Baptized With God's Love

The Gift Of Baptism

"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name" Acts 22:16

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." 1st Corinthians 2:13

"And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’" John 1:33

"Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” Acts 13:4

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2:41

"On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." Acts 19:4-6

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Matthew 28:19-20

God Only Asks

"Be baptized, and believe

With all your might"

Once there was a man

Who stood before

Scoffers of the lord

He preached The Word

And all did hear

Because in God

They All Did Fear

Every tongue Every tribe

Every nation Of every side

As he talked about it

They all just stood in awe

"There is a gift

From God above

That you can all receive.

It is from Our God above

You just need to believe

God has sent his son

From Heaven above

His name is

Jesus Christ

The gift he gives

Is baptism

But you must believe

With all your might"

A woman from the crowd

Yelled aloud

"I have heard of him

and yes I do believe in him"

As she raised up her hands

She then began to walk

Over to the man who spoke

About how one receives the gift

She said "I want to be baptized

and cleansed, I want all my sins

That I have done to all be lift."

So he took her down

To the river, that flowed

Straight through the

Middle of the town

And all the people followed them

Yes, there were people

All around

She was then immersed

into the water and she

Cried out

Before the crowd

"I am truly now saved"

And she gave thanks

To the Lord and before him

There she bowed

Then she began to testify

That God gave her

The gift of wisdom

The people in the town

Were amazed by the

Spirit that was now

Abiding in her

Some even laid their hands

On her, because

This amazing thing

Before them all

Had occurred

Then they all went out

And told their friends

How the Holy Spirit

Was at work

A couple of days after

A man came into town

He was full of demons

He thought his life

Was cursed

He had heard

Of the gift of babtism

So that day

He went down

To attend the local church

He was on that day

Free from all

The demonic attacks

In the water

After he was emerged

Never before had anyone

Witnessed a miracle

Inside the church

Then many of the people

Went up to the front

To also get baptized

On that day

All those who watched

Thought to themselves

"Maybe I should

Also be saved?"

This truly is a gift from

God above, that God has given

To us through Christ

And the only thing

That's asked of you

Is to believe with

All your might

What is the meaning and reason of baptism? Many people wonder why it is so important, some believers think baptism is essential to truly have a relationship with Christ, while others believe it is optional and does not affect the relationship. Personally I think that it is very important, If God established it, and because Jesus showed us the example of it, by himself being baptized, it must have some kind of meaning for it's existence.

When you are baptized, you are normally submerged in water, you also are to accept The Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, Accept the Holy Spirit, and allow it to live and work inside you. You are also suppose to ask for forgiveness from your sin, and repentance. Because in scripture as it says up above, ""For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body." One can assume, to truly be apart of this body, baptism is needed. Also, if we are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, if he did it, we should do it, not only as an example or testimony of our faith to others and in God, But also to be cleansed of sins. If we are not cleansed somehow, how can we receive The Holy Spirit, isn't all types of cleansing done with the use of water? God also says to Jesus after his baptism, that he is pleased by it. Shouldn't we also do everything we can to please our father, God? The scripture also allows baptism to be the way of being able to receive The Holy Spirit."

There are many more scriptures on baptism, other than just the few I stated above. In Galatians 3:26-27, it reads, "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." This literally is saying to be children of God we need to be in Christ and baptism clothes us with Christ. When I think of Heaven and me bowing down at Jesus Feet, or standing before God in judgement, I see myself as being guilty of many sins, guilty of Jesus dying for me. I see myself covered in Jesus blood. But then I also have a hope, a hope that because of the gif and the act of baptism, God will also see me as a child of him, as a believer of him, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. I also hope he see's me as a follower of Jesus ways, and of my cleanliness through him. You see for me, baptism is a gift given to us, out of God's love for us, God's forgiveness of our sinfulness, and an act of Jesus Mercy for us.

In all though, baptism is a choice. In life we are given many different choices. What choice will you make when it comes to being baptized? Will you decide to follow Jesus example, or simply decide it is not essential in your walk? It is up to you decide.

Prayer For Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am thankful today for the gift of Jesus. For his example of love and mercy for each of us. I am thankful also for the gift of baptism, because it has the ability to be a part of the body of Christ, because it cleanses me of sin, and also because it is a way of receiving the Holy Spirit. I am glad and joyful you have given us all the choice, of choosing to follow Christ's example, Because I desire to walk with you in all ways, I also like that my choice can please you. I want to show you that I love you in return, and I am joyful you have given me a way to do so. I know you love me greater than I could ever imagine, I believe this for so many reasons, but one of them, is because of this gift. I am far from perfect, I live in a sin filled world, and I need you in my life.

In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen