#WordForTodayDevotional

Wednesday September 9, 2020

FOUNDATION (3): BAPTISMS 

Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:2 [KJV]

Today we are dealing with the foundation principle of the baptisms.  Notice that it is baptisms implying more than one type of baptism.  The Greek word used here is “baptismos” which is derived from “baptizo” meaning to immerse, submerge, to make whelmed (that is fully wet).  In the New Testament, we recognize three types of baptisms and we shall be discussing them.  First, understand that baptism is the act of immersing someone into something.  It is not to sprinkle. There is nowhere in the new covenant where baptism implied sprinkling of water.  It is to submerge into water.  Over the years, we have seen this error in some quarters of sprinkling water in the name of baptism.  Suffix it to be clearly stated here that such doctrine is not of Christ.  The first type of baptism and the one that should come first is baptism into Christ.  Galatians 3:27 says, ‘For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.’  This experience is what we call the new birth.  It is the initiation into Christ by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth.  When that is done, there is a submerge of your spirit-man into Christ which when is raised up comes up with newness of life (see Romans 6:4).

The second type of baptism is the water baptism.  This is symbolic of what happened at new birth.  Water baptism is a public confession of your identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  You are submerged into the water, signifying the death and burial of Christ, then you are raised from the water, signifying the resurrection of Christ and as you come out of the water, you signify that you are now walking with Christ in the newness of life.  Mark 16:16 says, ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.’  This shows that your salvation is not complete according to Jesus in Mark 16:16 until you are baptised.  Some argue that water baptism is not a requirement for salvation but Mark 16:16 seems to agree that it is.  Believing and baptism; baptism is the confession in that scripture.  It takes believing and confessing Christ to be saved, not just believing (see Romans 10:9-10).

The third type of baptism is the Holy Spirit baptism.  This is what happened to them in Acts 2:1-4.  It is the coming upon of the Holy Spirit to empower the believer for Christian service and testimony.  It is an experience subsequent to salvation.  This means that you must be saved first before this experience can be possible in your life.  It is evidenced by the utterances in tongues of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit upon this baptism imparts to you utterance in tongues that you do not understand.  It is a prayer language to help you communicate with the Father more effectively and to help you build your spirit and faith (see Jude 1:20).  As you pray in the tongues of the Holy Spirit, your faith is energized and your spirit is built up like an edifice (see 1 Corinthians 14:1-4).  If you are not yet baptised, please seek this experience.  You can reach out to us to guide you.  It is very crucial foundation for your maturity in Christ.

REMEMBER:  The three types of baptisms discussed are very foundational.

CONFESSION:   I am an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ.  The blessings of Abraham are mine in Christ.  I have been baptised into Christ, with a public water baptism proclamation and an empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  Glory to God!

PROPHETIC RELEASE:  I decree that the beauty of Jesus begins to reflect in your life from today in the name of Christ Jesus Amen!

FURTHER READING:
Acts 22:16; 18:8; 1 Corinthians 12:13

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Isaiah 3:1-5:30;  2 Corinthians 11:1-15;  Psalm 53:1-6;  Proverbs 22:28-29

PASTOR PRINCE CHIMAOBIM NWABUIKWU
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