A TUTORIAL ON EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Teaching, Training & Commissioning
Chapter 4
WATER BAPTISM & THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Salvation Covenant
Matthew 3:13 “Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.”
This is the record God has preserved for us to read, understand and follow. Once again, Jesus is leading by example.
Many, if not most Christian churches consider baptism as “an outward sign of an inward decision”; a reenactment; a sacrament, a religious ceremony or ritual. But, it is so much more than that and should be considered for what it really means.
Let’s break this down and think on it. First, the Apostle Peter says,
- “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.
Secondly, baptism in the Name of Jesus, is an act of obedience to Jesus and for the Cause of Jesus, resulting in a supernatural event.
Baptism is a Covenant with God. It is a contract, a compact, a treaty and an agreement; it communicates an understanding, a pledge, and a promise. It is a bond, an indenture, and a guarantee between you and God.
Baptism is a commitment of your body, mind and spirit with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is serious business.
Thirdly, 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.
Finally, baptism both signifies and seals your covenant with God. You covenant with God 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.
Matthew 3:16 says “After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
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 and God seals the deal with His Holy Spirit of promise.
Having completed your Baptismal Covenant with God, you are now possessed by the Holy Spirit and considered to have taken your first step into His Kingdom. What comes next is the trying, and often terrifying, process of being purged, purified and refined – the beginning of the process of your sanctification.
Jesus is leading the way by His own willingness to be tested. It is by His example, you will see the process unfold, and you will gain the necessary confidence as you enter your own testing. God is with us!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Please bookmark this page and watch for our next chapter,
“The Baptism of the Holy Spirit”.
(The previous episode can be found at Effective Spiritual Warfare – Water Baptism & The Holy Spirit)
(Please also notice, you can go to the webpage for this podcast and click links for details and references which are necessary for the entire teaching)
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