Water baptism is a necessary step for all believers.
In Acts 2:38 & 41 we read the Apostle Peter's words, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Then we read... "Those who accepted his message were baptized."
Being baptized in water is an outward sign of the transforming work God has done on the inside! It's a public declaration that proclaims:
"I am dead to my old life and have accepted Jesus' promise that I am alive in Him!"
And before he returned to heaven, Jesus said to his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20)
Please realize this is not a religious ritual, but should come solely from a heart of obedience in our love relationship with our Father.
It is a commited step of dedicating oneself to God and a separating oneself from the things of the world.
Before you take this step one has to go through a process of sanctification.
David prayed like this and this is a prayer I often pray.
Psalm 139:24
Lord show me if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting
If we measure ourselves in the natural, one will always think of themselves as being very good. We must allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of conviction. To show us the sinful ways so that we can repent ie. Turn away from sin and not only to repent but to turn fully to God's ways.
Sin always separates us from God, so we need to walk daily with repentant hearts. These are the words of Charles Surgeon:
Repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. God's little children repent, and so do the young men and the fathers. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.
After repentance one needs to come into a place of full conversion and surrender. Giving up the old way of life and surrendering to God's perfect not permissive will.
This is done by the process of transformation:
Romans 12:1 & 2
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I pray that God will sanctify, renew your minds and transform you. I pray that God will not just be your pursuit in trouble but that you will pursue him every moment for as you seek him so you will find him. I pray God will give you a zeal and thirsting after him. I pray God will fill you with the Holy Spirit and cause you to be empowered for purpose. I pray these new words will define you as you enter God's kingdom - love, service and sacrifice, because out of your love relationship with God it is automatic you will want to touch others live with his love and grace.
May your days be so enriched with the Father's love now and forever more.
Amen
Walk Good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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