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Baptism

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life"

John 6:40"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day"

John 12:44-46 "He who believes in me, believes not in me but in Him who sent me, and he who sees me, sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

Matthew 3:13 "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him."

Why did Jesus go to John to be baptized? It was definately not for salvation. Matthew Henry states in his 'Concise Commentary of the Bible' page676 "No outward forms can make us clean. No ordinances, by whomsoever administered,or after whatever mode, can supply the want of the power of the Holy Ghost and of Fire. The purifying and cleansing power of the Holy Spirit alone can produce that purity of heart, and those Holy affections, which accompany salvation. It is Christ who baptizes with the Holy Ghost----- This He does in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, given to those that ask him. see Luke 11:13, John 8:38,39".

The outward sign of an inward grace.

Jesus' baptism was a sign to all the witnesses that a new beginning had arrived. It was also a sign to Jesus himself that his ministry was about to embark. Did Jesus need a sign from the Father? Quite likely, we must remember, Jesus was a man. The Son of God, yes, but in Human form, with all the needs, frailties and temptations of mortal man.

We too need a sign; and that is what baptism is, a sign to each of us and to all witnesses that a new 'beginning' has come. Jesus was baptized, and we are baptized with Him and in Him, but the baptism of Christ is not in the submersion, or pouring, or sprinkling of water, but in the Holy Spirit that only Christ can give. Paul writes Romans 6:3 "Did you not know that all of us who are baptized into Christ, were baptized into His death, so that as Christ was raised, we too shall be raised." It is interresting to note that the man who was crucified alongside Christ was most likely not baptized, yet Christ said to him, "This day you shall be with me in paradise." In Acts 10:47 after witnessing the obvious Spirit baptism to a group of believers in Ceasaria, Peter asked, "Can anyone forbid water for baptizing these people who have recieved the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

Please do not read me wrong. I am in no way inferring that baptism is not needed, it is just not a requirement of salvation. As a wedding vow is needed when sanctifying a marriage, with the ring as the sign of that commitment and vow, so baptism is; the sign of the vow of commitment to Christ. As a sign it matters not if one is submerged, had water poured over them, or just sprinkled on their forehead, the importance is the sign; which should be administered in public for as many unbelievers even to see.

If baptism were a nescessity to salvation, then all who are baptized would be saved. This is not the case however, Christ himself said, "Not all who call unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he who carries out the will of the Father."

There is many a parent who will have their children 'baptized' as infants, and later in their teen years they take the vow of confirmation. Is this a 'true baptism'? Can a baby be baptized? Is there a 'right' age for baptism. early teen, late teen, adult?

For many a family, the 'school' of Church tends to guide their religion. Confirmation becomes the graduaton ceremony, the end of their religious studies instead of only the beginning, and often the child fails to continue in church by their late teen years.

These are my thoughts, What are yours?

Reasons To Believe

Choose Life

Fundamentals Of Faith

Prophesy Points To Christ

Worship

Creation

Baptism

Communion

My Music

Composers Page

Alpha

My Church

Come Visit B.C.

Great Sites To Visit

Letters

Home

E - Mail

express yourself

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