BAPTISM

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. After He was baptized Jesus immediately came up out of the water and the heavens opened and he saw the Holy Spirit descending as a dove. A Voice from Heaven declared, "this is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased."

As Philip and the eunuch traveled they came to a body of water. The eunuch said, "Look! Here is much water. What keeps me from being baptized?" And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. [Greek: "Baptizmos" - to completely immerse].

In baptism we show that we have been saved from death by Christ's death and resurrection. Our sins are not washed clean by the water, but in being baptized we are turning to God and asking Him to cleanse us from sin. In baptism we are buried with Christ and raised with Him through our faith in the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead.

Don't you know that all who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?! We were buried with Him through the water of baptism, that as Christ was resurrected from the dead by the glory of His Father, so we too may walk with Him in a new life.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. In Christ there are no social classes: neither Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. All are equal in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nationalities. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all My Commandments. And I will be with you always, even to the end of the world. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved, but those who disbelieve will not be saved.

Now what are your intentions? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of Jesus. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His shed blood. To Him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen!


The above quotes are from these Bible texts: Matthew 3:13,16,17 / Acts 8:36,38 / 1 Peter 3:21 / Colossians 2:12 / Romans 6:35 / Galatians 3:27,28 / Matthew 28:19 / Mark 16:16 / Acts 22:16 / Revelation 1:5