Friday, June 15, 2012

Baptism Debut

BAPTISM DEBUT

#5 of 7 devotions in Salvation series

John 3:28-29

“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of Him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for Him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.”

He’s Coming devotion compared Jesus’ second coming to a wedding. Jesus is the “bridegroom.” Christians—His church—is Jesus’ “bride.” John also compared Jesus to a bridegroom in the opening Scripture. As the bridegroom’s friend, John attended to Jesus when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:6).

It Was For This devotion began with Jesus’ baptism. Coming out of the water, Jesus’ baptism showed both the Father’s words and the Holy Spirit’s delight (Matthew 3:16-17). Jesus baptism was His debut (da-BUE means entrance, introduction, presentation, first appearing). Baptism was Jesus’ first action as an adult. This introduction to the world as God’s Son began Jesus’ ministry.

Baptism for sinners also introduces new believers to the world. A person admits being a sinner, accepts Jesus Christ—as God’s Son—as their Savior and Lord. He or she is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, then immersed in the water. Now dead to sin that's buried under the water, the person comes out with new life. This public debut of faith announces to the world who that person serves.

Unlike confessing and repenting, baptism needs to happen only once.

Jesus says in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

What if a person believes in Jesus, but has not been baptized? The thief who was crucified next to Jesus got saved right before his death. The thief asked Jesus, “remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” JESUS CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS! God tests the sincerity of one’s confession and repentance. He sees inside out hearts. Jesus answered Him, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43).


This is the only Biblical exception to someone being saved without first being baptized. Are you willing to offer yourself up as another exception?


Take Home Nugget

Matthew 3 also shows something interesting. In verses 7-8, John yells to the Pharisees and Sadducees—Jewish teachers of the law and politicians—hovering nearby. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit with keeping to your repentance.” John did not baptize unrepentant sinners.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offense in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24).

J.D. Griffith


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