THE
WATER
What
can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of
Jesus. Water does not
wash away our sin, only the blood of Jesus will do this. But! we must not
let this knowledge override the
obedience to the commandment to be baptized. Let’s look at Matt.28:19,20
Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost:.
Teaching
them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I
am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world, Amen. Mark 16:15, 16. And
He said
unto them, go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptized shell be
saved; but he that believe not shell be Damned. Water baptism is a commandment
to obey. Is there any exception to this? Yes, if someone is at the point of
death, and if it is impossible for
them to be baptized before they die, as it was with the thief on the cross,
Luke.23:40-43, or any other circumstance that makes it not possible to be
baptized, until there is an opportunity available. But, if we preach or teach
that it is not necessary to be baptized in water, we are going against the
gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore ”in error.” Let’s look at some
scriptures. Matt. 3: 11 through 17. I
indeed baptize you with water
unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize
you with the Holy Ghost, and with
fire: whose fan is in his hand, and
He will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner: but
He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Than cometh Jesus from
Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade him,
saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And
Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us
to fulfill all righteousness. Than
He suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lo a voice from heaven
saying this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
In
verse 15, Jesus said: suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to
fulfill all righteousness. Our Lord said was necessary for John to baptize
him in water. Why did
Jesus make this statement? Let’s
look at 1 John 5: 5 through 8: Who
is He that overcometh the world come but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son
of God? This is
He that came by water and blood.
And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost: and these three are One. And there are three that
bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood: and these three
agree in one.
In
verse 8 , it states: the Spirit,
and the water and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Jesus said in Matt. 3: 15:
suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all
righteousness.
For
if we have been planted together in the likeness
of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed
from sin. Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being
raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, be died unto sin once:
but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also
yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Colossians
2:12-14. states; buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumsion of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having
forgiven you all trespasses. I
Peter 3: 21; the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us ( not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God.)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death, burial and resurrection is
represented in water baptism. Acts 2:38; repent and be baptized. We accept Jesus
Christ as our Lord and Saviour. We
repent and ask Jesus to forgive us
of our sins. We stand on his loving
word that states he will forgive us of our sins.
We
than should be baptized, with Jesus being our example. Matt.3: 16 states:
Jesus came straightway out of the water. He was completely submerged or how else
could He come straightway out of the water? Completely submerged under that water, which represents the
blood of Christ; going down, that old man, full of sin and wrong, but coming up
a new creature in Christ Jesus. I I
Cor. 5: 17; therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Washed clean, white as snow, not by the water, but blood, the
water representing that precious blood. But
that water, which is clean, clear, flowing.
John 19: 34. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and
forthwith came there out blood and water.
For
thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Arise and be baptized.” Let’s read
Acts 8: 26- 39. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Phillip, saying, Arise, and
go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which
is desert. And He arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia,
an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who
had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for
to worship. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot and read Esaias the
prophet. Then the Spirit said unto
Phillip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot and Phillip ran thither to
him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what
thou readest?
And
He said, how can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Phillip that
he would come up and set with him. The
place of the scripture which he read was this,
HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND
LIKE A LAMB DUMB BEFORE HIS SHEARER, SO OPENED HE NOT HIS MOUTH: IN HIS
HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY: AND WHO SHALL DECLARE HIS GENERATION?
FOR HIS LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH. And
the eunuch answered Phillip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet
this? Of himself, or of some other
man?
And
in Acts 2:38 & 39 the promise of the Holy Spirit is for us to receive, so
that we may do what John 14:12 states: Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than
these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. To receive the fullness of God.
Should be our desire. To be one with God, Jesus and Acts 2:38 & 39
The promise of the Holy Spirit is for us to receive, so that we may do what John
14:12 states: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works
that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I
go unto my Father. To receive the fullness of God should be our desire. To be
one with God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Do we have to be baptized in water
before we can receive the infilling of the Holy Ghost? Let’s see Acts
10:46-48; For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God, Then answered
Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them
to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days. God can do what He wants; any way He
wants to do it. Let’s look at Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration
and renewing of the Holy Ghost. This scripture really brings the full picture of
the righteous Christian. The beginning; Jesus
saved us with His precious blood, the water representing the washing away of all
sin; being regenerated.
Webster’s
dictionary gives this definition for regeneration; Spiritual renewal or revival.
A
revival is burning in our soul, desiring “All” of God; to be one with God;
to know Him more than we ever have before. Then the fullness enters in. The
renewing of the Holy Ghost.
1
Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, weather we be
Jews or Gentiles, weather we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.
The
first part of this scripture states, for by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, How does this take place? Eph. 4:4-6 There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One
Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all,
through all, and in you all.
Verse
5 states Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
As
1 Cor. 12:13 states: For by one Spirit.
Lets
look at another scripture in Psalm 139:13-16 For thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother'’ womb.
I
will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy
works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My
substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously
wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine
eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members
were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of
them.
Now
lets see 1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,
see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever.
In
verse 22 the word states: seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying, the
truth through the Spirit. In Jon
3:5-8 the word states: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is
spirit.
Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it
listeth, 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.
1
Peter 2:2 As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may
grow thereby: There is that
uncontrollable desire for more of God that is overwhelming the newborn
Christian, given by the Holy Spirit.
Let’s
look at Isa. 41:17 & 18 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is
none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God
of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and
fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of
water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isa.
44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry
ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring:
Ezk.
16:8 & 9 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time
was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy
nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith
the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.
Then
washed I thee, and I anointed thee with oil.
Gen.
7:1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for
thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
1
Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of god
waited in the days of Noah , while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that
is, eight souls were saved by water.
God
purified the earth, with as God purifies our souls, as we walk the road of
righteousness.
Lets
look here in Eph. 5:25 & 26 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of the water by the Word.
Heb.
11:3 States that: The worlds were framed by the Word of God.
We
are “framed” by the Word of God.
In
Hosea 4:6 the Word says my people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge:
And
in Isa. 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no
knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up
with thirst.
Now
lets look at Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water.
Gal.
3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Before
the new earth is occupied by God, the old is purged with fire. 2 Peter 3:7
Now
see Acts 2:38 & 39, Matt 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 2:1-4
and many more (See Thesis on the Holy Spirit).,
Here
are some scriptures on washing with water, under the law:
Exo.
30:20 40:31-38
Lev.
6:28 8:6 11:32 15:12
16:4 & 24
Num.
19:9,13 & 20,21 31:23
Heb.
9:19
Scriptures
used from the Old Testament
Gen.
3:4,5 7:1
Psalm
139:13-16
Isaiah
5:13 41:17,18 44:3
Ezek.
16:8,9 36:24,25
Hosea
4:6
Zechariah
4:6
Scriptures
used from the New Testament
Matt.
3:11-17 14:24-33
28:19,20
Mark
1:8 16:15,16 & 16:16-20
Luke
3:16 7:30 10:19 23:40-43
John
1:33 3:5 10:10 14:12
17:20-23 19:34
Acts
1:5,8 2:1-4 2:38,39 8:22-39
10:46-48 22:12-16
Rom.
6:1-11
1
Cor. 12:13
11
Cor. 5:17
Gal.
3:27
Eph.
4:4-6 5:25,26
Col.
2:12-14
Titus
3:5
Heb.
10:22 11:3
1
Peter 1:22,23 2:2
3:20,21
2
Peter 3:7
1
John 5:5-8