16/10/09

Baptism of water

John 1:28,29 - These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.


There are some topics which cause a storm even today among believers and which we need to soon or later come to one understanding. Some of them are about creation (about Genesis 1 and 2), Sabbath Day, Bread or Communion, after dead where people go and another one to the list is Baptism.

The Lord has been teaching me and clearing all this topics in depth with me.

What I learnt from the Bible about baptism is that starting with Noah (floods), Abraham (circumcision), Moses (Red sea and pillar of cloud) and John the Baptist (baptism of repentance), all had a different type of baptism which was perfected in Jesus Christ. Each one took one step towards baptism in Jesus Christ.

Baptize comes from the Greek word 'Bapto' <911> which means 'to dip'. So people make it a point that baptism of water requires the person to be immersed in water. We also have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, in this case where do we immerse ourselves?

Water in baptism of water is like the rings which are exchanged between the bride and groom during marriage. In some marriages they do not use rings then is that marriage not valid? Does the ring define the marriage?

People also think water baptism is only for sinners then by that definition our salvation is made invalid, for Jesus took water baptism. If He had even one sin in Him our salvation is lost.

People need to really understand baptism and the different kinds of baptism. It is like one needs to know what marriage means and one's commitment to each other in marriage or learn over a period of time via mistakes.

You will notice in the scriptures although Jesus got Himself baptized in water by John, He Himself did not baptize anyone with water nor did He stop His disciples to do so, even though He always maintains that without baptism of water and Spirit one could not go to Heaven.

The Bible talks of water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit and baptism of fire. People add to this list Jesus' baptism of sorrow; I would also point to Paul' baptism of humility, Abraham' baptism of faith, Moses' baptism of authority, Job' baptism of righteousness etc. to that list.

Paul was the main instrument with doing away with circumcision of the male reproductive organ and said circumcision of heart was important. The circumcision of heart is to done by both males and females not just males.

I may have not given answers to what is water baptism is in today's mail but have raised a question. To have true relationship with the Lamb of God, let us ponder and pursue the true understanding. Unless we not understand all the baptisms in spirit and truth, we will learn through mistakes and experiences.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father God, You are Spirit and your Kingdom is Spiritual. The body dies but the spirit lives, therefore it is written that You are God of the living not of the dead. Lord, by your Spirit reveal to your people the truth that they may have a better relationship with You...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Matthew 3:11-17
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
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.
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.

Mark 1:4
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 3:16
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John 1:32-34
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Matthew 3:5-6
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.

John 3:5-6
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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 4:1-2
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Matthew 20:22-23
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Luke 12:49-50
49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Luke 2:21
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Acts 7:7-8
7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

Romans 2:25-29
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

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