The preacher gently places a cloth over the mouth and nose of the young man and states these words, “You are buried with Christ” as he lowers the young man, back into the baptismal pool, “And you are raised to new life with Christ”.
The observers applaud.
The preacher then hugs the young man, ushers him out of the pool and exits, himself.
Many, if not most Christian churches consider baptism as “an outward sign of an inward decision”. A reenactment. A ritual. A sacrament (a religious ceremony or ritual).
However, The Apostle Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Please read the verse again – and think: Peter said to them,
• “Repent, and each of you be baptized
• in the name of Jesus Christ
• for the forgiveness of your sins;
• and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ, is for
• the forgiveness of your sins, and for
• the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism in the Name of Jesus, in obedience to Jesus and for the Cause of Jesus, is an act of obedience resulting in a supernatural event.
1. Baptism is a Covenant with God.
Baptism is a contract, a compact, a treaty and a pact.
Baptism is an accord, a deal, a settlement, a concordat and protocol.
It is an agreement, an arrangement, an understanding, a pledge, a promise, a bond, an indenture, a guarantee, a warrant, an undertaking.
Baptism is a commitment between you and God; between your body, mind and spirit with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
2. Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is a natural reenactment of supreme importance, with deep significance.
Baptism is Contract in Blood which ignites a series of supernatural events culminating in God the Holy Spirit enveloping and inhabiting the believer. One means little without the other.
3. Baptism both signifies and seals your covenant with God.
You covenant that you willingly die to your old life, as with Christ on the cross of crucifixion. Your old life and your old ways are buried in His empty tomb, as you are being plunged into the waters of baptism.
Then, as you rise up out of the waters of baptism, you are born again, to walk in a new life of freedom, forgiveness and servant-hood to Jesus and His Cause.
You agree to follow and serve God the rest of your life, now, and, into eternity.
Your Friend and Brother,
PS: Have you “sealed the deal”? Have you been baptized – with the Prophetic Words of the Apostle Peter in mind?
Every Word and command of the Bible leads us to Jesus. The results should be miraculous and spectacular. You should never be the same again.
If you are mixing the thinking of this world and trying to follow Jesus, IT JUST WON’T WORK PROPERLY. You just cannot mix salt water into your drinking supply and get fresh water. IT JUST WON’T WORK.
FOLLOW HIM, COMPLETELY. IT WORKS.
Whitestone Fellowship 