Water Baptism (Part I)

Lesson Content

Jesus Himself set an example for us when He took water baptism saying, “... thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matt.3:15,16). Baptism is an act of our obedience to the commandment of our God (Matt.28:19). It is the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). It is the answer of a good conscience toward God (I Pet.3:21). Moreover, it prepares us for a higher experience and for a deeper life. We shall see below the blessings that we receive through baptism.

1. Baptism is a step to entering into the kingdom of God (Jn.3:5).

2. At water baptism we die to the nature of sin (Rom.6:2,3). Though a man may be born again and delivered from the works of sin, he is once again liable to do the works of sin (Rom.6:6), if the nature of sin (Eph.2:3; Psa.51:5) which is in him is not removed. In water baptism, the old man with the body of sin is buried into the death of Christ

(Rom.6:4-6). Through this, a separation (death) takes place between us and the nature of sin.

3. Water Baptism is a preparatory step to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38;5:32).

4. Baptism is also called a salvation (Mk.16:16). This salvation is the deliverance we receive from the nature of sin.

5. At baptism, we begin to live a victorious life (Rom.6:6,7,9).

6. At baptism, we put on Christ and become the sons of God by faith. Here all distinctions are removed (Gal.3:26-28).

7. Baptism is a prerequisite for the resurrection of the body at the coming of the Lord. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom.6:4,5). (In the original it reads as ‘resurrection’, instead of ‘likeness of his resurrection’).

Moral

We should not stop with the act of taking baptism, but bring the baptismal experience by faith in our every day life by yielding every member of our body to God. Then we shall be fully dead to sin and can walk in newness of life. This will keep our body ready for the Rapture.