BEING born again believers means that we are saints and new creatures/creation or a new kind of specie.
This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit or operation of God.
The Bible uses various words to put this across. Before we quote the fundamental new creation realities or truths, we debunk the mystery.
Salvation happens the way that we can see the effect of wind but cannot see the wind. We cannot tell where it is coming from or going to.
We are born of the Holy Spirit, John 3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listeth [wishes], and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
We are spirit and we have a soul and live in a physical being. We don’t worship God via the instrumentality of physical elements.
Apostle Paul says, Galatians 3:26-28, “[26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Verse 27 said were baptised (Greek ebaptisthēte) meaning full immersion, baptizo. Water baptism could not join Jew and Greek to produce new creation.
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From the top of the chapter, he makes a strong apologetics, Galatians 3:3, “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
It is in this sense that we cannot be born again by being immersed into water. It is the operation of God. Water cannot give birth to spirit.
There are many facets to the doctrine of baptisms. For example 1 Corinthians 10:2, “And were all baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;”
Seeing a platform like this cannot exhaust the subject, I will reconcile the practical meaning to the truth of the Bible and give you concluding thoughts. We do not say everything we know about everything.
Many would say they were water baptised, will they miss heaven if born again? Emphatic no. I was baptised as a baby by putting a cross sign by water on my forehead in a mainline church.
While looking for more understanding of the Bible I passed through two different charismatic churches and was water baptised in both ministries.
I passed through Bible School before college and the Bible School needed enough proof and I was water baptised again.
Am I holier? Certainly no! Ignorance wasted my time and confused me a bit. Those who still want to go ahead and get water baptised, you can but it adds nothing to your spirituality.
It will be unfortunate if you get water baptised and not receive and accept the Gospel of Christ because if Jesus returns, you cannot argue that you were baptised in a flowing river.
The question is did you accept or deny Jesus? The moment Jesus Christ enters you, you are baptised into Him.
Demons can leave and you can start speaking in tongues or hands will be laid on you to speak in tongues.
All of the Godhead will be residing in you. It is up to what level the truth is revealed that you walk in all possible gifts of the Spirit.
As Christians, we need to be careful about entanglement by religion and traditions.
Some of us and forebearers pushed through in vigorous that these days you can find a school where you are not asked for a baptism and confirmation certificates to get enrolled.
Last week, we found that the foundational apostles did not baptise in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit but rather in the name of the Lord.
Tradition that is not in the Bible makes some pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
I have said this before, the danger is that it may deteriorate to adding the name of Mary, Michael, Gabriel, etc.
Please do not miss me here. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 did not resolve everything. Apostle Paul went to Ephesus in four chapters later.
Please read patiently Acts 19:3-5, “[3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptised? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
For a sincere Bible reader, please study the book of Acts how water baptism was so important early and faded towards the end of the book.
We learnt that the disciples were growing spiritually. My advice to you, please do not speak from the mouth but from a full head.
Rightly divide this, 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, “[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; [15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. [16] And I baptised also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptised any other. [17] For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” He grew up.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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