He That Abides In the Doctrine of Christ, He Hath Both the Father and the Son - Part 1248

"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 from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4)

The theology that exists within the religious culture today stems from the inability of modern day organizations to reconcile the way new believers were water baptized in the early new testament church with the "changed" and "rewritten" scripture Matthew 28:19. This stance, even though the roman catholic church has readily admitted changing this particular verse. Still, as we have repeatedly said here before, the Word of God is true and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

This is why it is critical for believers in Jesus by faith to study the scriptures for themselves, so that they cannot be led astray by a false religious dogma whose motives differ. And thankfully, some are searching His Word for the truth, which might explain why many church organizations today are decidedly removing water baptism from their respective statements of faith.

In that context, what they are doing however is missing a critical step in salvation, that both Jesus and the apostles commanded. Remember, Jesus Himself was baptized by John the son of Zacharias as an example to us, and similarly, that old testament prophecy would be fulfilled. As we also know John's baptism was the baptism of repentance, whereby those baptized were cleansed on the outside. His mission began when the Word of God came unto him in the wilderness.

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight, Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the bough ways shall be made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:4-6; Isaiah 40:3-5; Isaiah 52:10)

Because John had been filled with the Holy Ghost from birth, he knew that there was one coming after him, who he was not worthy to baptize. Much mightier than John, "the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Luke 3:1-22)

"John answered saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, whose fan is in His hand, and He will purge His floor, and will gather the wheat unto His garner, but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable." And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people." (Luke 16-18)

As a point of clarification, note what Jesus said to His disciples about Elijah. "And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things, but I say unto you, "That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them." Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the baptist." (Matthew 17:11-13)

But I have digressed from my original point. If we as believers in Jesus by faith do not move forward in our personal relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords, not being water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we still wear the clothing of the world. Although our faith journey has began, we fall short of becoming fully clothed in His righteousness. 

Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness ..." (Matthew 6:33)

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready, and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. And He said unto me, ""See [thou do] it not; I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:7-10)

Read that again -- "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:8)

We are the bride of Christ -- those who have repented and been buried and resurrected into Christ.

"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 dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ Jesus being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath nor more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once, but in that he lives, he lives unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:1-11)

This is why Peter standing with the eleven told the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost to "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:36-42)

"The like figure where unto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21)

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Jesus answered Nicodemus, saying, "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)

"And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8:36)

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12-13)

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ..." (Titus 3:5)

Herein, the beginning of the early new testament church, of which we are partakers, and wherein the Head of the Church (the body of Christ) is Jesus. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

But beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of this world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8)

"For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in Him which is the head of all principality and power ..." (Colossians 2:9-10)

And this only makes sense, given that Jesus said, "ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH ... AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY [EVEN] UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Stand in the offering plate.