Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- February 1, 2012
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Baptism is a bold declaration of a personal belief in Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward conversion. Baptism is symbolic of an individual Christian (normally a new believer) burying their old way of life and coming alive in Christ. Jesus commands baptism for His children. He knows the accountability, the encouragement and the love that accompanies this act of obedience.
Who is a candidate for baptism? If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior your next step is to follow the example of Jesus and be baptized. He modeled the way of humble submission—when as the Son of God—He insisted on being baptized by another. Baptism identifies you with God’s forever family of faith.
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38
What happens if a believer is not baptized? You don’t miss heaven, but you miss the blessing of hearing your Heavenly Father say, “This is my child in whom I am well pleased.” Baptism brands you a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ. Your public display of gratitude and glory to God will help another make a private commitment to Christ. It is a formal declaration of your dependence on Jesus for grace and forgiveness.
A house of faith is a home where the father takes the lead and models baptism to his spouse and children. Jesus was an adult believer when he announced His allegiance to Almighty God. In most cases, as the father goes in his commitment to Christ, so goes the family. Baptism is not to be taken lightly, as your Lord Jesus took it very seriously. So, seek out a trusted church and publically display your death to self, and new life in Christ.
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.” Acts 16:29b-33
How can I value and celebrate baptism with my Lord, my family and my friends?
Related Readings: Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:11-13; Galatians 3:26-28
Post/Tweet this today: Baptism identifies you with God’s forever family of faith. #baptism #obedience
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This message is Scripturally inaccurate. Water baptism was a physical practice that was initiated by John the Baptist for the remission of sins of the Jewish people, in preparation for their promised Kingdom which was at hand (Matthew 3:1). The Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
Why did Jesus not tell the ones He healed to go be water baptized?
Why did Paul not give us direction to be water baptized after the Jewish Counsel met either.
Water baptism is a physical practice that has been used to separate and divide, causing confusion and conflict in The Church for about 2000 years. Is it so hard to believe that God wants us to know Mercy, not rituals?
How many times do you get to be baptized? I was water baptized at another church because that was what I was suppose to do. I now have a genuine true love for God. Does that baptism still count or do I need to be baptized again?
I believe that water baptism is a totally Jewish ritual and not for us as Gentiles in the Body of Christ today in the Church Age. I believe we are baptized into Christ death, the minute we believe that gospel for salvation which is His death, burial, and resurrection. ( I Corinthians 15:1-4) There is no water involved in this. No doubt I agree with the writer that we should be bold about our personal salvation but that surely doesn’t mean we need to fall back on the Law and this Jewish ritual. We should want as believers to be bold 24/7. As a Grace Age believer, I am bold for my Lord and Savior and am daily looking for the Blessed Hope of the Rapture of the Body of Christ. Thank you.
If water baptism was for the remission of sins for the Jews, why did Jesus choose to be baptised, when he is He who new no sin?
O.K. Yes the Jews practiced baptism, however this is not a continuation of the law. Jesus very clearly said “Joh 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.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ! Do you notice that Jesus says that you cannot enter His Kingdom if you are not born of the water? Clearly this is speaking of water baptism.
Here in Mark His language is very strong. Mar 16:16
(16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. That is pretty straight forward preaching. Believeth what? That you must be born of the water! Baptism is for the the remission of sin. NO sin will enter into the presence of our Holy God. Act 2:38
(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 you want to see how the apostles obeyed Jesus’ teachings concerning preaching the gospel and how people were added to the church we cannot ignore the book of acts.
Act 10:47-48
(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.
Here we see the water birth and it is not just a nice addendum to salvation, IT IS A COMMAND!
Act 19:3-5
(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, saying unto the people, 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.
Look at that. These folks were baptized by John the baptist. I guess their Jewish traditionalist baptism did not cut it perhaps.
No not at all. They were people that had a heart for God and the things of God. When Paul reminded them that John the Baptist said that they should believe on Jesus they knew that they needed to update their spiritual experience and be RE baptized in JESUS NAME!!!! There is something for you to pray about as well. Then just read again and obey it. You will never regret taking on the name of Jesus in baptism. It is His blood that remits our sins, our faith in His cleansing blood that is applied to our sin stained lives when we go down in the water in His Name. Act 4:12
(12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Well there you have it…….I sure would not waste any time if God has touched your heart from what you now know. The next move is yours.
Baptism (being born of the water) is His way.
In His Death we (die) repent of our sins
In His Burial we (are buried) in a watery grave of baptism
In His resurrection (we have new life) are filled with the Holy Ghost just like they did in Acts 10:44-45 Acts 19:6
I was compelled to unsubscribe from “Wisdom Hunters” devotionals due to today’s not so wise comments re: Water Baptism. My “identity” with Christ and His being “pleased” with me will never be based on water, as the author claims — but only on faith in Him, my contrite heart, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to indwell me that cleanses me from sin. True “Baptism” means to placed into and never taken out. Not possible with water after Christ fulfilled all “requirements” on the Calvary Cross.