Monday: The Holy Spirit Unites Us Through Baptism
Read 1 Corinthians 12:13. How does baptism unite us with Christ and with the Spirit?
It is the Holy Spirit who unites us into one body of believers. The public entrance into Christ’s spiritual kingdom is through baptism. We are baptized into a specific church body. Thus, baptism has a distinct communal dimension and important communal implications.
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As followers of Christ, we cannot live just by ourselves. We all need the support, encouragement, and help of others. And we certainly cannot fulfill the divine mission alone. That is why God has created the church. To follow Christ means following Him in the fellowship of other believers. Thus baptism and the church have a visible component to them.
Read Romans 6:3-7. What is symbolized through biblical baptism?
The act of being buried with Jesus Christ through baptism into death in the watery grave and being raised to new life in fellowship with Jesus our Lord and Savior symbolizes the crucifixion of the old life and the public confession of accepting Christ as our Savior.
“Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God.” – Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1074.
Baptism is a positive step with which all who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit must comply. In other words, baptism marks true repentance, the crucifixion of the old life, and it signals the new birth or conversion. It also encompasses mutual covenant obligations. The believer promises to be faithful to God and His commandments, and God guarantees that we can depend on His help whenever we need it.
| Have you made a decision for believers’ baptism? If not, what hinders you from following Christ in baptism? If you have been baptized by immersion, how has your baptismal covenant impacted your spiritual walk with Jesus? |
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Is one (1) baptism enough. In other words if you were baptised leave the church or commit some horrible sins do you need to re baptize or can you earnestly pray and ask for your sins to be forgiven
In view of the silence on the issue in the Bible, it is probably best left to the individual to make that decision. I know of people who have been rebaptized and others who have rejoined on a profession of faith. Ultimately, it is what the baptism signifies that is important, not the act itself.
The bible isn't silent about it Maurice. Read Acts 19:1-5, where Paul baptizes the disciples again in Ephesus after they confessed that they did not receive the Holy Spirit when they were initially baptized.
Ronald, it appears to me that the situation in Ephesus was very different from the question under discussion. The people in Ephesus had not heard of the Holy Spirit or of Jesus, but had only been baptized in the manner that John baptized. When they understood that Jesus was the Messiah and that He had died for them,, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:5
Great lesson. Does the Holy Spirit baptize us into denominations?
Arlette, Ephesians 4:4-5, answers your question: there is one body, one faith, one baptism and one Spirit. The church is the body of Christ, and Christ has only one body.
One body, one faith = ONE church, ONE faith
I would say ABSOLUTELY YES! 1John 1:9 says that all one has to do is to CONFESS OUR SINS and then GOD PROMISES not only to FORGIVE but also TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
NO! The Holy Spirit Baptizes us into JESUS and HE never claimed to belong to any particular CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.
True Pete Jesus was not baptized into a denomination, but He was a part of God's commandment keeping people. Also when we are baptized into Christ we are baptized into His body and His body is the church.
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Arlette: baptism is your public commitment to God, your public acceptance of Jesus as your Savior and the public demonstration of your willing surrender (death) of your old life for the gift (rebirth) of your new life in Christ Jesus.
You are not baptized into a denomination or an organization.
There are no denominations in heaven nor will there be any in New Jerusalem.
Being baptized has given me a much needed sense of belonging. Belonging to God and to a family of believers.
This is vital because it has been through the church that I have been encouraged to follow after Christ and have also been most challenged in my Christan journey. It's in the church that I've learned to accept differences, love others unconditionally, give, share my gifts and talents and to edify when the Spirit impresses,
I've also learned to endure and encourage others to endure difficulty, injustice or uncertainty by reading and believing God's promises and wisdom. I've learned and am learning to trust God's love despite my feelings. It's been a valuable experience in spiritual growth.
When I was baptized I was baptized into Jesus, not a denomination. I was accepted as a member of a denomination after my baptism or subject to my baptism for the purpose of using the organization to do an efficient work with Him as my motivation. If we think that the organization of the denomination is Jesus we are in for a rude awakening when we find out the truth.
To some in the church He will say, "Depart from me he workers of iniquity. I never knew you."
It seems to me that God's true church is found in many places and throughout the world. The connecting link is the Holy Spirit, not the denomination. We are all connected together by God through His Spirit.
If the denomination is of God, it is directed by the Holy Spirit with the mind of God central to it's organization and direction. It's decisions will then be as the Mind of God. It cannot be otherwise.
Baptism is twofold, a witness of accepting Christ , a symbol of death to sin and evidence of justification. Secondly its a declaration that God is now the pilot of your life, you abdicate the decision making throne and as a servant you serve. That being said the life lived after immersion indicate the sincerity behind your conversion. Baptism shows the world acceptance of Christ, but a Christlike life will testify that indeed you were baptized unto Christ through his Holy Spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit that we walk in this newness of life, Jesus being the way. How does the Spirit unite us then? lf it is the same Spirit working in all of us we surely are united in the body of Christ, he will surely not act to one not as to the other. We will bear the same fruit, in diversity of Gift work for the same edification, preach the same Gospel and exalt the same God
Baptism is a public proclamation of renewal of our spiritual membership with Christ by the help of the Holy spirit.Indeed, Christ died and rose on the third day, a sign of baptism,death and resurrection to Christians.I have the following issues with baptism:
1.Does it have to do with age?
2.Can physical maturity influence our spirituality in the context of baptism?
3.Is baptism by immersion a must for all who'll qualify to go to heaven?
4.What's the fate of the righteous dead in Christ who didn't undergo baptism by immersion?
The thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptised and he will be there. It seems that opportunity is the factor and in times of ignorance God winks. Follow Jesus.
Weather you are gentiles or jews we one in christ
The thief on the cross is an example of one who wasn't baptised yet paradise was promised to him.
Surely assumptions are not advisable, the fate of the thief whether he was baptised prior the cross is unknown. He was a Jew and definitely he knew who Jesus was, he knew about the Messiah as well. In a nutshell, lets take Jesus at his word 'unless be born of water and fire you CANNOT'. Who are we to start deliberating on issues that need the very verdict of God, my advice lets take Jesus at his word.
My response to the thief on the cross is all to do with opportunity. Had there been an opportunity, I believe he would have been baptized.
Baptism is publicly accepting to uniting with the christian family and walking in the faith. Before the physical immersion, one must have personally made up the mind to follow Christ and to be part of the Christian walk.
If we have heard the voice calling us to join the christian family why not take the vows, it is important to belong somewhere.
While Sis White's analogy of baptism above, as quoted in the SDA Bible Commentary, is a beautiful one, could there be another way of conceptualizing this important object lesson?
- Scripture records Jesus as stating prior to His baptism by John, that their action was appropriate to "FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Mt 3:14-15).
- Scripture also records what might have been the reason for the baptizer's initial hesitation (Jn 1:15,30,33).
- Scripture also records the reason for John's choice of location for his practice (Jn 3:23).
Now, if John baptized in his chosen location because "there was MUCH WATER there", doesn't the rite take on greater symbolism given that Christ was also prophesied to be a Baptizer employing a different medium (Jn 1:33)? So now John's medium--water, represents the equivalent of Christ's medium--the Holy Spirit.
Now, Scripture emphasizes the importance of baptism ( Lk 7:30; Mk 16:16). It also teaches that all men are sinners (Rm 3:9, 23) separated from God, if not in possession of His Holy Spirit (Rm 8:9,14). Like all men who naturally breathe air to live, sinners do not naturally breathe the medium--water--that they are baptized in (Jn 3:6; Rm 8:5). So Jesus is pictured as being a baptizer, like John. However, He (Jesus) is portrayed as immersing sinners in a medium FOREIGN (different from what we normally live by)--BUT ESSENTIAL--if we're going to live a life like His (Act 10:37-38).
Who can live while IMMERSED in FIRE (Mal 3:2-3; Mt 3:11; Lk 12:49-50; Rm 6:1-7)?! Hence, any human who has been FIRE (Holy Spirit) IMMERSED (baptized) become a favored recipient of an INTERNAL LAW from God (Act 1:4-5) similar, but superior, to all previous laws (Rm 8:2; Gal 5:18,22-23; Heb 8:6,10,13)!
This lesson is proving to be very interesting, and all the conversation's afterwards. For me, I was not baptized into a church, but into Jesus Christ, I became a member of a church years afterwards. That's my believe. I became a member of a group of believers so I'd have friends to worship with. I believe in Jesus first and foremost. Then I have friends who believe in Him also. That's my reason for going to church.
I believe it is important to differentiate between heart work and external symbols.
Symbols and rituals help us to celebrate internal changes but are not requirements.
I believe that Jesus explains "born of water & Spirit" in John 3:5, in verse 6 - where he says "flesh & Spirit" i.e. born as a human being and re-born as a spiritual being. I do not believe in this verse that He was referring to baptism.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
However I do believe that Jesus' baptism by immersion was done as an example for us to follow and was done in the place of those who through circumstances were unable to follow His example. It is a symbol of death to the old life and new birth to the new life in Him.
Shirley, this a very brave and true statement you have made here. I have seen this same fact to be true in spite of some who seem to need it to refer to born of the water to make a strong point for baptism.
Baptism is symbolic of a very real condition of the soul that Nicodemus needed (and we need) In order to understand what Jesus wanted to share with him (and us). To be born of the Holy Spirit means death to selfishness and life to the Character of Christ in us. This is the practicality of the symbol of baptism.
Hi Don, I believe in being baptized through immersion as part of the process of conversion based on many other texts but not on John 3:5. Using this text to promote water baptism gets us into trouble with John 3:6 where Jesus says we cannot enter the kingdom without being born again. I don't believe Jesus is saying without an external ritual we cannot enter the kingdom.
Shirley, doesn't Jesus' example, teaching, commission and the apostles fulfillment of it tell us the physical water baptism (if not impossible to fulfill) is indeed a requirement today? Like circumcision and the blood of lambs prior to Jesus, today we have similar reminders and actions of faith we are given to perform for our own good. It was impossible for the believing thief on the cross to be baptized, but Jesus' promise to him tells us exceptions are no problem for the Lord. However, if possible, we must follow the directive of Christ who said "whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved". Didn't Peter, when filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, tell the inquiring souls "repent and be baptized, everyone of you..."?
Hi Robert, Yes, I believe the Word requires baptism, I just don't believe that it is based on John 3:5,6
To compare or judge someone else's reason for, or the method of, one only needs to read the baptism of Jesus and John the Baptist's example. Most on this list participate in baptism by immersion.
I understood your meaning Shirley, and my reply was to point out that Jesus' words and example are taken together to tell us the meaning of His words. He was leading a sinner to find eternal life and gave him truth to follow. The commission given to all His followers brings the same truths to their proper importance, as revealed in the teachings and actions of the apostles under the Holy Spirit's influence. In His words to Nicodemus, I read a literal meaning given in response to Nicodemus' question to Jesus' first statement. No symbol used as I read it. Jesus meant what He Himself experienced "to fulfill all righteousness".
If "water" is a symbol of something else, then "Spirit" must be as well. Where does that lead us to?
Shirley, I agree with your observation that Jn 3:5 isn't primarily Jesus' effort to endorse water baptism. I understand a primary and secondary interpretation of this particular text.
Jesus came to earth in fulfillment of prophecy. He came to relieve humanity of the misery that is sin, and He would accomplish that in an ordered, systematic way (Isaiah 9:7). God called the nation of Israel for the purpose stated in Ex 19:5-6. He invited them into partnership with Himself for His central purpose of relieving sin-enslaved humans (Gen 12:2-3). He describes this work through the allegory of establishing a "kingdom" (Dan 7:13-14; Col 1:13-14). It was in fulfillment of prophecy (Dan 9:26-27) that God's Lamb (Jn 1:29) now held a conversation with Nicodemus, a leader of God's covenant people (Jn 3:10). It was as Israel's King (Mt 21:4-5) that He conversed with one from its leadership and outlined the order governing "the kingdom of God" ...which He REPEATED for EMPHASIS (Jn 3:3,5,7)! This was a fulfillment of Dan 9:27 (compare Mt 15:24; Rm 1:16; Acts 26:23).
Jesus wasn't spotlighting baptism per se, He was outlining the ONLY path to Israel's prominence in the eyes of Him who had called and commissioned them as a "kingdom of priests" (Ex 19:6; Mal 2:1-2,7-8). Unfortunately, as a nation/group they rejected both the God-appointed "water" ministry of John (Lk 7:29-30; Jn 1:31) as well as the Spirit ministry of their King (Mt 21:37-38; Act 2:36, 38-39). This , I believe, is the primary application of Jn 3:5, but I think there is also a secondary one as well.
Shirley, while for purposes of discussion/conceptualization it may be necessary to "differentiate between heart work and external symbols", it is also necessary as individuals and as a community that we also understand how "heart work" and "external symbols" are related. At the center of God's interest is the transfer of humans He created from our present unacceptable state to another meeting His approval (Col 1:13; Jn 8:12). All the symbols employed from the OT right through to the NT, are either directly or indirectly related to God's central interest. Those who are transferred becomes the citizenry of "the kingdom of God" (Jn 3:5).
No one who has ever earned a PhD, does so while seated in the undersized desk and chair of his/her kindergarten class. However, conversely, I don't know of any PhD's who go around agitating for the destruction of all kindergarten institutions! Jesus taught that "water" baptism AND "Spirit" baptism were BOTH a part of "the kingdom of God" experience (Jn 3:5). "Water" being a symbol of John's/OT ministry (Jn 1:6-7,31; Lk 16:16) to which Jesus subjected Himself as an example to His NT disciples (Mt 3:15; 5:17; Lk 1:67,76-79; 1 Pt 1:10-12). As John baptized with water, similarly Christ would "immerse" His people "under" the ministry of His Holy Spirit (Mal 3:3; Jn 16:7-13; Mt 12:32)...producing individuals who look JUST LIKE their Creator (Act 10:38; 2 Cor 1:21-22; Gal 5:22; Jer 9:24)!
I think Shirley is correct. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be “born from above” in Jn 3:3. This is about the new creation, new heavenly birth, being “born of God”, spiritual birth - the real thing. Jesus told the woman at the well that He deals in “living” water which springs up to everlasting life. That was referring to the Spirit. He told His disciples that they were “*clean* through the WORD which I have spoken to you” Jn 15:3. At supper He said, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and *you are clean, but not all off you(Judas)” Jn 13:10,11. There we see that foot-washing symbolizes the edification, counseling, encouragement, and admonishing with the Word in our fellowship and assembling together. “...the words that I have spoken to you are *spirit* and are life”(Jn 6:63). “He saved us... according to His mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit...”(Tit 3:5,6). “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, so that He might sanctify her, having *cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word*...” (Eph 5:25-27) That is the *water* God employs to give birth to His children, to sanctify...
Ezk 36:25-27; Isa 44:3-5. These are the prophecies concerning the Spirit. These are not references to literal water. Jesus never actually water-baptized anyone. It was noted(John 4:2). Paul said he was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17). He baptized a few people. Water baptism does not cleanse. It is an affirmation of the work the Spirit has already done in or on the believer(Act 10:47,48; 8:36-38).
The “must” birth involves living water.
Wasn't Jesus making it clear that the outward show of baptism was powerless without the Spirit? Doesn't He make the the two inseparable? Many have gone into the water and come back up unconverted. Some did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit until they took part in the baptism of water. Philip went out of his way to baptize the Ethiopian in water after teaching Him of Christ, and since he was led of the Spirit, we can believe that the need of the Spirit was faithfully taught, so this man could go home as a witness with power to his homeland(Acts 1:8).
Jesus' example and His commission for "baptizing them in the name of..." and adding that "whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved", not separating the two baptisms/births in that statement, which would agree with what He taught Nicodemus.
For any who are able, the water baptism is as important as Jesus demonstrated it to be, while the baptism of the Spirit is vital in order to be a true Witness of Christ.
Jesus taught his disciples the meaning of baptism by giving an example of what it means to be baptized and be ordained by God into the dedicated life of being a child of God and ordained to work with Him as a missionary.
I belive that one of the most important elements that is needed for someone who is seeking is REPENTANCE , he or she MUST be fully aware of the idea of a true n heart felt REPENTANCE . When a person is truly repentant he will be open to the enabling of the HOLY SPIRT n therefore will have a change in their behavior n take a different direction in life. It is vital to have n commit to that behavioral change n thru the working of the HOLY SPIRIT in our lives we will b lead in a new direction.
The only question that I have regarding baptism and the purpose is, are there adequate preparations made to be Baptized and is it necessary, or is it mainly because we go through the motions as we are told?
Paul, I believe there is a preparation appropriate for baptism. I believe that knowing what the whole Bible says is not adequate preparation, however. Adequate preparation must include being born of the Holy Spirit such that our life changes from being naturally motivated by selfishness to being supernaturally motivated by God's true Love via the Holy Spirit. This is the way all God's Children begin eternal life.
By this action we are justified and by this action throughout life we are sanctified and saved eternally. Studying the doctrine of truth will happen in the regenerate heart and will continue for eternity, but just studying doctrine for six weeks or six years is not enough preparation for baptism.
The test of faith for baptism involves true repentance. A change in the appearance will always be evident. The facial expressions are different in the regenerate soul. The choices in dress and adornment will be different for the truly regenerated soul. Choices in diet will be changed by true love in the soul. Business practices will change. Interpersonal relationships will be affected by God's Love in the soul. Etc. etc.
Don you state that"on being born of the Holy Spirit such that our life changes from being naturally motivated by selfishness to being supernaturally motivated by God's true Love via the Holy Spirit" My question is "will motivation by selfishness be changed for ever or will it eb and flow?"
Steve, my experience has been that when I do not "watch and pray" as Jesus told us to do, the work of the Holy Spirit seems to "eb and flow" in my life--more eb than flow. But when I remain aware of my thought and feelings in relation and in comparison to what I know of Jesus and I think to pray for the Holy Spirit to motivate my thoughts and feelings, I see more of a flow and a rising of my consciousness to the mind of Christ.
It seems that God is very respectful of our choice to let Him into our lives or go without His motivation.
Steve, I believe (as some others do) that we can be eventually sealed in experience in which we continue to "flow" with the Holy Spirit in the driver's seat all the time in our lives. This is the life Jesus lived and continues to live as our example to follow.
Of course this requires our continued consent.
"are there adequate preparations made to be baptized...?"
That will depend upon who is preparing the candidate. Many are quickly prepared without a thorough foundation for faith. I've seen many baptized that had no idea of what they were committing to and when finding out later, walked away.
In Testimonies 6 there is a chapter on preparing candidates for baptism. Read that and see how it compares to what is done in most places for the last 50+ years.
If baptismal candidates are prepared with a list of rules and dietary restrictions, this is not enough no matter how extensive the list. If the candidates are prepared with the vision of giving up life as we have known it for an unknown life with Jesus as our driver, involving many changes in lifestyle and attitude to conform with the lifestyle of God's Love in our mind to motivate us, they can be ready for a standard even higher than the church can now offer in its rules and regulations or baptismal vows.
Death to self is more difficult than following a few rules, but when we realize that It is worth it all, even to the point of physical death and giving up things that hurt us and others that we once cherished, we are at a point of preparation for baptism that is more realistic than just knowing a few church doctrines.
Being prepared and deciding to change drivers in our lives is where the born again experience begins and continues. Many candidates are baptized feeling that they have come to the end of self with the experience of symbolic baptism, but it is only representative of a continual life of the same dying daily that prepared them for baptism in the first place. For some it may involve seemingly greater changes than for others, but all have besetting sins that will require death to self and seeing God do the whole work of changing the motivation for these sins of thoughts, feelings, and actions into the Love of God motivating the will to produce the Righteousness of Christ in the life.
Don, the chapter "Baptism" in 6T is enlightening. What did Jesus teach(Mark 1:15)? What are we to teach(Luke 24:47)? Once they are joined unto Christ, understanding what that entails, won't the Holy Spirit guide them into "all truth"?
Since Jesus begins with "repent", how do you suppose He presented it? What motivates genuine repentance(Rom 2:4)?
From this we can see that much of preparing a candidate for baptism might rely more on our ability to demonstrate the "goodness of God" toward sinners. I would conclude that proper preparation would be best promoted by the Godliness of the instructor and less on the number or type of rules handed out. If God is glorified and His Holy Law magnified(not by "hammering" people with it) by how it sanctifies our life and is demonstrated as Jesus demonstrated it(especially in Gethsemane, during the trial and on Calvary), many would be won by the goodness of God, and less by the abundance of "guidelines". More important to teach how to "study to show thyself approved unto God...", and lifting Jesus up(John 12:32) so all can look and live. The "guidelines" will then make sense and not need to be many as the Holy Spirit will lead them at every step once they are filled with His living presence.
Robert, I have a friend who studied himself into the SDA church from Catholicism. After Bible studies with an elder he was baptized. Later he was told about some of the rules of the church. He felt overwhelmed with what he felt was legalism.
He, then, joined a Baptist church and found Jesus there. In time he remembered about the Sabbath doctrine and re-evaluated in light of his new-found relationship with Jesus and came back to the SDA church. This time the standards of the church seemed to make more sense to him and he lived up to them (and more) without a problem. He wanted everything Jesus had to offer him then.
Don, your story illustrates the vital importance of understanding "gospel order" when instructing baptismal candidates. For so many it is not always followed, and the legalistic approach is often too common. I know of someone also who was baptized SDA as a legalist(his own story), and lived that way in the church for over 20 years, until he found the Living Water in Jesus. He told his story while serving as vice president in a local conference where we used to live a few years ago.
As with your friend, the Holy Spirit will lead the honest seeker for truth on the sure path, wherever that might take them. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and leads each one safely.
Robert. it is interesting when the expression "the truth" has been, and is now used by many SDA's. I doubt that the connotation is the same for everyone. The word by Jesus, often has somewhat of a different understanding than those that see this as part of a denominational doctrine. Jesus asked often," who do men say that I am " His answer was usually connected to "the Truth" Greek meaning, true as opposed to false. Back to proper preparation for Baptism by immersion. I have questioned the age that a very young person understands the reason to be baptized. It appears that it is a family characteristic and desire. I also know that God draws the one being baptized and He knows the heart.