**Romans 6**
Verse 4
*
Therefore we have been buried
with Him
through baptism into death,
in order that as
Christ
was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father,
so we too might walk in newness
of life.
(Soul Winner's New American Standard New Testament)
******************************************************
Grace be unto you from me, my beloved Christian brothers & sisters. Giving God the glory & praise once more through this group of believers. Take out some time in your daily schedule to thank Him for all He has done for you. Wishing that all of you had a nice time in reflection on Father's day. My daughter surprised me with a photo, taken with her as a child of 5, she had it blown up & presented it to me & my son & grandson thanked me for being their parent. No amount of monetary means could take the place of those moments. May those of you who share a sentiment each week continue to do so, for it is a blessing to read such wonderful testimonies. Friends, I would like to speak to you this week about baptism. There is so much confusion about this subject, as I always say, just go to the Bible & see what the Word says about it.
For this brings me to my topic this week:
(It Is Good To Get Wet)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note the meaning of the word baptize: "to dip in or under water". This verb is found 74 times in the New Testament. The word baptism: "means to immerse or the act of immersing, a noun found 22 times in the New Testament. "Baptized" the word baptism signifies a washing, particularly when it is done by immersion, dipping, or plunging a thing under water. The baptism of a believer by immersion tells the Good News.
"God's Message"
This immersion of a believer in water represent their death to sin, & then rise up out of the water, to signify their entrance upon a new life. In this act, by a kind of analogy, while our bodies are under the water, we may be said to be buried with Him.
A common conflict about this subject is:
" how & why should we be baptized"
We are to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus arrived at Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent Him, but Jesus answered him saying,
"Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for US to fulfill all righteousness".
After this John permitted Him.
(Matthew 3:15)
Jesus said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him follow me. The believer in Christ must obediently follow his Lord in baptism of water to obey the command of Christ. Peter asked: "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he"?
Then he ordered them to be baptized. Cornelius & his group were saved after this, hearing Peter preach the Gospel.
(Acts 10:47-48)
~~Thank You Lord~~
Baptism is a symbol or a picture of something that has taken place in one's heart which cannot be outwardly observed when a person is saved. There are several aspects of baptism:
Baptism is a "picture" of the Gospel showing symbolically the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(I Corinthians 15:1-4)
Baptism always follows belief in Jesus Christ as one's Savior.
It is not an act of salvation. The Bible does not refer to baptism as a sacrament or as a part of salvation, but presents baptism as a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(Topic Verse)
Baptism beautifully pictures the death, burial and resurrection and by putting a person under the water which strikingly emphasizes the burial of Christ, followed by being raised out of the water symbolizing Christ's resurrection.
Baptism is a visual testimonial that our sins are forgiven by symbolizing they are buried with the Lord after he suffered and died for our sins on the Cross.
As
(Romans 6:2)
says we are dead to sins and Colossians adds that believers are alive unto Christ with God.
(Colossians 3:3)
The authority and command to baptize is given by the Lord Jesus Christ in
(Matthew 28:19-20)
to His disciples as an ordinance of the local church which was begun on the Day of Pentecost as
(Acts 2)
records.
He commanded that His disciples are to disciple all nations (peoples), and to baptize those that believe as a picture and testimony of their faith, in trust, in Christ.
It was not given to a particular church, but to all Bible believing New Testament churches alike.
A baptism that is scriptural, is one that is done in a Bible believing church.
(Acts 2:41-47)
records that when the church was formed, those that believed were baptized and added to the church [local assembly].
Many have greatly misunderstood baptism and changed its true meaning.
Some see baptism as an act of salvation.
O dear friends,
It is not!
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
emphatically teach, that salvation is given by God's grace, when a person by faith believes and stresses that salvation is not merited by any work which would include baptism.
For by grace you are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Baptism is an act or work and the New Testament teaches that works do not save or have any saving merit.
(Romans 4:5; Titus 3:5)
Baptism, church membership, nor any good works does not impart salvation. Salvation is an act of God, when we by faith accept the free gift of salvation. A performed work offered to God for Him to accept for our salvation is in fact asking God to accept our works, not Christ's sacrifice for our redemption.
Christ died on the cross and paid the sin debt of the world.
(I Epistle John 2:2)
The debt is already paid by Christ and He is offering to forgive our sins if we believe and put our trust in His provision of our salvation. Saying that baptism saves is saying that we are adding to what Christ did in suffering for our sins and providing in part our own salvation. Of course, man is a sinner and cannot offer anything to God by doing ANYTHING as an offering for his sin. A man who believes by faith in Jesus Christ is accepting Christ's suffering and sacrifice for his sins.
Some believe further that baptism imparts some special status with God. That too is not found in the Bible and is a false belief.
Some churches practice infant baptism. Yet in the Bible there is no record or mention of anyone being baptized who had not already professed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. An infant has not learned to talk & most importantly, has not come to know Jesus Christ as their own personal saviour. Those who practice infant baptism, believe their church is the means of salvation. In other words, you have to join, and be a member of their church to be saved and go to heaven. That simply is not taught ANYWHERE in the Bible. The church is an assembly of baptized believers who meet to worship, be taught and honor the Lord.
Not because we merit it, but because Christ, died in our place, and we have freely received salvation which was freely given.
*Am I Right About It*
*We are a part of his death*
(Hebrews 2:14-15)
How do we know this for sure?
(I Corinthians 10:2)
states that the children of Israel were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They were identified with Moses who was a servant of God. Because of their belief in God, they went down into the Red Sea and their action of following Moses showed their faith. It was their faith in God and the miracle of God's parting the Red Sea that saved them.
(Acts 8:26-39)
the Eunuch asked to be baptized. When the Eunuch desired to be baptized Philip said to him, "If thou believeth with all thine heart", thou mayest. The eunuch confessed he did believe and was then baptized. Note that in verse 38, they went down into the water. Clearly this is baptism by immersion.
If a lost man is baptized then it is a picture of a lie. Because a lost man who is baptized by the symbolism is saying he is confessing he believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior when in fact he does not.
The Biblical mode of Baptism is to be immersed.
Sprinkling, pouring, etc., are NOT biblical modes of baptism.
"Dear Friends, this is God's Word, not mine"
OK!
These practices do not picture the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
Any other mode of baptism makes light of the death and resurrection of Christ. Those that practice these false methods of baptism have not obeyed the first commandment of their professed Lord. All other types of baptism are incorrect. God choose the method to be a picture of the Gospel, what the person who is being baptized is identifying himself with.
Baptism is to be done in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Biblical baptisms are those that are done by true Bible believing churches that follow the New Testament as its sole rule and authority for its faith and practice. God has not given any church or individual the right to change what He put in place and instructed.
Baptism is the symbol of our common bond and shows our commitment to the Lord first and to each other.
(II Corinthians 5:17)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Pray for one another in the uplifting of spirit & healing & if this has been a beacon of light for any of you, send me a note of reflection. As always if any of you wish to be opted from this list, please send me a note, in that, I can delete your name, as I wish not to offend anyone.
May God always walk with you & you with God.
Peace
Don
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