Baptism
Over the course of human history,
the atonement of guilt by the shedding of blood is found in many religions.
Despite the piety of the worshipers, the blood of animals or even that of human
beings cannot remove sins. Only the blood of Christ Jesus, who died on the
cross in our stead, has the power to cleanse. But after almost two thousand
years, where can we find his blood today? The answer is found in water baptism,
where the wonder of God's miraculous cleansing takes place.
A Redeeming Fountain
Origin
"One of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side
with a spear, bringing a sudden þow of blood and
water." (John 19:34).
The sacrificial death of the Lord
Jesus on the cross opened a fountain for cleansing that þows
to this day. Anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and repents of his sins may
be washed freely through baptism.
Effect
When performed according to the
biblically prescribed mode and in the name of Jesus Christ, baptism carries the
marvelous power to remove all sins, for the precious blood of our Lord Jesus is
present in the water by the Holy Spirit's witness. God has confirmed the
baptism in the True Jesus Church by showing countless visions of Jesus' blood
in the water and by working miracles of healing.
Water, Blood, and the Holy Spirit
If baptism were merely immersion
in water, then it would be nothing but a religious rite, since water cannot
take away guilt. But the mystery of baptism lies in the profound unity of
water, blood, and the Holy Spirit. "This is the one who came by water and
blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And
it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the Truth. For there are
three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in
agreement" (1 John 5:6-8). With the presence of the Holy Spirit, the
precious blood of the Lord Jesus is still in the water during baptisms
performed by the church. Baptism, therefore, is far more than a symbolic act.
The Biblical Way of Baptism
THE CANDIDATE:
·
Believes Jesus Christ as Savior and the True
Jesus Church as his body
·
Believes in the power of baptism
·
Repents of all sins
·
Determines to be a follower of Christ
THE BAPTIST:
·
Has been baptized
·
Has received the Holy Spirit
THE MODE:
·
In the name of Jesus Christ
·
Body fully immersed
·
Head bowed
·
In natural flowing water
Why Should I Be Baptized?
Most believers of Christ claim
that baptism is simply a rite for becoming a church member or just an
expression of a person's belief in Christ. This assumption makes baptism
unnecessary for salvation. But what does the Bible tell us? Let us look at what
the Bible says about the effects of baptism:
To Be Cleansed
"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins." (Acts )
"And now what are you waiting for? Get up,
be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16)
To Be Saved
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark )
"And this water symbolized baptism that now
saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
(1 Peter 3:21)
To Enter God's Kingdom
"Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no
one can enter the kingdom
of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)
To Receive A New Life
"We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
To Put on Christ
"For all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
