Issue 923 – Under the Water – November 30, 2022
A word of correction from yesterday’s Gleanings, I wrote that we attended a newly formed Ukrainian Bible Church in Edmonton. I must have been asleep at the switch when I typed that because the church is in Abbotsford. My apologies for any confusion.
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I love this spot located partway down a series of waterfalls. It just cries out “tranquillity.”
My first thought on seeing it was, “This would make an awesome baptismal spot.” Its location makes that impractical, but it reminds me of photos I have seen of ancient Israelite mikvahs (a place for a ritual bath or baptism).
All Christian believers are called to be baptized.
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
Even Jesus was baptized.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17
Baptism does not bring forgiveness; it is an outward symbol of something that has happened in your heart and spirit.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:3-5
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. 1 Peter 3:18-22
While not all Christians would agree on this, I believe that believer baptism is the correct form. I understand the arguments for infant baptism but think that each believer should decide to be baptized as an act of obedience and devotion.
I was baptized as an infant, and I appreciate my parent’s desire to do that. Still, upon becoming a believer, I responded to the Scriptures and was baptized by immersion. That choice in no way negates my parents’ desire for me to belong to the family of God. If anything, I see it as a confirmation and fulfillment of that desire.
Have you been baptized as a believer? If not, what is holding you back?
I pray that each of us takes the plunge under the water to be obedient to Christ and to show the world our desire to belong to Him.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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