WATER BAPTISM

Hebrews 6:1-2 (KJV) (1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2)Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Most of what is written in this blog was taken from The First Principles Foundation Course in which my Pastor wrote up and taught, Pastor Philip Cappuccio. Most importantly, all that is written is given and inspired out of the unchangeable Word of God.

To my fellow readers, this is, as you read in Hebrews, a very foundational subject, truth, and requirement for any believer and follower of Jesus Christ. This what you call, Born Again. Baptism of Repentance (water baptism) is one of the three different baptisms, for the new and only covenant believer. Anyone who will REPENT and BELIEVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be water baptized. The New Testament places an important emphasis upon water baptism everywhere people believed the Gospel.

Three different baptisms:

1) John's baptism unto Repentance

God sent John the Baptist (baptist was part of his job not religion) as a prophet and forerunner to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did this by preaching repentance and baptizing those who believed his word and repented.

2) Jesus' Baptism to Full Righteousness

Jesus was baptized (by John the Baptist), but not unto repentance (because He had no sin), but to FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. The High Priest of old (old covenant/ testament) had to wash (submerged in baptism) at the laver (the river of Jordan) before He could perform His priestly ministry (The Kingdom of God) and especially before He went in the most holy place (Calvary) to offer the blood (His own) on the mercy seat (The Cross) to make atonement for the sins of the nation (Exodus 30:18-21). So also Jesus, as our acting High Priest, fulfilled ALL the law (righteousness) before He entered into His ministry and especially before He offered His own blood for the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:11-14).

3) The Christian Baptism, " Into Christ"

In some sense Christian Baptism incorporates the first two (we must repent and fulfill righteousness through obedience), however it adds a third dimension for us by providing us with the means where whereby we can actually and completely identify with Jesus Christ and through proper baptism we become spiritually positioned as those who are "In Christ". Acts 19:1-5.

Galatians 3:27 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

According to The New Testament, water baptism describes the act where the believer is completely immersed in water for the purpose of demonstrating their repentance and confession of faith in Jesus Christ. By baptism the believer completely identifies themselves with the; death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38, Romans 6:4, Acts 8:12

Some believe that they were properly baptized, due to the fact that they may have been sprinkled with water, by a priest, when they were a young infant. Most likely speaking of those in a catholic setting. To be baptized by sprinkling is not Biblical form of baptism. The word baptism itself comes from the Greek word, 'baptizo', which means: to be plunged into, fully immersed, to make fully wet, to be completely stained. Therefore a proper Biblical baptism is by full immersion. In addition, we must keep in mind that by baptism we are "buried" with Christ. John 3:23, Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:38.

Romans 6:4 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Infants however should not be baptized, because of the fact that there is neither a scriptural command nor example of infant baptism. The practice of infant baptism undermines the fact that individuals must meet the important Biblical criteria of repentance and faith in the Gospel.

In a true experience of water baptism, the believer enters a new spiritual position as one who is now in Christ (Romans 6:3-4), experiences a cleansing of conscience (I Peter 3:21), and receives the circumcision of Christ, (circumcision of the heart, not flesh) (Colossians 2:11-12 (AMP), Philippians 3:3).

Be baptized in the name of Jesus! That is the only name to be baptized in, especially since the Bible reveals that clearly. There is either Trinitarian or Unitarian. Trinitarian believes in The Father, Son, or Holy Spirit as three individuals or the other (Unitarian) believes the three is one, Jesus Christ (which will be another blog). However, the apostles understood the fact that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are descriptive terms, but there is only one name associated with all three.

One name, with three descriptions:

Lord: The Father (Exodus 13:3, Jeremiah 16:21, Amos 5:8)

Jesus: The Son (Matthew 1:21,25; Luke 1:31)

Christ: Holy Ghost (Christos: The Anointed One)

By obeying the Lord in water baptism we can experience a true cleansing of our conscience from past sins and wickedness. Through the means of water baptism we are to consider the 'old man' to be completely crucified and buried so that we (now with good conscience) may walk in Newness of Life, (Romans 6:3-11).

There is so much more to say concerning the baptism of repentance, which branches into the reasons of former acts and rituals the believer in the Old Testament era were commanded to perform, through the prophet/ servant from God. Considering the sacrifices given, the limited allowance of who is a able to enter the temple and what part of the temple, circumcision of the flesh on males. Even the reasoning behind The Lord changing the names of Abram and Sarai, to Abraham and Sarah, change of identity once in covenant with God. Genesis 17:5,15. It's a joy to delve deep into The cleansing and purifying Word of God, and allow the Spirit of God to reveal the revelation being some of the commands issued by God in the Old Testament. However, Thank God He has made a New and Final Covenant between Him and His children, until the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

As you see in John 3:3, when you are born again (baptized) you are then eligible to SEE the Kingdom of God. John 3:5 (KJV) 5Jesus 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. However, it's not enough to only be baptized by water, but also in the Spirit/ fire, so that you can not only see the Kingdom, but be able TO ENTER IN! (Baptism in the Spirit will be the next blog.)

I encourage you my fellow reader, especially if you are a new believer. Be baptized in the name of Jesus. Sometime read John 3 for more understanding of being born again. Walk out your salvation and repent! It's not enough just to say 'sorry' to the Lord and that's it. Become New!!! It's called, being born again! Empty your old self out in the rivers of baptism, so the Lord may have an empty vessel, in which He can pour His Spirit into, to be used mightily for His Will and Purpose!

God Bless