Baptism (2)

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)” 1 Corinthians 1v14-16 (NIV)

Water baptism is for anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and accepts Him as their Lord and Savior. Paul here was clarifying that he did not baptize anyone into his name, even among all those that he baptized. Indeed we are baptized into Christ. In the early Church, there were some believers, who had been baptized by water, but had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as we see in Acts 8v15-16 “When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” We also see a case of those who had received the Holy Spirit, but weren’t baptized. Acts 10v43-48 (NIV) saying “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” Amen. Beloved, have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Let nothing keep you from being baptized by water as well. As the Life Application Bible comments on Acts 8v38 (see below) “Baptism was a sign of identification with Christ and with the Christian community. Although there were no witnesses besides Philip, it was still important for the eunuch to take this step.”

Supplementary Text

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus and about Him. And as they continued along on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch exclaimed, See, [here is] water! What is to hinder my being baptized. And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and [Philip] baptized him.” Acts 8v35-38 (AMP)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for the salvation of our souls, and pray for those who do not yet know You, that You will send labourers to them in Jesus mighty name we pray with thanksgiving, amen.