Monday, July 29th 2024
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
In Mark 16:15-16, the Lord Jesus delivered a powerful charge to His disciples, commanding them to spread the Gospel to every corner of the earth and to every person, emphasizing the importance of water baptism. He declared, “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
The Master in the scripture above highlighted the significance of water baptism as a tangible expression or proof of your believing in Him. It’s a sign of your complete severance from the world. So, everyone who believes in Jesus should be baptized in water.
That’s why it’s important for church pastors to organise water baptism regularly and frequently, ensuring that Christians have the opportunity to publicly declare their faith through baptism. It is essential not to overlook the importance of baptism in the process of soul-winning, as baptism was a vital practice among the early disciples (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, and Acts 10:47-48).
Some believe that when you sprinkle water on people, that’s baptism; but it’s not. If water was merely sprinkled on you and you were told you’ve been baptised, you haven’t been baptized. To ‘baptize’ means to immerse. It’s from the Greek word “baptizo,” which means to immerse or dip completely into.
John employed this method, immersing individuals in water for the washing away of sins, distinguishing it from other ceremonial washings. That was what earned him the name “John the Baptist” or “John the immerser.” Baptism signifies our faith in our union with Him in His death, burial and resurrection (see Romans 6:4). “For in baptism you see how your old, evil nature died with him and was buried with him; and then you came up out of death with him into a new life because you trusted the Word of the mighty God who raised Christ from the dead” (Colossians 2:12 TLB).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. I understand the importance of baptism as a public declaration of my faith and commitment to Christ, and also a sign of my complete severance from the world. I boldly and openly declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord, and I’m awakened to the fatherhood of God, having been made one with Him. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
|| Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ||
|| Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ||
|| Acts 10:44-48
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. ||
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
Romans 4 & Psalms 45-48
2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
Ephesians 4:11-16 & Isaiah 49
Extract From Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
Hello Beloved.
Have a blessed today!
