Thoughts for Life: Water Baptism

Jean Oathout introduces the subject
of water baptism: We'll examine
God's Word for what the early disciples
said and did.

Here's what the Bible tells us in the KJV. Feel free to compare it with whatever version you may have:

Matthew 3:13 - 16 "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (v.14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (v.15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered [permitted] him. (v.16) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:.."

1 John 3:1-3,5,6 "There was a man of the pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (v.2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (v.3) Jesus answered and said unto hi, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...(v.5) "Jesus 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. (v.6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit."

Rom. 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

1 John 5:12, 13 "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the son of God hath not life. (v.13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" .

Matt. 28:18 - 20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (v.19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (v.20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen".

Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost".

John 7:38 "He that believeth on me, as the scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers".

Acts 9:17 &18 "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (v.18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."

Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Acts 10:43-48 "To him {Jesus} gave all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (v.44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (v.45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (v.46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God, Then answered Peter, (v.47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (v.48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.".

Romans 6:3-7 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (v.4) 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. (v.5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (v.6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (v.7) For he that is dead is freed from sin."

Romans 6:1, 2 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (v.2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

The reality of these verses is that sin no longer can control us, if we choose to accept Christ's way instead. It gets easier the more we make this important choice to obey Him.

Check out the whole 6th chapter of Romans, as there are many nuggets of truth there.

Other Scriptures that may interest you are: Ephesians 4:5 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" & Col. 2:12 "Buried with him [Jesus] in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead".

Gal. 3:26,27 "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (v.27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

2 Cor. 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." {Apostle Paul's last words in 2 Cor. to the churches.}

I encourage you to do a thorough study of this important subject, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you of your need. May He open your eyes to His will for you. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

It may be that you'll agree with what Debbie shares next, which she wrote before her baptism:

"O Blessed Lord You are steadfast and true, always and forever
You are love incarnate, always and forever
You are my patient teacher, my Savior, always and forever
I pledge my life, my soul, my heart all my resources to You
I am nothing without You
I am straw in the wind without You
I would wander hither and yon without You
I know, I've been there
You give me purpose and peace
Your touch completes my being
You are the lover of my soul who makes me whole
With You, I am as I was meant to be
Without you, I am lost
Thank You, Blessed Lord for finding me and bringing me home
Where I will dwell with You always and forever."

Always and Forever by Debbie McEwen

Popular post: The Power of the Holy Spirit in You Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom spent the last years of her life speaking to men and women all around the world about the God who sustained her during her imprisonment and who delivered her from the Nazi prison camps..."

Today’s quote: Ralph Marston - "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows."

Some thoughts today: God will answer persistent, heart-felt
prayers. He delights in your coming to Him, and makes things
happen according to His will for you. He is Omnipotent and
Omnipresent, remember.

- Because He loves you unconditionally, He will consider everything that's connected with your request, and will bring about what's best for you. It will also be evident that He did it, too. (Luke 18:27)

- Confess God's Word that's impressed on your heart. It is what is his will concerning you. Open the Bible, begin reading randomly, allow His Spirit to bring to Life what you'll be reading. He often speaks to us this way.

10th- Tuesday’s post: #39 Biblical Example - Acts
C. Peter Wagner
12th- Thursday's post: #40 Campus Crusade in Thailand
C. Peter Wagner
14th- Saturday's post: Tomorrow
James H. Cagle
15th- Sunday evening's post: When Others Won't Forgive
Randy Kilgore

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