May 18, 2020 Higher Everyday Devotional :- BAPTISM IN WATER IS BASIC
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HIGHER EVERYDAY
MONDAY MAY 18, 2020
BAPTISM IN WATER IS BASIC
BIBLE TEXT: MATTHEW 3:1-17
MEMORY VERSE: “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 lighting upon him” (MATTHEW 3:16).
Water baptism is an outward identification of a believer with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. It is a public declaration of one’s faith in Christ. Only those who are genuinely converted are eligible for water baptism. Jesus Christ submitted to water baptism “to fulfil all righteousness”. Everyone who truly believes should submit to water baptism as commanded by the Lord. According to J. C. Ryle, “We ought to regard the sacrament of baptism with reverence. An ordinance of which the Lord Jesus Himself partook is not to be lightly esteemed. An ordinance to which the great Head of the Church submitted ought to be ever honourable in the eyes of professing Christians.” Wilful negligence to surrender to this ordinance endangers the soul.
The appropriate method of water baptism is by immersion in water once in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Water baptism comes after repentance and faith in Christ. Water baptism done in infancy or before conversion is null and void. For such persons, there is need for the proper baptism.
QUOTE: Water baptism comes after repentance.
CHALLENGE: Have you had the proper water baptism?
PRAYER: Help me Lord never to be ashamed of You.