1st August 2020
WATER BAPTISM
David Abankwah
READ: Acts 2:38
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, UNLESS ONE IS BORN OF WATER and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
-John 3:5 | NKJV
Water they say is life, is so true. Without water life will cease to exist. One can live several days without food and not without water, not only in terms of drinking but in terms of other life processes. The earth we see, was even born or created out of water (2 Peter 3:5). So if any living being wants to live longer, that being cannot forego water. Water doesn’t only benefit us physically but also spiritually. In terms of salvation, water plays a very important role. I must say that, with the exception of the case like the malefactor who had salvation on the cross “without water baptism,” one cannot have eternal life without water baptism.
Many believers are not yet baptised just because they say that the malefactor whom Jesus Christ saved on the criss didn’t baptise in water, so they too can have eternal life without water baptism. Even though the malefactor didn’t baptise in water, he was baptised by the Holy Spirit. One thing we have to understand is that, water baptism is a symbol of dying with Christ and resurrecting with Him and that was exactly what the malefactor went through. He was already on the cross with Jesus Christ. He was dying with Him and resurrecting with Him in Paradise. In fact the first man to go to Paradise was this malefactor. Stop comparing yourself with someone.
Salvation is individualism. If you have life now, it is better to baptise before it is too late. There is a misconception about water baptism which says that, baptising in water is a way of washing away your sins so you can be a new creature. Water baptism doesn’t wash your sins. It is only the blood of Jesus Christ that does that. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature and not that, if anyone does water baptism, he is a new creature. This is the reason anyone who wants to baptise, must be taught the Word of God, he must repent and must be converted from his sins before the water baptism can come off. Now, how should water baptism be done?
In the five-fold ministry, a Teacher or a Prophet who doesn’t do evangelism cannot baptise (Matthew 28:19). It is either an Evangelist, Apostle or a Pastor who can baptise. Also the Minister must be someone who is without sin. If a Minister is a womaniser and he baptises you, that is what you will also be after the water baptism. Also the immersion of the water baptism, must be done once in the name of Jesus Christ and not thrice in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Where must water baptism take place? Water baptism which is like birth, (see born of water in John 3:5) must be done by immersion in river or in the sea, and not in pool, lake or by sprinkling.
•| Prayer Diary |•
Lift up prayers for the strength of God to keep you in the acts of righteousness, holiness and sanctification after your water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
Washing our hands under running water with soap, teaches us why water baptism must be done in a running water body.
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© 2020 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 