The Mystery of Baptism

The Mystery of Baptism

Matt 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Baptism is the covenant of regeneration and union with Christ, one of two covenants ordained by Christ to be instituted by the church until he returns. The other of course is communion.

What is the significance of Baptism?

The popular response to this question and mostly accepted is “An outward demonstration/representation of the personal/spiritual conviction/decision made to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, for the salvation of your soul” or thereabout.

In the book of Ezek. 36:25-26 the scripture says however, 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

There are many individuals who has received the conviction of the Holy Spirit and may have responded to the command of Christ to repent. However, when it comes to the covenant of Baptism, many have shied away; unwilling to submit to this requisite act of demonstration of faith, for fear that they may not be able to live up to the challenges of the Believer’s life.

But what does the Prophet Ezekiel say in the book of Ezekiel 36 above?

He says - repeat passage above.

Many Believers struggle with the commitment to be faithful to the Kingdom of God and His church, because they have stop short of the complete requirement of deliverance. Even at the point of receiving water baptism as an open proclamation of their faith.

(My Testimony of self-search, prior to being baptized, recognizing that I will now have to be particularly scrupulous about my public testimony, having made the decision to represent Christ as my Lord and Savior.)

Baptism, while it doesn’t and does not claim to save you, is the next step of faith necessary for you to walk in the power given to you, to live a victorious life.

Ezekiel was sent to prophesy to the rebellious nation of Israel, a people who although chosen and set apart by God by means of God’s divine selection, turned their backs on Him and chose to serve other gods. Despite God’s continual imploring.

As a result, God gave them over to the taunts of the surrounding nations, to overpower, subdue and torment them that they may learn to be obedient and learn to appreciate the wonderful privilege of having The LORD as their GOD.

This here is the promise that we have received, as spiritual Israel, when we enter into the covenant of salvation. (Expound Ezek. 36:25-26) Idols – Money/Wealth, Popularity, Pride, Lust New Heart – Heart of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23) New Spirit – Not of this world, but of God Heart of Flesh – One that matches the temple in which you reside

Like the Nation of Israel, we who have come to hear and understand the Word of the Lord, has been specially chosen to be the blessed among many nations.

The Lord Jesus tells us that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14)

God has called each and every one of us into the kingdom of His Son but some of us have taken this calling for granted and has spurned that gracious gift of salvation and deliverance that has been made available to all, through the shedding of the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Having received the call, we begin to question our ability to live up to it. Not depending upon God to lead us and guide us but trusting in our own ability and knowledge and has therefore constrained ourselves from entering fully into that blessed gift of deliverance.

God is well-aware of our limitations

The word of God tells us that Jesus was in all ways tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15)

Jesus is our high priest and can provide us with the strength and capacity to meet every challenge that would come our way. But it starts out with our willingness to be obedient to His command.

One of the main obstacles to submission unto God is pride

We think more highly of ourselves than we ought

Pride solidifies the heart and turns it into a hard and unyielding element of distrust and self/human-reliance.

The enemy’s trick is to keep us in this state of distrust, even and especially of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and hinders us from accessing God’s grace and deliverance as He desires us to have.

This leaves us in a state of vulnerability to the devil’s devices and makes us open prey to condemnation and destruction of the devil.

I can speak of many examples of spiritual condemnation and eventual destruction such as the spirit of suicide and depression, condemnation and fear of failure but that is not the aim of my message today.

God wants us to be aware of the ability that we can access through Him, to overcome the devil’s devices and in so doing, we can derive the capacity to be victorious in this life that we live.

Let us reason together – you who are hesitant, what is/are the reason(s) behind your resistance to receive and to be totally submissive to the Lord Jesus Christ? Mistrust? – We are not called to exercise faith in the flesh, but in our Lord Jesus. Flesh will always let you down. How many people have you disappointed? Ridicule? – Rom 8:1-3 (There is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus…..) Guilt? – 2 Cor. 5:17 (If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature….) What about fear of personal inability? – Phil 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ…)

The key hindrance to you accessing the ability to do and to fulfill the calling of God upon your life is not in the Lord’s ability to fulfill this through you but your unwillingness to trust in Him.

I thank God for those who would be taking that step in obedience today and boldly proclaim their decision to make the Lord sovereign in their personal affairs.

I want to congratulate you on this step and to let you know that though the trials will come, it is much better to face trials with your advocate Christ Jesus, than with none at all.

The word of God tells us that we have an advocate in Christ Jesus, one who is able to fight the battles on our behalf.

We need not be fearful, but simply stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

For those of us who continue to hesitate, I tell you – I have been where you are and it is no bed of roses.

I can awake on mornings now with a smile on my face and a joy in my heart, with a feeling of contentment and a knowledge concretized through experience, that there is no battle that can come up against me, which I cannot overcome through Him who loved me enough, to give His life for my sake.

I invite you this morning – take a step of faith and receive the deliverance of the Lord. Not only will he enable you to live a life of victory and assurance but He promises to be with you always, even to the end of the age/world. (Matt. 28:20)

This month we are focused on the activity of Evangelism and Missions and our scripture text also admonishes us to make disciples of all nations.

Let us as obedient servants of Christ, also extend this privilege to others around us and let us spread the love of God to all our neighbors and even our enemies, that we may fulfill this mandate and so bring to pass the Lords perfect will towards His creation that we may rejoice with them for all eternity.

God richly bless you.

Scripture References: Matt 28:18-20 Ezek. 36:25-26 Gal 5:22-23 Matt 22:14

Heb. 4:15 Rom 8:1-3 2 Cor. 5:17 Phil 4:13