Not An Option!

 "And Peter said to them, '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"  (Acts 2:38, ESV).

NOTE:  I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT SALVATION IS A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION BUT IF ONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY AND DOESN'T DO IT, IT IS A SIN OF OMISSION.  

Jesus was baptized with the baptism of John to inaugurate His public ministry, and when asked why:  "To fulfill all righteousness!" We are to follow in His steps.   John's baptism belonged to the Old Testament and was one of preparation for the kingdom of God.  Jesus 'ministry commenced at this time of ordination and He officially became the Christ, being anointed.   Christ was relating to us, as well as condescending, as an example.  We are subsequently commanded to follow suit and do as commanded: to be baptized ourselves as a public testimony of our salvation.

By the way, Jesus never gave suggestions or good advice, but commands or mandates; we are commanded to be baptized in the Great Commission, and it is not an option or a suggestion!  Jesus never mandated anything He didn't do!  The symbolism alone is enough to make one desire baptism, to be a witness to the community of believers that you are not ashamed to own your Lord and follow in His steps.  We should yearn to relate to Christ and be like Him.

In baptism, we declare our allegiance to Christ and are saying that He is Lord of all!  That is, we are no longer secret disciples, but can openly confess His name as it is written in Romans 10:10 that with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

One main draw of baptism in the early church was to put a slap on the face of the emperor, who fancied himself a god, but they were saying their new loyalty oath as, "Jesus alone is Lord!"  They were committing treason by refusing to say the Roman loyalty oath:  "Caesar is Lord."  This opened the door to persecution from Rome.

We must understand that the mere act of baptism doesn't save (Some believe it's the instrumental means of salvation is baptism, while others believe it is faith), but baptism is only an outward sign of an inward reality:  "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"  (1 Pet. 3:21, ESV).  It's like saying that your house saved you from the tornado because it took the brunt of the damage. Or you could say, "This verse saved me!" meaning it woke you up spiritually.

Actually, there is only one Savior to be reckoned:  "... [You] know no God but me, and besides me, there is no savior'"  (Hos. 13:4, ESV).  God alone is the Savior and will not give His glory to anyone else:  That's why we say, "Soli Deo Gloria!" which, being is interpreted as, "To God alone be the glory!"  Baptism, as an ordinance commanded by Christ, therefore, is symbolism using water to represent spiritual realities.

We should desire to share our faith and to make a public testimony real to our family of believers in order to feel part of the fellowship. We share in Christ's righteousness or "all righteousness."  Baptism is a wonderful opportunity to make our faith known and show that we are not ashamed of Jesus.  We don't merely do it legalistically because we "have to," but we should have a change of heart that makes us "want to" do it in following our Lord's good example.  It isn't one more hurdle to jump through for our salvation to be deemed legit!

Jesus needed no baptism and John demurred, but did it as our Exemplar to show us the way and give us an open door to testify publicly.  So hearing the testimony of others, how they came to know the Lord, gives us encouragement and helps us to see how people get saved in various ways, that there is no one-size-fits-all methodology.  Faith is the only commonality, and that faith must be tested, as this first step is also a test of our obedience to the Lord (if we love Him we will obey Him!).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Tough Act to Follow?

I know what it is like to have to speak after a great performance or Spirit-led testimony:  The question I ask myself is whether I can equal or even surpass his achievement; then I realize that we are on the same side and that God is in control--we both possess the same Spirit, but different gifts. The key is not to be competitive but be yourself and let them accept you.   Different manifestations of the Spirit for the common good, Paul elaborates in 1 Corinthians.  My pastor says that the body of Christ has many parts that are very diverse and we should celebrate our differences--viva la difference! Welcome diversity because a healthy body has it.  The lesson again is:  BE YOURSELF!  God accepts you, so accept yourself and have faith that others will too!

The eye cannot say to the ear that it has no use of it, for instance.   Paul warns us against commending ourselves with each other or comparing ourselves to one another--we are all unique in Christ and God has a different purpose for each one of us.  We should find our spiritual niche, as it were, and fervently and zealously serve God therein.  I cannot read like my pastor and never will be able to or be able to tell a story like he does, but I have a knack for writing (I did not judge this but have been told this) and I sense God with me doing that.

By way of example:  Some people are better with words than others, and some people are better at speaking to the average Joe on the street; note that the common people heard Christ gladly--He was not pompous or flamboyant in his words, but, nevertheless, articulate, fluent, eloquent, and glib I'm sure--saying what He means, and meaning what He says!  We all need each other and the happiest people in the body are those who realize their place and each other's importance, respecting authority, if need be.

My testimony is completely different from my brother's and God has other people I can reach that perhaps he can't with his.  "...But they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise"  (2 Cor. 10:12).  Let's not play the game "Let's compare!"  That's why I believe we should bloom where we are planted and that God doesn't plant us somewhere by accident--but has a purpose!  We all have our own sphere of influence, circle of friends and acquaintances, and the little world to call our own that we can greatly influence faithfully in God's service.  Soli Deo Gloria!