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Wednesday, October
17, 2007
Watered Down
Colossians 2:11-12 In whom also ye are circumcised with
the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of
the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism,
wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of
God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Speaking of ism’s
and schism’s, what about everyone’s favorite baptism. One so hotly debated,
and yet if taken literally, will just leave you all wet.
Now if we
determined that we weren’t going to literally do the crucifixion thing, and
that stuff about circumcision is definitely out of bounds, why is getting
dunked in a lake, or pouring water over someone’s head suddenly so
important to the believer? If we’re not taking all the other stuff
literally any more, why would this doctrine be taken so literal and out of
context then?
Luke 12:49-50 I am
come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? (50)
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it
be accomplished! (KJV)
We are all
familiar with the baptism of John, but isn’t it interesting the Lord
Himself speaks of one as well. And though many will argue that the Lord
Himself was baptized by John in water, keep in mind they were still under
the old law.
John 1:33 And I knew
him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me,
Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the
same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
One refers to the
outward, the Lord making reference to the inward. Being that God is a
spirit and those that worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth, given
the choice I will take the inward over the outward any day. Could there be
something more to this baptism thing than just getting wet?
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should
be holy and without blemish. (KJV)
If you are going
to cleanse your soul, wouldn’t it be fair to say that it takes a spiritual
water to do that as well, that being the word of God.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all
your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new
heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an
heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to
walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (KJV)
1 Peter 3:21 The
like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting
away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward
God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Peter explains the
difference as well; the cleansing of the inward man is what will bring
peace to the believer.
John 15:3 Now ye
are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV)
There is
definitely a pattern developing here, can you tell which direction it is
pointing to?
Titus 3:4-5 But
after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost; (KJV)
We will continue
with this topic and pick it up from here. Time to clean up our act.
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