The Blessings of Baptism

Since the fall of man the principles of SIN have hardly changed: independence of God, self-satisfaction and the rejection of any responsibility for one's own wrong behaviour. In one word, sin promises every of its captor the position of a god so long as they follow its paths. However, over the centuries it has adapted its priorities and procedure to the conditions of the age. In our own generation it has something for every taste and need. It is equally at home with the influential and rich, with the poor and uneducated, with the young and old and with all those who enjoy esteem or have nothing to boast of.

Sin is good at veiling its character and exploiting half-truths. When we use the word we usually think of drunkards, prostitutes and criminals - all whom have "fallen", but ourselves least of all. Sin can hide behind culture, reputation and excess. In addition it spoils true joy and our appetite for the blessed gifts of God. It denigrates marital faithfulness as outmoded and considers extra-marital relationships as exciting and normal. It induces us to seek any adventure, but without God, if you please.

One thing sin never does is to mention the consequences. You will never hear it say: "The wages of sin is death", i.e., eternal separation from God, whose love and authority have been spurned. Thank God that freedom from sin and death is possible through Jesus Christ, who once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3. 18). Christ brought salvation and gave us a process: "Whosoever believes and is baptized, the same shall be saved".

Quite often, when the subject of baptism is brought up, people are very quick to declare that water can't save anyone, and we cannot be saved by our works. Quite right, yet when we take a proper look at the issue, we just find out that baptism is very necessary in the work of salvation. Look at what the Lord said, "Preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).

To show us the importance of baptism, God pictures it for us: "Are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death. We were buried therefore with Him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4). Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He also arose the third day.

Ananias, as directed by the Lord, commanded Saul to arise, and be baptized, so as to wash away his sins by calling on the name of the Lord. Christ shed His blood in His death; we are baptized into His death, so that our sins are washed away by His blood. God gives us all spiritual blessings in Christ; therefore we are baptized into Christ.

The pattern of the Bereans is commended for all of us. They received the Word of God with all readiness of mind as they examined the Scriptures daily to find out the truth of the claim. Their actions can ginger us to look at the truth as God reveals it, and accept it. God speaks to you in His word, the Scriptures. It is left for you to accept it, and live by it. That is not only my prayer and the reason of this article, but it is the purpose of my life.

Vitus Ejiogu is a writer and publisher with the Fire-Brand Int"l Ministries, a media ministry that is based in Nigeria.

He is the editor of FOUNDATION SATELLITE magazine also published by the ministry. He pastors a Church in Bauchi and is married with two children.

You can reach him at: firebrandhq@yahoo.com or: 234 80 8181 829.

Website: http://www.palmgates.com
or http://www.firebrandhq.com