Being Baptized..

"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."

[Matthew 28:19]

Indeed Win Souls and Make Disciple..
That's the great commission..

But first, let us answer this question,
What is Baptism?

Christian denominations differ on their teachings regarding baptism. Others believe baptism to be washing away of SIN. Some believe baptism as an important step of obedience in the life of a believer, yet just an acknowledgment and public declaration of accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior. But always remember that baptism itself has no power to cleanse or save us from sin.

Baptism comes from the original Greek work "Baptizo" which means to wet or submerge, this is totally done by submerging the person totally in water. The idea also is the union of someone or something. We can also say that this is our public confession that we are dead with Jesus to our sins.

Why do we need to be baptized?

We should understand first that it is a commandment that implies that you identifying yourself with Christ as Lord with his death and resurrection to a new life. Indeed,, being baptized is being disciples of Christ.

Being baptized is a CHOICE.
So if someone asked you and you answered "Yes, when I was a baby I was baptized", please be corrected. You were just dedicated to Jesus.. Baptism is your choice, not your parent's choice nor your friends, nor by anyone. Baptism is done by people who are on the stage of making decisions. Right decisions.. Remember that Christ was baptized when he was about 30 years old not when He was a baby.

We also need to BELIEVE.
Belief comes before baptism. According to the scripture "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved but whoever does not believe will be condemned" [Mark 16:16]
NOTE: Again, baptism will not make you clean nor will give you salvation. And as the scripture says, if we believe, we could be baptized and be saved. But if we don't believe, even though we are baptized, we will be condemned and will suffer from the eternal punishment.

Aside from being a commandment, why do we need to be baptized? Well, there were also benefits if we follow God's command. Just like parents giving rewards to their children when they do something that would give them joy.

1. Heavens Open
Just like after Jesus was baptized by John that the heaven was opened. It only means that we can have a direct relationship with God. We could communicate and talk to Him directly. No need for us to pray from any statues or what ever they call a visual art, and the likes. No need to pray that the dead people will pray for us, for the reason that we ourselves could directly talk to God. It was indeed a good practice that other people will intercede for you, but praying for them to pray for you? I guess that's another thing.

2. The Holy Spirit comes upon your life.

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" [Galatians 3:27]

3. The voice of God comes to the heart

Like Jesus, after being baptized, the Lord talk to him and say "This is my Son, whom I am very pleased", we could even hear those words from our hearts that our Father in heaven is telling us if and only if our hearts were genuine upon doing the baptism. Having a repentant heart and a heart that believes.

So why do I need to tell this one? Well, I just want to share this to everyone.
And if you would ask me what happened to my life during baptism and after baptism, well, I felt so light that I think all the burdens in my life were washed away. There is also a proud feeling that I can say to the public that Jesus is my Lord and I am His son. I'm very happy during that time. And knowing what's next? Indeed blessing were showered upon my life. Although trials do exist, yet I can say that my Father in heaven is always there with me, guiding me what to do, and always backing me up when it seems that I can't do it anymore. My faith grew stronger. And many more!

Its like a fulfillment of one of God's promise. That if we are going to remain with God, His word remains in us, and whatever we ask from Him, will be given. Just like parents to their own children. If the child is following what the parents instruct their child to do, they will not hesitate to give their child whatever He want as a prize for his/her obedience. And those rewards were being experienced by Me right now and I'm waiting for more. ^^ Cause I know I had followed Jesus, and will continue to follow Him..


Thanks for reading! ^_^