Baptism (7 views) Subscribe   
  From:  David (DavidABrown)    5/15/2001 5:53 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 3)  
 
  34.1  
 
Baptism Water, Fire, Spirit
Baptizo (907) wet, wash, dip, dye, stain
Verses - Mat 3:11 20:22 28:19 Mark 16:16 Luke 12:50 Rom 6:3 1Cor1:13,14 10:2 12:13 Gal 3:27
First Use: Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou (Moses) shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash (baptize) them with water.
The word Baptize is a very loaded word and has a couple definite significant meanings. First it means to take on the appearance of something else by dipping, for instance a piece of red cloth that is then dipped (baptized) in white die, the cloth then becomes white. This is like us being baptized into Christ Jesus we take on the appearance of Jesus. We take on the appearance or characteristics of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, characteristics of love patience kindness ect. We do not however become gods; we remain humans, but humans with a new outlook and new relationship with God.

Also baptism is associated with death by drowning if a person were to drown in water it would be said that they were baptized, they were dipped and they became one with the water. The image to the Christian is one that the Christian has had a conversion the Christian now recognizes the kingdom of God and has chosen to live in Gods heavenly kingdom while choosing to die to self and the worldly system. Signifying this decision the Christian is baptized in water signifying dead to this world and alive to Jesus, also signifying a washing and cleansing renewal in the new sinless life with God.

Baptism Water:
Water is an element in cleansing and washing. The Levitical priests at the age of 30 were publicly washed with water signifying their cleanliness and start of priestly duties. Likewise when one becomes a Christian we become clean and a part of Jesus priestly kingdom. We as Christians are also each a priest that means that we can each approach God. In approaching God we offer our own individual offerings to God, including prayers and fruits of praise and thanksgiving to God. 

The water baptism is significant to the converted believer; the washing in water is also a symbol to the spirit realm that the baptized person is cleansed and now in the kingdom of God. Evil spirits and demons lose the bondage they once had on a person. The demons can no longer go to the believer, at the desire of the demons. Unfortunately though the believer can still go to or invite the demons into their life, and there will also always be periods of testing and sifting, that include demonic attacks. But a baptized Christian is now in a new relationship with God, a relationship that includes support, protection, and guidance. Water baptism is a commandment from Jesus, and is something every obedient Christian has to take part in.

Baptism Fire:
Fire is also a cleansing element. Fire cleanses items from corruption and disease. Fire also strengthens items, clay jars are stronger and more reliable and more useful after they have been in fire. The baptism of fire also helps us becoming more like and more identifying with Jesus. The fire in the life of the Christian is the fire of trials and testing. The important thing about this fire is that it is Gods fire. God controls the circumstances in the believers life. He turns up the heat to refine us by taking out the impurities in our life. We lack compassion so God allows circumstances in our life, in order to give us a heart of compassion like His heart. Trials and fire create in us compassion and mercy, eyes to notice the hurting and suffering that is going on around us, and a heart to desire to change it. The fire also strengthens us; it gives us hope and a clearer picture of who God is and how powerful He is. As the fire of circumstances burns in our life we become stronger knowing from past experience that God is in control, this gives us patience and the ability to reach out and help others.

Baptism: Holy Spirit
Another Baptism where we become more identified with Jesus is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that when He left, He would not leave us as orphans but that He would send the Comforter the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our comforting friend He teaches us right from wrong He guides and directs us, He gives the Bible meaning to us, and He teaches us to pray to the Father. 

The interesting thing about Christianity that separates Christianity from all of the worlds religions and makes Christianity not a religion but a relationship, is that God has come to us. All of the worlds religions focus on man and mans shortcomings. The Christian relationship with God focuses on God coming to man. The way of Christianity is that God meets us where we are, He leads, He guides, and He instructs us into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Himself. Religion has man guessing and attempting to get mans act together in the hopes that some god will approve and then reward man with something like money or fame. In the real relationship with God, God says I know that you make mistakes, He knows our thoughts and our angers, but He says He is bigger than any of that, when we look to God we replace our fears, our anger with His love, His compassion. When we replace what we have with what God has for us, we are being baptized.

Excerpt from the book
Basic Christian: Theology
By David A. Brown






David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    6/1/2001 3:32 pm  
To:  ALL   (2 of 3)  
 
  34.2 in reply to 34.1  
 
Springtime is a wonderful time of renewal. It has been approximately seven years since that wonderful spring day when I was water Baptized. I remember the day well, it started in Church one Sunday there was an announcement for an upcoming baptism service.
I met in the room where the announcement had instructed those interested to meet. The assistant pastor came in and seeing me asked why I was in the room. I told him I wanted to be baptized and a look of concern emerged from his face. Concern because I was already a member of the Church and in the interview with a Church Elder I had assured him that I was a believer in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and that I had been previously water baptized, in other words that I was a Christian in good standing with God and the Church.

All of it was true I did and do believe very much in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and I was water Baptized but why the new need to be water Baptized again. In the year that I had been attending that Church I met Jesus in such a powerful new way, I believe this is called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. With this new Spiritual relationship with Jesus I began to really include Jesus into my life moment by moment not just one hour on Sundays. I began to Worship and honor Jesus and to submit myself to the authority and Lordship of Jesus. In short with this new relationship with Jesus I wanted to confirm or re-confirm my commitment and unity with Jesus in water Baptism.

I remember friends at work and at Church got a big laugh when they found out the Christian fanatic was going to be Baptized. They thought certainly a second baptism must be against the rules. I assured them that Christianity is a relationship with God and the only rule is Love and with Love for Jesus I was perfectly able to be water baptized again.

The scheduled day of water Baptism came and went and it has indeed been one of the best days of my life. It is the day of joy that I measure all other days against. I consider the other Christians who were also baptized that same day to be a special family, we have often looked at each other and rejoiced in the joy we have received by being baptized.

This spring as I reflect on that glorious baptism that took place now several years ago I am reminded of one of the verses from the Bible that encouraged me to get baptized.

Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

As Christian believers Jesus is our example. Jesus was water baptized so that when we get baptized we can relate to Him. In water baptism we are doing and obeying what Jesus did. I went to the room the day that the baptism announcement was made in Church because I did not want to one day stand before Jesus and have to explain why I did not love Him enough or respect Him enough to follow His example and be water baptized.

In this spring time of renewal and hope it is my hope that many people will also choose to demonstrate their love and commitment for Jesus by joining in the oldest of Church functions the water baptism.

By
David A. Brown






David A. Brown
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   From:  David (DavidABrown)    6/8/2001 2:29 pm  
To:  ALL   (3 of 3)  
 
  34.3 in reply to 34.2  
 

The Glorious event of Baptism has been continually carried out by the Christian Church since its beginning 2,000 years ago. 
* here is a picture from a Baptismal font from the 12th Century 
http://shell5.ba.best.com/~parsons/font.html 

http://www.disciples.org/baplief.htm 
Baptism Disciples 

http://www.bible.org/docs/theology/eccles/baptism/mode&sub.htm 
Baptism ways explained 

http://www.elmaghtas.com/xcavation/xcavation.html 
Baptism Archeology 

http://www.bible.org/docs/theology/eccles/baptism/bapt.htm 
Baptism 





David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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