I remember the first time I entered the Church of God. Everything was so much different than the churches I had previously attended. I had a very warm welcome with many "God bless you's" and smiling faces. Naturally, this was odd to me. It isn't everyday that you meet so many sincerely happy people.
After my first study, baptism was offered to me. This was odd occurrence number two. I had always been taught that baptism came with a great deal of time and studying. It wasn't until I came to the Church of God that I was taught that the Bible actually teaches something different.
The Bible teaches us the importance of baptism and the purpose of being baptized immediately.
After Jesus Christ preached with his disciples for 3 years, he gave them a very important command in order to continue carrying out the gospel mission:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All Authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples by baptizing the people and THEN teaching them everything Christ commanded them. Very often we are taught that this process is the other way around; that first we must learn everything, then be baptized. However, Christ commanded them to baptize first.
Then what is the purpose of being baptized BEFORE learning everything God commanded?
As people destined to die on this earth we are stained with sin. (Romans 6:23)
"Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh but Spirit gives birth to Spirit." John 3:5
When we are physically born into this word we are born of the flesh. In order to be born of the Spirit, we need to receive the Spirit of God. Without the Spirit of God, how can we possibly understand God's words?
My Mother gave birth to me and then she taught me everything I need to know. If you think about it, God's administration works in the same way. First we are born of God's Spirit, then God helps us to grow by teaching us everything that He has commanded us.
It wouldn't make sense for my mom to try to teach me everything while I'm in the womb without first giving birth to me.
I think you see my point.
"..but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit...This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.The man without the Spirit, does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them.." 1 Corinthians 2:10-14
God's teachings, God's Word, is taught to us by God's Spirit. Without first receiving the Spirit of God we cannot understand the words that God speaks to us.
Somewhere along the line of Christianity, people stopped listening to God and trying to teach on the terms of human wisdom, hence so many different denominations.
God commanded us to be baptized immediately so that we would know it is God teaching us and not the mere philosophical thoughts of human beings.
How do we know that we have been baptized correctly and received the Spirit?
Jesus Christ commanded them to baptize in the NAME of the Father, the NAME of the Son and the NAME of the Holy Spirit. If all three names are not used, then it is not a real baptism.
(He didn't say title, he said name)
The name of the Father is JehovahThe name of the Son is Jesus ChristThe name of the Holy Spirit is Christ AhnsahnghongWithout God coming in the flesh, we wouldn't be able to carry out baptism. Baptism started with Jesus Christ, as he began his ministry, the very first thing he did, was get baptized. He did this to set an example for us.(Luke 3:21)Christ testified to come again to this earth to bring Salvation AND to bring the New Name of Jesus Christ. Without the name of the Holy Spirit, we do not have a true baptism in this age. 2000 years ago they had up to the name of Jesus Christ and even those who received John's baptism, had to be baptized once again, in the NAME of Jesus Christ.(Acts 19:1-4)Now, in the age of the Holy Spirit, we must be baptized in all three names. (Rev 3:11-13 - New Name)In the age of the Holy Spirit, God the Father and God the Mother are giving us eternal life. We must receive the New Name and be taught everything God has truly commanded us in order to receive Eternal Life."In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk not solid food." Hebrews 5:12Even 2000 years ago Apostle Paul told the people that there was much to tell them but they were slow to learn because they needed to be taught all over again, this time the teachings of Christ. In the same way, nowadays many things throughout the Christian faith have been distorted and changed. God clearly tells us that nothing can be added or taken away from the word of God. (Rev 22:18) Therefore, we must be taught once again, the basic truths of God's word. This is why God came back to this earth in these last days, to give us the truth so that we may be baptized and receive the true Spirit of God."In the last days... He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in His paths.." (Micah 4:1-2)
Baptizm is seal of salvation, first step to forgiveness of our sin.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who wants to have salvation should receive baptizm immediately!
ReplyDeleteIn the age of the Holy Spirit, we must be baptized in all three names.Now we must know the name of the Holy Spirit to receive real baptizm.
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