Water Baptism (Part 2)

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Tuesday March 4, 2008

Although water baptism does not save us, it is still important for believers to be water baptized after they get saved as a statement of faith to the world, and as an experience to be looked back on as a turning point in the believer's life; an experience associated with the start of the new life in Christ.

There are two different water baptisms mentioned in the New Testament. The first was John the Baptists's baptism:

Matthew 3:1,2,6 (NIV)
1. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2. and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
6. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

This was not a Christian baptism. Jesus had not yet arisen from the dead, so nobody could be born again yet. (Romans 10:9)

John the Baptist's baptism was an outward proclaimation against sin. The person being baptized was making a statement that he was turning away from sin. It is important to note that John the Baptist and Jesus Christ both walked the earth during Old Testament times. (Jesus did until He arose from the dead). Because Jesus had to fulfill the Old Testament law, He had to "fulfill all righteousness", so even He was baptized with John's baptism:

Matthew 3:13-15 (NIV)
13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15. Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

John's baptism was also a preparation for the coming of Christ. John the Baptist's message was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is NEAR." The New Testament gospel message is that the Kingdom of God is HERE!

According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is not a physical kingdom but a spiritual one:

Luke 17:20,21 (NIV)
20. Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21. nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

When Jesus arose from the dead, He brought the Kingdom of God to the earth, and it is inside every believer. Jesus said nobody can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again:

John 3:3 (NIV)
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "

After Jesus arose, the early church preached the "good news of the Kingdom of God" :

Acts 8:12 (NIV)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

What is the "good news of the Kingdom of God" ?

Colossians 1:13 (NIV)
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves

When we get saved, we are born again, and we are BROUGHT INTO the Kingdom of God!

People who had already been baptized with John the Baptists's baptism were water baptized AGAIN:

Acts 19:3-5 (NIV)
3. So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
4. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5. On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

There are many times in the book of Acts that tell us as soon as the people got saved, they were baptized in water. Although water baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is still a very good thing, and there isn't room in today's Daily Word to entirely cover the subject.

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your life-giving Word, that tells me so much about what You have done for me, and that has the answers on how to live my life in a way that is pleasing to You. Help me understand Your Word better so I can let You govern my life more effectively.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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