Identify!

Scripture: 

“But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” …And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17

Study:

After Eve and Adam sinned, there needed to be a perfect sacrifice to justify humanity for his sin. Jesus, having no sin, willing accepted God's plan to "fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' first step in fulfilling God's plan was to be water baptized. He did this to identify with his people. As Jesus came from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon him to affirm his calling, which included the cross, death, and resurrection. Then God/Father said, “I am well pleased.”

   

In the previous post, we discussed that man's first step to salvation is confession and repentance followed by water baptism. It is not the water that saves but what the baptism represents. Baptism is an outward action to identify us with Christ and the work He accomplished for us to fulfill our righteousness. As we identify with Christ we follow his example of dying to himself. We die to sinful way of life, and choose to submit to the Holy Spirits' direction in our life. In other words, by our identity with Christ, we are made righteous in Him. When this happens God/Father will be pleased. And note this, not only will God notice, but others will identify us with Christ. 

Application: Jesus identified with us and we will identify with Him. If our lives do not identify us with Jesus, the act was meaningless. Does our walk identify us with Jesus?

Prayer: 

Dear Father, Jesus, help us remember that our identity is in you, and may we live accordingly. Amen.

Is Your Baptism unto Salvation?

Scripture:

I baptize you with water for 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. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3: 11-12

Study:

In the previous passage John the Baptist was teaching and baptizing with water. He explained the value of water baptism to represent the believer's confession and repentance of sin. This sounds as though John was teaching a two step process of being saved, first, confession and repentance, then later, something else.  However, "John's baptism" was before Jesus had begun his ministry and before the giving of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he explained that his baptism was to prepare the way for "the ONE coming after him, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire," and that His (Jesus) work was superior to his (John's)," actually, completing God plan of salvation. 

In the previous passage he told the the Pharisees and Sadducees that their baptism was nothing more that being "dunked" in the water. Maybe they had confessed and were sorry for their sins but there was no evidence of turning away from their sin. John told them, (paraphrased), "Unless there is evidence, producing "good" fruit, you are not "saved" and "you will burn with the chaff and surely die." However, if you truly repent, you will be given the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Many people go into the water and are "dunked" but come out of the water, living no different from when they went in. Maybe they confess their sins, and for the moment are sorry for having lived a sinful life. They have good intentions to live the Christian life but turning from their old life is another story. Most want to claim the reward of being saved without turning away from the old habits and lifestyle and turning to Jesus' way. In fact, many have no intention of submitting to the Holy Spirit's working in their life to enable them to resist the temptation to sin. Unless  faith becomes active in our lives we have been deceived and have not been truly "saved." 

Application: If we want to lead others to Christ our lives must be convincing that Jesus is alive. in our lives. Repentance means to "turn around and not go back." If baptism represents the inward change, and the way we live our lives is the outward evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our life, then why aren't we seeing evidence in the lives of those who profess to be Christian? How can we live life WORTHY of our calling? 

Prayer: 

Dear Father, help me to submit to be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to truly turn from my old ways and not look back. Holy Spirit come. To you Father in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Your Baptism

Scripture: 
This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21

Thoughts for the Day: 
Many individuals can remember as a child wanting Jesus in their lives. Teachers do a good job explaining a loving, accepting Jesus who died for their sins. A person is then baptized to share with their family and friends the decision they have made in their lives. Tell me about your experience with Jesus? Do you remember when you accepted Jesus into your life? Were you baptized? Then what happened?

Baptism is symbolic...

1) of what Christ did for you on the Cross. Because of our sin nature, we sin, and we are not able to justify ourself. You may be self-made, have climbed the ladder of worldly success, but you are not able to save your own souls. You may not announce it to the world but within time you will come to that knowledge.  Jesus gave his life to pay the price for our sins. He died, was buried, and was resurrected. He was victorious over the grave. We cannot do anything for ourselves but that we accept the gift of eternal life we can have through Jesus Christ. Baptism is symbolic of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

2) of what Christ has done within you. At baptism we die to ourself; we are buried, our sins and all; and arise to a new life in Christ. This means that we no longer live for ourselves, or by the world's standard,  but we focus on Jesus Christ and seek to be obedient to God's calling in our life. 

Baptism does not save a person. A person accepts Jesus way of salvation and this decision is followed by baptism to show what has already happened in the person's life. 

Application: 

1. What did your baptism mean to you? 
2. Did it represent a changed life? 
3. If Christ has not made a difference in your life, accept Him and be baptized.

Prayer: Dear father, thank your loving act in giving of you son Jesus, that through his death, burial, and resurrection, we can have life. Help me to not take this act lightly. Help me to die to myself and be obedient to your calling on my life, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.