Góðan daginn disciple of Jesus! May you receive a new measure. A new measure of grace, joy, oil, discernment, and power! Properly understood and applied, GOD'S WORD provides the answers to all life's questions. Know His Word, understand what it means, and apply it to your life 🙂 People may well forget what you said, but they won't forget how they felt when you spoke to them. Know the difference between a remark, a correction, and a judgment. Let how you act speak louder than what you say. Let your repentance and works of faith be abundant. Humility is a choice, not a gift.
What baptism in Christ is: the testimony of our obedience, faith, and rebirth in JESUS CHRIST.
Bonus: Identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
In the name of JESUS or in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Baptism in CHRIST (or in JESUS) is by immersion.
Baptism in CHRIST (or in JESUS) is not the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT.
❖ (Matthew 28: 18-20, KJV): " JESUS came to them and said, "All authority [exoucia, Strong #1849, Greek] has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
❖ (John 3:4-7, KJV): " Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
❖ (Acts 2: 38, Segond 21): "Peter said to them, " Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT."
❖ (Colossians 2:11-15, NKJV): " 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of CHRIST, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of GOD, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."
❖ (Galatians 3:26-29, Ostervald): "For you are all children of GOD through faith in JESUS CHRIST. For all of you who have been baptized into CHRIST have put on CHRIST. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for you are all one in JESUS CHRIST. And if you are of CHRIST, you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. "
❖ (Romans 6:3-11, Segond 21): "3 Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death? 4 For by the baptism into his death, we were buried with him, that just as CHRIST was raised by the glory of the FATHER, so we also might live a new life. 5 For if we were united with him in a death like his, we shall also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died is free from sin. 8 If we have died with CHRIST, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 for we know that CHRIST, having been raised from the dead, no longer dies; death has no power over Him.10 CHRIST died, and for sin once for all; but now that He is alive, He lives for GOD.11 In the same way, you also count yourselves dead to sin and alive to GOD in JESUS CHRIST [our LORD].
1. What Baptism in CHRIST is: the testimony of our obedience, our believing and our being born again in JESUS CHRIST.
🙂 Baptism in CHRIST is also called Baptism of JESUS. It is the first baptism of those who are disciples of JESUS CHRIST, who are in the process of becoming so, or who truly intend to become so.
A disciple is a person who receives a master's teaching, adheres to his doctrine and thoughts, and follows in his footsteps. To be in the continuity of a work is to continue what has been started (what the Master is doing or has done) and, if possible, to go beyond it by respecting his instructions, his doctrine, and his thoughts. Jesus himself said that whoever believes in him will do the works he has done, and even greater works (John 14:12). The only disciple is a person who has received and understood the Master's teaching, believes in it (accepts it), and puts it into practice. A disciple is not a baby, a person who doesn't know what he is doing or why he is doing it. Like all other baptisms mentioned in the Bible, JESUS' baptism is for those who believe (Galatians 3:26-27, Acts 2:38). Only those who believe in Him are baptized by JESUS. He gave His life for the salvation of all, but only those who believe will be saved.
We are saved by faith, not by baptism, but baptism is important. Through baptism, we witness our obedience, our faith, and our new birth in JESUS CHRIST. The baptism of JESUS is:
An act of obedience and a confession of the decision to be a disciple of JESUS CHRIST.
Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Matthew 10:8, Luke 4:18-19, Colossians 4:16, Romans 10:14-15, John 3:5-7.
JESUS tells the disciples to go and make disciples. This includes witnessing, baptizing, and teaching. The disciple who baptizes and the one who causes others to be baptized are both obeying JESUS.
A testimony of our faith and belonging to JESUS CHRIST.
Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:26-29, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:4,1 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 8:17, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Acts 4:12.
Repent of your old life. Acknowledge Him as your only Saviour and Lord. Trust Him and commit to know, love, and obey Him.
The seal and testimony of our new (spiritual) birth: our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
Colossians 2:12-13, Titus 3:5, John 3:5-7, Romans 6:3-11, 2 Peter 2:24, John 11:25, Romans 5:1, Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:8-9.
JESUS replied: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of human parents is human, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Do not be surprised that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"
The new birth or entry into the kingdom is not complete without the baptism of water and the Spirit. Only those who have died can be born again. CHRIST died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14, Romans 6:10, Ephesians 5:2). Only by identifying ourselves with Him by faith are we dead to sin and born again by the HOLY SPIRIT.
When He died on the cross, we died to sin, no longer slaves to sin; the old man was crucified.
When He rose, we rose with Him. We are spiritually reborn. We live for GOD in JESUS CHRIST. We walk in newness of life by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.
2. Bonus: Identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
Identification is the fulfillment of GOD's justice and the testimony of His love through mercy and grace (1 Corinthians 15:3, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:14). We speak of mercy when GOD spares us a punishment or judgment we deserve for our sins (James 2:12-13, Psalm 51:3-5, Titus 3:5). We speak of grace when GOD blesses us without merit.
By dying for us, more specifically by bearing our sins or taking our place, JESUS fulfilled GOD's justice (Romans 3:23-26, Romans 6:23, Genesis 2:17, Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20). GOD fulfilled His justice by giving Himself in our place and showing us His mercy (Ephesians 2:5-6, Philippians 2:6-9). On the one hand, grace makes us children of GOD and joint heirs with CHRIST (Romans 8:17, Ephesians 1:11). On the other hand, grace enables us to resist sin and walk in the newness of life.
Indeed, GOD gave Himself for us, for JESUS is GOD. On the one hand, we receive the life of CHRIST, and on the other, we receive the ability of CHRIST through the HOLY SPIRIT (life through CHRIST) to preserve and manifest the life of CHRIST. To receive the life of CHRIST, you only have to believe. To receive the ability of CHRIST, you must be in communion and obey. It is not possible to obey without being in communion.
It is the HOLY SPIRIT that gives us the ability of CHRIST. It enables us to overcome trials, persecutions, and temptations and to do what CHRIST does. Mind you, this doesn't mean that we have nothing to do, or that we can abuse grace. We must grow in CHRIST in order to fully walk in CHRIST, receive our inheritance, and do the works of CHRIST (Galatians 4:1-7, Colossians 1:9, 3 John 1:2, Joshua 1:8, Luke 2:52, James 1:5-6).
In Christ there is fellowship, renewal of the mind (through knowledge and understanding of the truth), healing of the soul, endurance, authority, and power. Those who believe receive His life (Ephesians 2:8). Those who grow in their faith, who abide in his teachings, who take him as their model, who cling to him, keep his life and gradually receive his ability.
🙂 The HOLY SPIRIT is also called the Spirit of GOD, the Spirit of the Lord, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the HOLY SPIRIT, the SPIRIT of CHRIST, the SPIRIT of JESUS, the SPIRIT of Grace, the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD (Genesis 1:2, John 16:13, Romans 8:9, Hebrews 10:29, Ephesians 4:30).
3. In the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
❖ (Isaiah 9:5, Segond 21) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and he shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "
JESUS said to his disciples that they should baptize in the name of the FATHER, the SON? and the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 28:19).
On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter asked the crowd to change their attitude and be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST. (Acts 2:38).
In the city of Ephesus, following the teaching of the apostle Paul, the disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Ac 19:1-7).
We receive salvation through faith in Jesus, and it is Jesus who sends the disciples to baptize. So it's natural to prefer the expression in the name of JESUS. In the name of the FATHER means that we recognize His authority. In the name of the SON means that we acknowledge His identity and position. In the name of the HOLY SPIRIT means that we acknowledge His presence and His work.
GOD is ONE in three. There are not three gods, but one GOD revealed in three persons. The prophet Isaiah, who lived under the Old Covenant, said that JESUS would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty GOD and Everlasting FATHER (Isaiah 9:5). The FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT are not jealous when we say in the name of JESUS: they are ONE (John 1:1-2, Isaiah 9:5, Colossians 1:15: 20, John 14:16-17, John 16:13-14, Acts 5:3-4 ) 🙂 I hope you remember the article JESUS-CHRIST: ETERNAL, ANGEL OF THE LORD and GOD THE LORD.
4. The baptism in CHRIST (or of JESUS) is by immersion
Le mot baptême est la traduction du mot grec baptisma (strong n°908) signifiant immersion ou submersion. Baptisma (strong n°908) vient du verbe grec baptizô (strong n°907), signifiant : plonger, immerger, submerger.
In both the Old and New Testaments, baptism has always been by immersion for those who believe and repent. Biblically speaking, baptism that is not by immersion is not baptism. So-called baptisms by pouring (water poured over the head) and sprinkling (a few drops of water poured over the head or face) have absolutely no value. There is no debate about it, it's as simple as that. You either read the Bible or you don't.
5. Baptism into CHRIST (or of JESUS) is not the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT.
JESUS baptises with the HOLY SPIRIT and with fire, but the baptism of JESUS (water baptism by immersion) is not the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT (Luke 3:16, Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5). It is possible to receive both baptisms at the same time, just as it is possible to receive one before the other. In either case, passing through the waters of baptism is not an option. Anyone who has received the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT before the baptism in the name of JESUS must still be baptized in the name of JESUS. For example, I received the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT before baptism by immersion.
The day after Jesus first appeared to me, I spoke in tongues (see article I didn't have adult words, but my prayers counted). The second time He appeared to me was in April 2015, a few weeks after the death of one of my brothers. He showed me the scars on his hands and said: "I can't help you if you refuse my hand. THE HOLY SPIRIT cannot help you grieve if you don't hold my hand". The following month he appeared to me again. This was in addition to the visions I received from the HOLY SPIRIT. I was baptized by immersion in May 2016, but I have been speaking in tongues fluently since May 2013. But in December 2015, the HOLY SPIRIT said to me, "You need to be baptized. It's time for you to go through the waters of baptism."
If you sincerely want to be a disciple of JESUS, if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that He is the SAVIOUR and the LORD, then I say to you in His name, "You need to be baptized. It's time for you to pass through the waters of baptism." He doesn't ask you to be perfect, he asks you to follow him.
I know that if you are obese, in a wheelchair, or over 1.90m tall, you need special organization. But that shouldn't be an excuse for not getting baptized. If you are in one of these cases, the Lord is saying to you: "You need to be baptized. It's time for you to go through the waters of baptism".
** Góðan daginn = Hello in Icelandic
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