Water Baptism

The author defines water baptism by using Jesus’ example. Jesus was fully submerged into the water by John the Baptist. Full immersion is what we practice also, according to the Scriptures.

Even though Jesus was perfect and did not do anything wrong, He was still baptized by his cousin John in the Jordan River. This was to show Israel that He was the One they had been waiting for, the Messiah. During Jesus’ baptism, the Father sent the Holy Spirit, like a dove, not just to touch down and go back to heaven but to come down and remain with Jesus. God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit intertwined to battle against satan our enemy.

In order to understand why we practice baptism by water, we need to understand the fullness of the gospel. The author goes all the way back to the beginning of creation, teaching the fall of man, and how God redeems us through Jesus Christ. This is the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Fall of Humans

Adam and Eve were the first man and woman that God created. Their world was perfect and was a great place to live. They walked and talked with God. He was their friend. However, something sad happened that ruined their perfect world; through a lie from satan and disobedience to God, sin entered the world. God’s only rule was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan twisted God’s words and Eve believed satan over God. She ate from that tree and gave some to Adam to eat also.

Sin and Sacrifice

Sin makes our hearts dirty. The problem with being sinful is that God is Holy, so we cannot be around Him when we sin. God had to kick them out of the garden, because He loved them and did not want them to eat from the tree of life and live eternally with sin. All choices, good and bad have consequences, and the consequence of sin is separation from God and also death. But, God was working behind the scenes to make another way to reconcile us to Himself again. God made the first sacrifice to cover their sin by covering their bodies with the skin of an animal. This was a temporary solution.

A New Better Way

The shedding of blood of a pure animal to forgive sins was the old covenant practice. For a long time this was the way it had to be, so people could talk to God and He could answer their prayers. But, God had a better plan, a new covenant, and He planned it from the moment Adam and Eve sinned. This better way is the gospel, meaning good news.

God Among Us

The author teaches about the birth of Jesus through the miraculous impregnation of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. Jesus grew as a human but was also God. He would preach in the Temple throughout His life but would not start His full ministry until after He was baptized by John in the Jordan River. He was fully God because He was born of the Holy Spirit, and He was fully human because He was born of a woman. He suffered as we suffer, so He can empathize with what we are going through. He was tempted as we are, but He did not sin. He fully relied on the Father and did not use His own powers but got everything from God the Father, becoming a servant in the likeness of man.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jesus was killed on the cross. The consequence of sin is death. Satan thought he had won, but Jesus was without sin, so He came back to life. There would no longer be need for temporary animal sacrifice. Jesus’ blood was better than the animal sacrifice, because it would take away the sins of mankind (not simply cover their sins.) Jesus became the final permanent sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. So now the new covenant (agreement) between God and man is, “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 (KJV 1611)

Jesus told the disciples that it was good for Him to go so another could come. He promised to send the Holy Spirit who is the presence of God. He came down after Jesus left in a mighty way in the upper room; this was the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit would give the friends of Jesus power to live Holy lives and obey everything Jesus said. Even today the Holy Spirit lives inside everyone who makes the choice to follow Jesus and gives us the power to obey and do great things for God.

Water baptism is an act of obedience. In Jesus’ final command, called the Great Commission, He tells them to teach all nations, and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Therefore when we are baptized, we are being obedient to Christ’s command.

It is also a symbol of our confession. Peter compares our baptism to the water that flooded the earth in the days of Noah saving 8 people. Water baptism is a symbol of your confession in Jesus Christ that saves you too!

Water baptism is similar to a wedding ceremony. When a man and woman join in marriage, the wedding day is a symbol of their public confession of love and commitment to their spouse in front of all of their loved ones. In the same way, your water baptism is a public pledge to Jesus for the rest of your life.

It is a baptism of repentance. The water is a physical element representing a supernatural occurrence of your admitting to your sin and being renewed and cleansed from all unrighteousness. Jesus washes your sins away as you have asked Him to. It is by faith and your experience will be personal and spiritual.

It is a symbol of the cross. Being baptized into Jesus means that we are also baptized into His death with Him. So this means that we are buried with Him. Our dead unrighteous old man dies with Him.

It is a symbol of the resurrection. When you are being raised from the water, it is a representation of the resurrection. You are raised with Christ to your new life.

Water baptism does not save you from eternal hell. Jesus tells us that we are saved by simply receiving the gift that God gave us. If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins and came back to life, then you will be saved. This free gift is based solely on the works of Jesus Christ and not of our own doing. It is by faith.

Baptism is a public declaration. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you died to yourself (death to sin). At baptism, it is a public ceremony of your death to self and resurrection to life with Jesus.

Through one man’s disobedience (Adam), sin entered the world. Also through one man’s obedience (Jesus Christ), grace and justification abound to many! By the grace of God you have been justified through faith in Jesus. God’s grace is a free gift!

Jesus as our Example

After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John, the Holy Spirit immediately led Jesus into the wilderness. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. A the mountain top, satan would meet him and tempt him 3 times. Each time satan would entice Jesus to either gratify His flesh or operate outside of the Father’s will. With each temptation, Jesus would overcome satan by using the Word of God (Scripture), which is truth.

What about me?

Don’t be surprised in the coming weeks or months after water baptism, that you may com across temptations. When you do, imitate Christ by using the truth (the Word of God) to demolish any lies (temptations) that the enemy may throw at you. That means you should continue to learn the Scriptures so you may be armed in the coming days and years.

Staying Humble

Staying humble means to not think too highly or too lowly of yourselves, but to rest in our reliance on Jesus. Let Jesus teach you, for His ways are not burdensome.

A New Person In Christ

When you believed in the work of Jesus Christ, you became a new person. The Holy Spirit will give you the ability to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Jesus is the Narrow Gate

The life ahead of you is a beautiful blessed life, but it will not come easy. There is still pain, suffering and troubles in this fallen, broken world, but the Holy Spirit will guide you every step of the way. The narrow way that leads to life is your personal journey with the Lord and the narrow gate you will enter into eternity is through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be your guide.

Trials and Hardships

This narrow path will come with trials and hardships, but do not be discouraged. The Lord will use these difficult situations to do a might work in your heart building you up to be a mighty warrior.

Born for a Purpose

These earthly bodies will continue to fade over time, but our spirits will continually grow day by day. We will gain new heavenly bodies when this current body fails us. For Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us! But in the meantime, you were born in this generation, at this present time, for a very important purpose.

The Simple Life God Commands

The life that God asks us to live is not too far off or hard. The Lord wants us to learn His ways so we may walk in life and blessings. Jesus told us that all of the law and the prophets hang on the first two commandments. The top commandment is that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind. The second commandment is that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

“The simple life God commands is to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:6-8