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Jesus was our Example

jaboyle100

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Aug 1, 2019
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153
John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, "Repent, change your mind, think differently, regretting your sins. and changing your conduct, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." -Matthew 3:1-2. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the county round about the Jordan went out to John; and they were baptized "in" the Jordan River by him, confessing their sins.-Matthew 3:5-6. Again he said, "I indeed baptize you "in" water because of repentance, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." -Matthew 3:11. Then Jesus came to the Jordan River to John to be baptized.-Matthew 3:13.
Before Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit could not dwell within a person. He was "with" some people, but not "in" them. Jesus was God, but He was also human. Jesus did not publicly teach, perform miracles or do any sort of ministry until after He was baptized by John. John protested and thought Jesus should be baptizing him, but Jesus replied to him, "Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness( right standing with God), that is to perform completely whatever is right.-Matthew 3:14-15.
Permit it just now, for this is the "fitting way" for "us" to fulfill all righteousness; Jesus was telling John, this is what God, My Father in heaven wants me to do. Jesus was showing as an example to all who believe, the proper way to be baptized. And when Jesus was baptized He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.-Matthew 3:16. Went up at once out of the water, means He had to have been under the water in order to come up out of the water. Jesus was baptized by immersion in water. This is the biblical way to be baptized. Jesus was our example. The Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him, means God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit entered Jesus' human body and equipped Him for ministry. Jesus in human form received super-natural power from God, His Heavenly Father, in order to carry out all that He had called Him to do, with completion being dying on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for us.
Behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is My Son, My Beloved in Whom I delight!"-Matthew 3:17. God was pleased with Jesus because He fulfilled all righteousness by being baptized. Jesus going down into the water and coming back up again signified His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus needed God's supernatural power in order to do what God had called Him to do. We need God's supernatural power in order to do what God has called us to do. After Jesus ascended into heaven, He then sent God the Holy Spirit (Helper) to dwell within every person who believed in Him.
The Holy Spirit is the One Who calls us to salvation. The Holy Spirit is the One Who leads us to baptism. The Holy Spirit is the One Who gives us the power to minister. We believe, we confess our sins, we repent, we get baptized. The Holy Spirit moves into our spirit the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are saved and we will go to heaven when we die and live with our Savior Jesus Christ for all eternity. After we are baptized, signifying the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior; we are raised to a new life in Christ. We are now empowered by the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us to do what God called us to do. God had a purpose for each of us before we were even born. The Holy Spirit calls us to salvation. The Holy Spirit calls us to baptism. The Holy Spirit calls us to a ministry.
Lord, I pray that every believer will follow Your example for baptism, that they may be empowered by the Holy Spirit Who dwells within them to serve You in a mighty way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Love in Christ, Jan :)
 
Mark 16:16; "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Acts 2:38; Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16; 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'

Rom 6:3; Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

1 Pet 3:21; Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

People point to the thief on the cross, and say well he wasn't baptized (no one knows that for sure). But even if if this is true. Consider this...

Mark 10:38; But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
Mark 10:39; They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

People often take this to mean some of the disciples died for their faith the same way Jesus did. If this is true.... the thief on the cross was baptized the same way.
 
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