We Are No Longer Under John's Baptism - Part 1173

"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

Who is the Him that apostle Paul was referring to here? Not the "unknown God" to whom the people on Mar's Hill at that time ignorantly worshiped. Rather, apostle Paul was referring to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, who made the world, and all things therein. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He does not dwell in temples made with hands. Neither is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He gives to all life, and breath, and all things. It is He who hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. (Acts 17:23-33)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own but His own received Him not." (John 1:1-18)

"God manifest in the flesh." (I Timothy 3:16)

And they shall call His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Moreover, it is this same JESUS who shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I so that when we seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we can be clothed in His righteousness. Sanctified through the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18) All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9)

The difficulty that believers are experiencing in these days and times is understanding the dilution of the gospel truths that the Lord Himself proclaimed in His Word. For example, lots of churches today are willing to baptize members of their congregation under "John's baptism of repentance" because John's water baptism washes clean the outside. The outer garment which other people within the congregation see.

But doesn't Jesus want to clean us on the inside, filling us with His love? So that our cups runneth over? (Psalm 23:5)

Note what John the baptist said? "I must decrease so that He -- JESUS -- can increase."

Throughout John's ministry, he pointed to Jesus Christ, the one whose shoe latchet John was not even worthy to bear. The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Why did John do this? Because He knew from whence the Master cometh. John knew that Jesus was the He that "is preferred before me, for He was before Me. And I knew Him not but that |He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." (John 1:19-34)

Although John the baptist may only have been a voice crying in the wilderness, He knew that when he saw the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33) Indeed, Jesus was the one who would save His people from their sin.

Thus, when you repent of your sin, and accept Jesus into your heart, and are then baptized in the name of Jesus, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire -- whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge the floor, and gather His wheat into the garner. (Matthew 3:11-12)

Therefore, when we repent, and are water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- buried with Christ -- we shall receive the holy Spirit of God in our temples. The Holy Ghost makes us complete in Him. Not just on the outside, but in our hearts too. We receive the Comforter. The Counsellor. The Mighty God. The Prince of Peace who now leads us and guides us into all truth and knowledge -- through His Spirit. (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:26; John 15:26; I Timothy 3:16)

The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:12-13)

When Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost told the 3,000 people in attendance that in order to receive eternal life, these same had to "repent, and be baptized every one of [them] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin" so that they too could receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, what did they do? (Acts 2:37-42)

After repenting, they were water baptized in the name of our blessed Saviour -- Jesus the Christ. And with many other words did Peter (and the apostles) testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2:40) Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls, and they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common ... and they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2"37-47)

Sadly, however, there are too many modern day churches who don't understand the power and authority that comes with the name of Jesus Christ. These preachers of the good news need to return to the Word of God and recognize/acknowledge that as believers, we are to do every thing we do -- both in word and deed -- in the name of Jesus. (Colossians 3:17)

And this "every thing -- both in word and deed -- includes water baptism.

"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be the dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once, but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise, reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:3-11)

If you don't know Jesus today, there is no better time than now to ask the Lord Jesus into your heart. Find some water and be baptized [buried] in the name of Jesus Christ so that you can be fully clothed in His righteousness -- receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost -- His precious Spirit indwelling in you from this point forward. As promised, He will fill your cup to overflowing just as David the psalmist said, "My cup runneth over!"

Then study His Word. The New Testament in the Bible. Make notes in the margin or in a notebook. Highlight the scriptures that bless you beyond measure. In fact, get to know our Lord God and Saviour who willingly decided -- even before the world was formed -- that He -- Him who knew no sin -- would have to clothe Himself in a sin-prone flesh so that we could know Him personally. And receive His gift of eternal life in paradise with our Lord God and Saviour -- the King of kings and Lord of lords.

In your new faith journey, continually praise Jesus for His mercy and grace. Thank Him for the abundance of blessings that can only flow through His love.

David speaking concerning Jesus wrote, "Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life. Thou shalt make Me full of joy with that countenance." (Acts 2:28)

That very same blessing is extended to you as well. Let Jesus make known the ways of life unto you. Let Jesus fill you with His joy and peace that surpasses all human understanding. Enter into His marvelous presence today. You will not be disappointed.

Stand in the offering plate.