Baptism | WORLDWIDE INTERNET EVANGELISM

Have you ever observed someone being baptized and heard the pastor make a statement that baptism is not important and that you are not saved by baptism that it is only a symbol of publicly receiving Christ as your Savior? I have and I always wondered why they felt that they had to tell everyone this every time they baptized someone as if they might do something wrong if they didn’t. I have thought on this subject many times and have always wondered about it!

The bible teaches that there are certain important major Church doctrines that we ought to obey. In the book of Hebrews God very thoroughly explains to us what the “new covenant” is all about. The church of God is no longer under the old covenant after the order of the Levitical Priesthood as given to Israel by Moses. We are now under the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek! Our high priest is Jesus Christ who is from the tribe of Judah which was never even mentioned by Moses that there would be a priesthood other than the Levitical Priesthood. Now Christ teaches us in the bible that there are new covenant doctrines that we need to learn and follow. Hebrews 6: 1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the author of the Holy Bible and that it is the infallible truth of God! When He makes it a point to tell us about the major doctrine of baptism in context with the resurrection of the dead we need to pay attention and understand what Jesus is saying! When God sent His Holy Spirit down to the earth to inhabit the hundred and twenty believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire) the Apostles went out and started preaching to the multitude of people in Jerusalem and the very first thing Peter told them in Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHEN YOU ARE BAPTIZED YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT! Don’t you think that makes baptism rather important to a Christian? But always remember that with God all things are possible! If He chooses to give you His Holy Spirit some other way He can but you still need to be baptized. (Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord).

I encourage anyone who has not done so, to get on your knees and ask God what baptism is all about and He will answer and lead you into a life so wonderful and will infuse you with a new power that you never knew existed. Jesus changes everything! SEEK HIM NOW!

Wouldn’t it be neat if God had the Bible written the same way people write blogs or forums? Most every web page that you find on the internet has a facts section. The most asked questions have a ready made answer. God does answer many questions in the Bible but we have to read and study the scripture to find the answers. Doesn’t the Bible give us instruction concerning this? 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God has a purpose for everything!

I have been concerned lately about a certain trend among younger generation churches and their rethinking church philosophy. After having read these rethinking churches on their websites, it appears that they have become the world’s church critics. They talk about what is wrong with all other churches etc. Now I have to say this that there are some Christians that need to really believe what the Bible teaches. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

It really disturbs me to see so much criticism and church division!

Here are some interesting observations I read about the difference between Old Testament and New Testament baptisms.

The Bible makes reference to the nation of Israel being baptized as she came out of Egypt, a symbol of sin, and passing through the Red Sea. Just after having passed through the Red Sea, they received the Law of Moses. They did not have the Holy Spirit.

THE LAW GIVEN UNDER THE OLD COVENANT BY BAPTISM

1 Corinthians 10: 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

You can read over and over in the Old Testament how Israel and Judah disobeyed God. In the book of Judges God sent His people into captivity as punishment time and time again. Take note that no where in the Bible will you ever find where Israel observed the 50^th year of Jubilee. They couldn’t obey God that long. So you see that their baptism into the Law was never in tended for salvation and eternal life.

THE SPIRIT GIVEN UNDER THE NEW CONENANT

Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised that He would send us the Holy Spirit when He ascended into heaven. John 14:16, 26 and John 16:7

On the Day of Pentecost Jesus kept His promise and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in man

Acts 1: 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Acts 2: 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Christians today make up the body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:27) are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Under the New Covenant the Bible clearly states that when we are saved we receive the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

It is a simple thing to pray a prayer to God and ask Him to forgive all your sins but it is very hard to do. It requires a person to ask God to change their life from the ways of this world to His ways and that is a decision some hate to make. But when one makes the right decision then they will receive treasures they didn’t even know existed. That is another story!