Thoughts on Baptism: Is it a command? I get asked about baptism. People ask me Is it a command. Yes. It is a command. And if a person refuses to be baptized, I believe they are sinning against God. Some bring up the story about the thief who died next to Jesus and was not baptized. Okay. This is one example but he was also curcified. 1. Jesus Son of God, visible image of God in flesh was baptized. Matthew 3:13-17 KJV Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. [16] 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: [17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 2. As I understand, the disciples were baptized. John 3:22-23 KJV After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. [23] And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. John 4:1-2 KJV When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, [2] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3. In the book of Acts, before or after a soul recieved the Holy Spirit, they were baptized. 4. Peter COMMANDED the Gentiles [non-Jewish folk] to be baptized. From what I understand, Baptism is a command and if I person is able to be baptized and they refuse, they are sinning and they are rejecting the command of Baptism. I get asked about death bed baptism. You know What if someone is dying and they recieve Jesus but were not baptized? I am not God. All I know is the bible commands Baptism so I am not going to tell people not to be baptize when the BIBLE clearly commands it to be so. 5. Jesus says to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV And (((Jesus))) came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, --->>baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ( 1 John 5:7 KJV For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.)
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:31:57 +0000