Rev. Johnson V

12 Feb 2012 

We are called not only to believe in Jesus but to be His disciple!

To become a disciple of a guru for example, there are certain disciplines you need to follow. Similarly to do a project, you need to follow the disciplines of your project guide. Success here comes with how closely you follow the guru or your guide. It’s the same with our faith in the Lord Jesus. Baptism therefore does not depend on our feelings but is a command of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Somehow we see that the world is attracted to things that are immoral and sinful, while Christ demands the church to uphold moral and righteous ways! Mathew 3:15 [Jesus replied let it be so now, it is proper for us to do this (baptism) to fulfil all righteousness] this explains the will of the Lord Jesus to perform completely that which is right and that is Him(Jesus) being Baptized by John the Baptist! If we do not obey and follow that which Jesus did, as a consequence we lose out on greater things the Holy Spirit desires to do in and through our life’s!

Acts 2:38 [Peter said unto them repent, and be baptised {into the name of the Father, Son and The Holy spirit ref Mat 28:19} everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ (referring to baptising in the Authority of Jesus) for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit] this confirms greater anointing in our life’s through the act of baptism. The word of God teaches us in Galatians 3:27 [for all of you who are baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ] so putting on Christ protects us and keeps us immune from the wiles of the enemy. We not only put on Christ, but He lives in us and walks with us, teaches the Holy Bible.

Significance of Baptism (read Romans 6:3 onwards and Acts 8:38 onwards):

  The act of immersion in baptism signifies the burial of Christ, and our coming out of the water signifies the resurrection of Christ! Burial of Christ (immersion) to us is death to sin and resurrection of Christ(coming out of the water) is a new life in Christ.

In the Old Testament the instances of God commanding Moses and the Israelites to pass through the red sea and Noah with his family in the ark is a symbolic expression of a baptism experience for them to be saved.

Let us continue to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with an unwavering faith and follow the disciplines of our Lord Jesus!!