Post by foxjj on Nov 25, 2019 7:01:13 GMT
Many believe that baptism is a way of getting into Heaven. Can the water's of baptism cleanse from sin? The answer to this question is a resounding No. Only faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can cleanse from sin as we read in First John 2:2: "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." The symbolism of water in Baptism is reminiscent of the cleansing and purification elements ascribed to water. Thus, in some traditions water is poured on the new believers head. However, most follow the practice of the new believer been immersed. This is in accordance with Romans chapter 6, where Paul describes the spiritual significance of the new believer associating them-self with the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the act of being immersed: "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6: 3-5)
In John 3:3, Jesus said: "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." Jesus is speaking of a life changing spiritual experience. He went on to explain in verses 7 & 8 "You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." To have this experience is unique. To be born again is to have had the wind of The Holy Spirit blow new spiritual life into our old sinful life. As a confirmation of this we have 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Webster's dictionary describes Salvation as; a state of being saved, deliverance from sin, redemption. To be redeemed is to be justified, which means to be declared righteous in the sight of God, implying that we who have accepted Salvation offered by Jesus, are guiltless. In other words we have been vindicated because the debt for our sin has been discharged. Been righteous, we are born again and become ethical and principled in our life. Although we no longer live a sinful lifestyle, as humans, there will be occasions when we sin. On such occasions we confess directly to God, as 1 John 1:9 instructs: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Consequently, for a believer who has truly experienced justification and the new life in Christ, there is no bondage of sin in their lives because, they have experienced a new life in The Lord Jesus whereby they can truly say: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”(Galatians 2:20)
The life of a Born Again Christian is one full of hope and forgiveness. We have been blessed to live with the knowledge that we have a Redeemer who went to the cross on our behalf, and was pierced for our transgressions granting us the opportunity of becoming children of God. The designation children of God is not, as some assume, a right given to all people. According to Scripture; it is given to those who have accepted the sacrificial death of our Savior, and only to them because, they are the redeemed. In other words, as redeemed people, we have been bought back from the world of sin as a consequence of accepting the sacrifice of Jesus upon our behalf as Paul states: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Today, let us praise our God for the new life in Christ.
