Baptism

BAPTISM

(Especially for the physically challenged)

Have you ever wondered about the baptism of Jesus? --- "Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John (the Baptist) to be baptized by him" (Matthew 3:13).  Jesus was the sinless Son of God, sent to die for OUR sins.  He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).  Why would HE who was without sin, have to be baptized?

The answer is found in His love.   He completely identified with those He came to die for.  He became our Representative, the only one who could die in our place.  We fell into sin, as a race of beings unable to save ourselves.  None of us, in thought or deed, can satisfy the holiness of God.   Read any newspaper and see that something is wrong with the human race.  Honestly look at yourself, your thoughts, and you will agree that something more than personal “goodness” is needed to save you in the sight of a holy God.

Jesus was in all His ways without sin and He died in our place.   He is legitimately our Hero, the One who conquered sin by taking it upon Himself.  He died for us, and if we trust in Him, we are set free from sin and death.  Not only did Jesus Christ come to us, but He reasonably expects that you and I will come to Him.

Trust in Him now, and tell the world of His love.  We can tell them in words, and we can also speak, as Jesus often did, in a parable (a word picture).  Baptism is the revealing, like a picture sent from God, that we have received Jesus Christ, who died, rose again, and saved us from our sins.

Here's a great Scripture that helps us understand what Christ has done for us, and what baptism is all about:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?  Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:1-4).

In baptism, I say that I have received Jesus Christ.  He died for me, and I have become part of His death.  I am dead and my sins are dead also.  When I died with Him, my sins died with me (with Him).  The waters of baptism are a picture of death.  I cannot live under water; I cannot breathe in such a place, and by being placed under the waters, I show the world that I am dead to sin.  But, that is not all.  I am brought back from death.  I am lifted up, and just like baptism is a picture of death, it is also a picture of life, for I show that I am raised to LIFE in Him.  My old life is gone and I have new life in Him.

It is preferred that you be immersed in water, but that is not always possible.  During the years that Eastern Europe was under Communist domination, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was interned as a “political prisoner.”  A group of pastors, including Baptists, Catholics and Pentecostals, were among those kept in a somewhat large cell, full of those that had displeased the government.  When someone was led to Christ, the next step was baptism, but all they had was a cup of water per man, each day.  What would they do?

They did this - the pastor who would perform the baptism, poured his own cup of water over the head of the one who was to be baptized.  Sometimes, the person in a wheelchair or other circumstance, cannot be baptized in a "traditional" manner.  When that is the case, simply cover them to whatever extent is necessary to protect them, and pour water over them.  If immersion is possible, then do it.  The message is what is important - we are telling the world of His love.

Jesus Christ died for your sins and you live a new life because of Him.  You are showing what He did for you, and that you now live for Him.

If you accept Jesus Christ, you will receive:

• Faith

• Forgiveness

• Salvation

• God the Father

• The Holy Spirit of God

• Eternal life

• Sanctification

• Suffering

• Persecution

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• and more.

When you receive Him, you're telling the world that we should receive Him, too.  Do you receive Him now? --- I do.

I baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Friday Study Ministries
Ron Beckham, Pastor
PO Box 92131
Long Beach, CA
90809-2131 USA
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@FridayStudy.org