One Baptism

By -

"He who believes and is baptised shall be saved" (Mk 16:16a)


Water Baptism is not an invention of a man or a Church. God the Father instituted it (Jn 1:33). God the Son commanded it (Mt 28:19). The apostles inspired by God the Holy Spirit instructed the believers to be baptised (Acts 2:38). The early Church consistently practised it (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18; 10:47). The only person who never needed to be baptised was Jesus. Even John tried to prevent Him. But Jesus said that it was to "fulfil all righteousness" (Mt 3:15).

No spiritual experience is a substitute for water baptism. Cornelius the military official had his prayers answered and alms approved before God. He was even baptised with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. But Apostle Peter "commanded" that he must be baptised in water (Acts 10:1,2,45,46,48).

Water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience. It is a testimony of our identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-6). In baptism we symbolically say, "I die to sin and am buried with Christ (as I submerge under water), and I am raised with Christ to live for God anew (as I come out of water)." Baptism should not be thought of as a ritual (1 Pet 3:21). In Baptism we make a pledge with the Triune God, saying, "From here and now I belong to You!" The Gospel message is portrayed in the ordinance of Baptism. It marks a new beginning. Ananias told Paul, "Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the Name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

One should be baptised immediately after receiving Christ as his personal Saviour. The three thousand Jews who received Christ on the Day of Pentecost were baptised the same day (Acts 2:41). The Philippian jailor was baptised the same night when he believed on Christ (Acts 16:33). Do not postpone baptism which is a "counsel" of God (Lk 7:30). Delayed obedience amounts to disobedience.

No baptism, whatever be the mode, before personal conversion to Christ is valid. Where is burial before death? After a nominal Christian or a non-Christian repents to the "One Father" and believes on the "One Lord," he must obey in the "One Baptism" as a testimony to his "One Faith" (Eph 4:5).


O what do we see? "It's only water" say we?
It would bring ruin; deny the Lord's Word, should we?
It's only they who see with both eyes clearly,
Who hold water and Spirit baptisms equally!   

 Courtesy : http://www.stanleyonbible.com/dd/daily_devotions.php

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Voice

By -
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches"  (Rev 3:13)  Precious Child, I want to bring you out of your apprehensions to witness for Christ. You are afraid that people might mock at you. Your throat chokes every time you want to open your mouth to share the Gospel. The fear of ridicule silences you. Don't feel bad about it, My child. This was the problem of the disciples of Jesus also even though they had walked with Him for over three years. Can you imagine how a key figure like Peter could ever deny and disown Christ? Their weakness overpowered their willingness. The problem was solved by My coming. That's why Jesus wouldn't let them go out until they got filled with My power (Acts 1:4). When I came upon them, the cowards became challengers! Be filled with Me. Don't consider your timidity or boast of your oratory skill. Depend on Me. I will grant you boldness in all situations to speak forth the message of the Cros...
Read more

Utter Confusion!

By -
"They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  But you keep your head in all situations" (2 Tim 4:4,5) I am an ardent fan of John the Baptist. There is no harm in admiring him because all who started as John's fans became Jesus' followers. A comparison of John with many Christian ministers of today makes me hang down my head in shame and sorrow.  John was filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (Lk 1:15); but the modern prophets communicate with the spirits of men who have gone to the tomb.  The Word of God came to him (Lk 3:2); but many of their revelations contradict the written Word of God.  He was a desert-dweller, dead to the lust for popularity (Mt 3:1); but they are city-lovers, hunting for recognition and lusting limelight.  John was a voice from God (Jn 1 :23); but the modern preachers are an echo of someone of similar brand.  He did not seek pulpits but people sought him and...
Read more