I'm beginning a new series called 'Back to Christian Basics.' In this series, we'll thoroughly explore each topic from a biblical perspective to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
We begin with the basics of Christianity, and the Fifth topic is 'Baptism’ Let’s Explore What is Baptism, Baptism by water and Spirit, How it relates to Holy Communion.
What is Baptism ?
There is a lot of emphasis on Baptism in Pentecostal church, than the other types of Church. Many of us would have attended a Baptism for Baby at Church. That being celebrated in many ways.
So What is Baptism? the answer to that is given in Mark 16:16 (NIV) 'Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. '
Baptism comes only after we have faith in Christ Jesus and we accept from our heart that Jesus is the Lord and Savior, thats why the word says it “Mark 16:16 (NIV) Whoever believes”
Without being baptised you cannot enter to the kingdom of God Mark 16:16 (NIV) “…baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. '”
John 3:5-8 'Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” '
Baptism happens with two aspects John 3:5-8 (NIV)
Born of Water - “Baptism by water”
Born of Spirit - “Baptism of the Spirit”
When you are baptised you are “Born again” - “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Jesus, even though he was the Son of God, he did demonstrated us how baptism was important, he himself was baptised by John. When he did that the Father poured out the spirit to descend on him like a dove. Mark 1:9-10 (NIV) ‘At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. '
This is a strong reason to be baptized after we believe in the Faith: "We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and His sacrifice on the cross gives us the right to do so.”
We see many Child Baptism done in when they are mere infants. True Baptism comes only when we are in Faith with Christ. There is no infant baptism recorded in Bible. So anything we are doing in infant is just a worldly.
Baptism of Water -
In John 3:5-8 (NIV), it talks about "being born of water," which means getting baptized with water. After you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, admit your sins, ask for forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice, you go into the water and then come out of it during baptism.
When your body from head to toe is immersed inside the water and come’s out of Water - There is something that happens 1 Peter 3:19-22 (NIV) ‘After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.'
When we do the water baptism the following happens.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, thru his blood he cleanses us from the sins we've carried since birth, like washing away accumulated dirt. He washes our whole body which was a instrument for Sin. Every body part is washed by his blood.
Our consciousness is cleansed and becomes free. You are free from the guilt of sin thru Jesus
The old life we used to live and bonded to (religion, traditions, belief's, bondages, rich / poor differences , caste, gender) all are freed. We are no longer in the “Yoke of Slavery”. We are freed by the actions of Christ in Cross.
Galatians 3:28 (NIV) There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. '
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. '
We inherit the to become Sons and Daughters of Christ, As Heirs of Christ - Christ’s characters are given to us as well. We are given the same spirit of Christ to call “Abba, Father”.
Romans 8:14 (NIV) 'For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. '
Galatians 3:27 (NIV) 'for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 4:6-7 (NIV) 'Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “ Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
We have the assurance to live with God, he has prepared us a eternal place thru Jesus.
Some side history for us to remember Why its Water Baptism (I had a question, Why did God choose Water ?, he could have chosen other form?), answer to that is there in 1 Peter 3:19-22 (NIV)
After Jesus resurrected he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits which were disobedient to God from the Days of Noah while the ark was built
Noah and 8 people were saved thru water - We live in a generation thats saved from Noah’s generation where we continue to live
The water symbolises the baptism we have now
Born of Spirit
John 3:6-8 'Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” '
The spirit gives birth to Spirit - What is this Spirit ~ Holy Spirit (We receive the Spirit of Jesus as Holy Spirit ) Ephesians 1:13 'And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, '
When we are born again - Jesus asks the Father to help us with another advocate (in the worldly view think of a personal lawyer who is with you 24x7). John 14:16-17 'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. '
The Holy Spirit is our personal advocate, he teaches us, reminds us of what he has said thru the word of God. John 14:26 (NIV) 'But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit is a guide to you, it teaches you all the things what you need to do in the world, how you should avoid the Sin traps set by Satan thru people or situations. The spirit always looks to full-fill the will of the Father.
Once you are lead by Spirit, your old traditions / Laws do not control you, you are free from the salver of Law. Galatians 5:18 (NIV) 'But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. '
The world cannot see or understand the Holy Spirit you have, it’s like a wind - you feel it but cannot tell where it comes from The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 (NIV) 'The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
As you walk in Spirit, you crucify the fleshly desires of your self and giving priority to God first. Your every day on how you should do every aspect of your life, inner life and all walks of life lead by spirt of God Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV) 'So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. '
This Spirit will be with you forever as long as you follow his commands and walk by him - he will never leave you nor forsake you
Additional Pointers for you to mediate on, depending on your interest, mediate for the holy spirit to guide you and make you stronger.
How God poured out his spirit to the Church. Read & Meditate Acts 2 : 1-15, you will understand
Walking by Flesh vs Spirit - Read Galatians 5:16 to 26
Life led by Holy Spirit - Read Romans 8:1-17
Understanding of Tongues - 1 Corint 14: 13-17
Diff kind of Spiritual blessing - 1 Corinth 12:8-11
By the actions of Baptism of water and spirit You cleanse yourself for the spirit to reside in you and guide you, Making it clean for the holy trinity to reside and guide you.
Holy Communion
After getting baptism, Holy communion is another important spiritual aspect to cleanse us as we live in the world. As we walk in the world, we may be filled with dirts / desires / sins of world.
Holy Communion is to Sanctify us and cleanse us from our Sins.
Why should we Live Holy ?
God wants us to be Holy, without holiness no one can see God. This is why its “Holy” Communion. Each Book of the Bible revolves around a particular theme— Leviticus is a Book on “Holiness.”
The word “holy” or “holiness” occurs over 80 times in this Book. God introduces Himself with an unusual Name in this Book—
Our holiness prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus - 2 Peter 3:10 (NIV) 'But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. '
Outcome of Holiness, we will be taken into a new heaven and earth where we will live to eternity. - 2 Peter 3:11-13 (NIV) 'Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. '
Command for us to Live is to live a utmost holiness (spotless and blameless) - 2 Peter 3:14 'So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. '
What happens in Holy communion
Before we look to Holy Communion, History of how this started ?
Matthew 26:17 'On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
What was involved in preparing for the Passover?, A lamb would have to be selected several days earlier, but there were many other preparations to make
The selected lamb would need to be slaughtered by a priest at the temple.
Unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs, and the dip for the Passover meal would need to be purchased.
Each of the articles of food had special meaning of remembrance of God’s actions on their behalf
The Lamb – Its blood on the doorposts of homes in Egypt had saved them from the angel of death. The lamb is roasted whole and eaten.
The Unleavened bread – signified the hurried manner in which the meal was eaten.
Four cups of wine – reminded them of the four promises God made to them just before they left Egypt. (Exodus 6:6-7 ~ Rescue | Freedom | Purpose | Joy)
The whole Communion happened with Jesus and his disciples as a new covenant, - Matthew 26:19-29
The Passover of Old tradition to new covenant ~ Bread | Body
Matthew 26:26 'While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” '
The old tradition of taking a lamb is gone, when Jesus gave himself in the cross for us.
Jesus used unleavened bread, which was common during the Passover meal. He blessed it and broke it, as was customary. But then, Jesus introduced something new by saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." In the Passover, the unleavened bread reminded Jews of their freedom from Egypt. Now, Jesus is saying that this bread represents His body and signifies that true deliverance will come through Him.
When we eat the bread we are telling him that he is our deliverer and we trust him as the source of all. We need to sustain our spiritual lives. By eating the bread we say that we are sharing in or benefiting from what happened on the cross. We are enjoying forgiveness and restored fellowship with God.
We do this to remember God has set us free, with his works in Cross we are free from this sins Romans 5:7-8 (NIV) 'Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. '
Blood of Lamb to Blood of the Covenant
Matthew 26:27-29 (NIV) 'Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” '
The old tradition of Wine and Blood of lamb is gone when he said “Drink from it, all of you.” its not only for the Jews, its for all of us.
Old tradition of the blood sprinkled on doorposts so that firstborn sons were spared is gone in the new covenant with the blood of Jesus.
A covenant is like a special agreement between two parties. When Jesus says, "This is my blood of the covenant," He's talking about a new agreement, and this time, it involves His own blood “MY Blood”, not the blood of animals.
On the cross the blood of Jesus Christ has been shed; it was “poured out.” as 'It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ' Hebrews 10:4
The blood of Jesus helps us “cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! “ Hebrews 9:14,28
Few things we need to know
The meal and blood is given only to those who have faith in Jesus, This is why they don’t offer the holy communion in Church (”the bread and wine”) to non believers when they go to Church.
Every time we partake in the passover meal of the Lord, we need to do this with
Reverence - பயபக்தி
Fear - தெய்வ பயம்
Deep sense of gratitude to Jesus for his work in Cross. - நன்றியுணர்வு
Do not take the holy communion by committing a Sin knowingly and say wash me to the lord. 1 Corinthians 10:21-22 (NIV) We cannot commit Sin knowingly and Come with the attitude we will clean ourself 'You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he? ‘
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