of water baptism will not wash
away sins whereas the word of God tells us to be baptized and wash away our
sins. This also means that our sins will not be forgiven without
baptism.
"Col
2:11 In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of
the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in
baptism,.." Water baptism is
explained as the burial of the believer with Jesus Christ, which is also
explained as Jesus cuts the body of sin and throws it away. This is how
the body of sin is removed and Christ is united. As a ceremony, like a
marriage, water baptism is the vow of God that he removes your body of sin from
you and your vow that you unite with Christ. Because you are baptized, now
you are buried with him in baptism.
"2Tim 2:11
... For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:"
Those who look forward to be with him in heaven will take water baptism.
However, there is always
exemption
for most things. Water baptism also has
exemption.
"Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him (one of the malefactor), Verily I say unto thee, To day
shalt thou be with me in paradise." This
malefactor, who was nailed to the cross, had the
exemption
from the water baptism, since his cross did not let him go to take the water
baptism. Whoever are in such a predicament, can apply this exemption. But God
will take vengeance on the disobedient at the time of his righteous judgment.
"2Thess
1:8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and
that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
Acts 2:37 Now when they
heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to
the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto
them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God
shall call. 40
And with many other words did he testify and
exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.
Water baptism is
required even to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Apostle Peter tells
believers to save themselves from the untoward generation, who stood against
water baptism, so that God may save them from their sins. Those who have
accepted the calling of God will gladly receive the word of God and
will eagerly obey in water baptism to obtain the promise of God. But there
will always be rebellious people.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto
them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the
baptism of repentance, --- that they should believe on him which should come
after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon
them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Matt 1:21
--- call his name JESUS: for he shall save his
people from their sins.
Paul baptized the believers a second time
so that they may receive the gifts and the Holy Ghost. Believers must take
the true baptism of Jesus Christ. Repentance of sins and the belief in the
Lord Jesus Christ, who can save them from their sins, must precede the
true baptism. All other baptisms are false baptisms. They are the
tradition of men and rebellion against God.
Matt 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 19:5
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.
The above two verses are in the word of God. We
cannot reject one to choose the other, but we must accept both of them. As
the Lord Jesus Christ commands the disciples to
baptize, he gives instructions how to baptize a person. The
disciples obey the Lord and give baptism "in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
The event was recorded as
"they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus" to mean that they were giving water
baptism in the authority given to them by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The first one is the instruction how to baptize a
believer and the second is the recording
of the information. God’s word will not contradict in itself, but the
devil will try to confuse people as he confused Eve. If we love the truth, we
will not believe the lies of the devil.
Acts 19:2
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they
said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye
baptized?
Apostle Paul asked them
"Have ye received the Holy Ghost."
They replied, "We have
not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."
Please notice that they have not even heard the name
of the Holy Ghost. Immediately the apostle asked the next question,
"Unto what then were ye baptized?"
The truth is that if they have not heard the name of
the Holy Ghost, they have not taken the true baptism. The true baptism is the
one given in the name of the Holy Ghost along with the name of the
Father and the Son. That is, they were not baptized
"in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
So, they did take the baptism again
"in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost." The book of Acts records the
incident as "they were baptized in the name of
the Lord Jesus" because they were giving the baptism in the authority
that Jesus Christ has given them.
Acts 19:4
Then said Paul,
John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the
people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is,
on Christ Jesus.
According to the above verse John the Baptist
baptized people by mentioning just the name of Jesus Christ only,
"John verily baptized ---saying unto the people, that they
should believe --- on Christ Jesus." This baptism is called the
baptism of repentance. This baptism was the 'Jesus only baptism' and was
done away with, because the purpose of the ministry was only to prepare the way
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In short, John the Baptist gave the Jesus only
baptism, which is obsolete. The disciples of Jesus Christ gave baptism in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Since they were
baptizing in the authority that Jesus Christ has given them, it was recorded as
it was given in the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet
spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them, which heard the word.
45 And they of the
circumcision, which believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received
the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they
him to tarry certain days.
God told Peter to baptize them in water by pouring the Holy
Ghost upon them. Water baptism is the right and privilege of a believer,
who believe the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Apostle Peter commanded the gentile believers should be baptized, even
though he knew that he would be confronted.
Matt 3:5 Then went out to
him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him
in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said
unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? 8 Bring forth
therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Baptism of John was
for forgiveness of sins. In order to receive the baptism of John, people
had to repent, reconcile and confess their sins. John the Baptist demanded from
the religious people, who had a form of godliness, that they should bring
proof for repentance for baptism.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of
life. 5 For if we
have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in
the likeness of his resurrection:
Jesus Christ
commissioned his disciples to give water baptism for salvation from sins.
Baptism of Jesus Christ requires the believers to commit their life to walk in
the newness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If John the Baptist demanded
proof for repentance to give his baptism, how much more the baptism of Jesus
Christ should demand proofs for repentance, for belief and also for commitment?
Col 2:10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are
risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses:
God’s word explains our immersion
in water baptism to the burial of our body of sin, which is our sinning nature.
That is, as we immerse in baptism, Jesus Christ spiritually cuts off the body of sin,
which is nature of the flesh. It is known as the spiritual circumcision of Christ.
Again, God explains our coming out of the water as our resurrection, not with
the old body of sin, but with a new body of life with the presence of Christ. Though
it is a ceremony, by faith through
the operation of God, we have a newness of life by the
mysterious working of God in us. After the baptism, having our sins forgiven, we
should live a holy life as of the life of Jesus Christ because of the
supernatural power of God.
Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto
perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God, 2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and ---
Matt 7:26 And every one
that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened
unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27
--- the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:
and great was the fall of it.
God advises the
believers to build above the foundation of the principles of the doctrine of
Christ. However, they have to lay the foundation strong in order to build the
house upon it. The doctrine of baptisms is an integral part of the foundation of
which water baptism is the primary one. We have not started the
foundation until we obey in water baptism. If we build a house on the sand of
disobedience and not on the rock of obedience, it will fall and the fall
will be a great fall.
"Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we,
that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Apostle Paul rebukes
believers who took water baptism but still live in sin. He demands proof
for their commitments.
"Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life. 5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be
also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Baptism has two
elements, which have two symbolic meanings. (1)
We immerse under water. Our going under water represents the death and
burial of our body of sin. Symbolically we should burry this body of sin
under the water and we should not bring it out of the water. (2) We
come out of water. Our coming out of water represents the resurrection of
our
body of life, which is spirit in the likeness of Christ, which has the
newness of life.
"Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Since this body is not the body of sin, it should not commit sin. Now, we are
dead to sin but we live for righteousness.
Symbolically, we are dead with Christ and if we are dead with him we also
live with him.
"Romans 6:7 For he
that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that
we shall also live with him:" Water baptism is the ceremonial commitment
of our life and the symbolic supernatural exchange of
our body of sin for the body of life. According to the sincerity
of the commitment of the believer, God will do his marvelous work. The
supernatural exchange is sure if our commitment is genuine. Then the person who
comes out of the water will be the true newborn (born again)
person.
Water baptism is like
a ceremony of marriage. As the bride commits her life to the groom to live for
him and with him, as the bride of Christ, we should commit our life to
Christ to live for him and with him by this ceremony. Most religious people
think that they are living together with Christ without the ceremony of
marriage, which is water baptism. They are deceiving themselves. Jesus Christ
does not live together with any disobedient person. Those who do not take water
baptism may have a form of godliness, but they are not true followers of Jesus
Christ.
John 12:39
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath
blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with
their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them.
Most theologians
and religious people are confused and are ashamed of water baptism. There is no
verse in the Bible cautioning against water baptism. Yet they preach as if the
word of God is against water baptism. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in his last
commission, told his disciples to preach the gospel baptizing the believers.
Many preachers argue that Jesus Christ was not telling his disciples about water
baptism, just because he did not mention the word 'water.' They bring so many
kinds of silly arguments against the water baptism for no reason. They do not
even realize the fact that Jesus Christ proclaimed damnation for those
who do not believe him to obey in the water baptism.
Acts 13:8 But Elymas the
sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn
away the deputy from the faith. 9
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his
eyes on him, 10 And
said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil,
thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right
ways of the Lord? 11
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be
blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist
and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Probably Elymas the
sorcerer could have done the same thing with full of subtlety and mischief
preventing the deputy from taking water baptism. As Elymas has done, these
preachers are also perverting the right ways of the Lord. As Elymas was blinded,
God also has blinded the hearts of these preachers so that they shall never be
converted.
Phil 2:5 Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:---
12 Wherefore, my
beloved, as ye
have always obeyed,
--- work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
1Peter 2:21 For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps:
We Christians
should follow the example set by Jesus Christ. If we do, we will take water
baptism since Jesus Christ took water baptism and pleased the Father.
With the baptism, God will join us in his church. Then God will reveal
his gospel to us. Then we will become his disciples and we will abide with him.
Thus Jesus Christ saves us. Water baptism unites us with Christ ceremonially,
with the purpose that we should live our life for him. Be baptized and be
blessed.
God Bless You
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