Entry #35: Baptism In Jesus’ Name

Christian water baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ.    If it is not important in the plan of God, why did Jesus command it in Matthew 28:19?  And why did Peter later follow up by saying, “Be baptized every one of you,” and also commanded the Gentiles to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:48)?  We must remember two points about the importance of water baptism.  First, whatever Christ definitely established and ordained cannot be unimportant.  Secondly, Christ and the apostles emphasized the importance of this ordinance by also observing it. Jesus walked many miles to be baptized, though He was without sin, saying,  “For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (See Matthew 3:13-16.)

Consider these verses regarding baptism:

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. – John 3:5

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: – Matthew 28:19

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. – Mark 16:16

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ . . . – Acts 2:38

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. – Acts 8:12

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. – Acts 10:47-48

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. – Acts 19:5

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death . . . – Rom 6:4

Buried with him in baptism . . . – Col 2:12

These are but a few verses stressing the importance of baptism. It’s a great feeling to have sin remitted in the waters of baptism in Jesus’ name. Won’t you submit in obedience, if you haven’t dear reader, to the words of our Lord who loves you? Down the road, you’ll be glad you did!

Entry #34: Repentance

It’s been a while for me since last blogging. I finally decided to do another entry (after being prodded by my sister Carol). It was the extra push I needed. It wasn’t that I wasn’t inspired. I wanted to leave the Acts 2:38 message posted for a while before going on to my next entry. My cousin Cindy had told me that she “had her eye on my blog,” and so since I (and family) have been praying for her, I felt that verse and thought needed to stay for a while. Also, there was a link to a church locator (which I also hoped my cousin would see). I hoped too that my cousin Bob might see the message. I had sent him a link to my blog. With all this still in mind, I want to continue along the theme of the Acts 2:38 saving gospel message. I’d like to do some thoughts and Bible verses on repentance.

 

First I’d like to say that repentance is a GOOD THING. What is repentance? It is a turning from sin and a turning toward God.

-         For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation . . . (II Cr 7:10) 
-         Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom 2:4) 
-         The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
- Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18)   

God is longsuffering (or patient) toward us. Every good thing we have (our life, health, being, blessings, roof over our head, family, friends) is given to us to remind us that God is good to all and wants us to come to Him in sorrow for sin. Who is a sinner?

-         For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (Rom 3:23) 
-         All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (Isa 53:6) 
-         As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.  (Rom 3:10) 

When we come to understand that we too, like the rest of the world, have sinned, we can tell the Lord we are sorry for our sins and ask for His forgiveness. That is the first step. Then comes baptism in Jesus’ name. I’ll end here for now. Find a loving church that teaches this, that cares about your soul, and be on your way to prepare for the coming of the Lord. That could be soon.