Putting your house in order before Christ’s return baptism

Many people don’t understand the importance of water baptism, Pastors don’t make a big deal out of it. Church tradition often blurs the lines to what’s important and what’s not. Many infants who are baptised have no knowledge of it taken place which it’s why it’s not biblical. Water baptism has to be a committed decision to give your life to Christ.

The sprinkling of water is also not biblical. If anything is not found in the Bible then we should NEVER build a doctrine on it. Another reason for others not getting baptised is pride as it’s long-term disobedience or ignorance.

Many think they are a Christian but they are simply not. Jesus said ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’

The word baptise means to immerse and was the practice of the early church. John the Baptist never sprinkled people with water, it was a full immersion in the River Jordon. It’s a public declaration of your faith, your identity with Christ, and an illustration of a new creation.

At the moment that Jesus was baptised by John there were significant events that happened:

1. heaven was opened.
2. God’s spirit descended on Jesus.
3. God’s voice was heard.

A dove is often used as a symbol of peace, represents God’s holy spirit descending on Christ. This gives Jesus the power to equip him for his earthly ministry.

If we use the image of a house for our souls, repentance is like house cleaning before an important guest arrives. Cleaning the house shows respect, honour and welcome for the guest. Repentance does the same as we ready ourselves for Christ’s imminent return.

So why was Christ Baptised, to begin with?

We are not baptised into Jesus Christ because we are a sinner. It is not a baptism of repentance:

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for (us) to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”

When Jesus was baptised all three persons of the Godhead were present which showcased its importance. Jesus went through the procedure, The Holy Spirit descended after He was baptised and not before and then God the Father spoke from heaven. God bent over backwards to emphasise the importance of being baptised in water. It is not a baptism of repentance as Jesus had no sins to repent, but it was fitting for (us) the Godhead to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus identifies himself to all that will follow Him through the waters of baptism. Christians have repented before baptism, but the reason it MUST be done is to fulfil all righteousness as a mirror of Christ’s baptism. I find it strange that some people refuse to be baptised like some only take the bread in communion?

Romans 5:1-5

“Therefore, since we have been (justified) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Being justified means being declared not guilty or made righteous. Through our faith in Jesus, we have been acquitted, found not guilty, we have been reckon-righteous and made righteous. That’s why everyone should put His house in order as a top priority in preparing for Christ’s return. Water Baptism essentially is a commitment to and identification with Jesus. It’s excepting the kingdom authority has come over your life.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death?

Christian baptism is identification with Jesus in death, burial and resurrection. We died with Him in the watery grave buried with Him. Out of the watery grave, we arise to walk with Him in the newness of life, a new creation different from what we were before. Christ was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit for the glory of the Father. When we are baptised, it signifies we have come to the end of our old life, and from now on we will repent and be like Jesus. When we come out of the watery tomb it’s to walk with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was raised from the dead by God the Father through the Holy Spirit. He was declared to be the Son of God, like the heavenly realm declares you as sons and daughters of God when you turn to Jesus. In water baptism, we act out the reality of the water baptism.

Baptism is something Jesus commanded us to do. After the decision to receive Christ everybody should be baptised. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness by dying on the cross, so as believers we should take up the cross.

Do you have to be baptised to be saved?

No, because the issue is belief, not baptism itself. The relationship from baptism to salvation is similar to obedience. If you are saved you will obey Christ, the fruits from your life will reflect this. Faith without works is dead. So, when you are saved you are baptised as part of obedience.

When should you be baptised?

Delayed obedience often results in disobedience. Baptism is a basic command of obedience, so what happens over time there is a diminished experience of God’s blessing in our life and powerless prayer. The Bible doesn’t teach that we should understand baptism before we are baptised it’s about personal obedience, so it should be as SOON as a person is saved:

Acts 16:30-33

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then (immediately) he and all his household were baptised.”

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and salvation

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