by Baruch Okpulor
Only those who have experienced God’s power of salvation have the power to grow and become like Jesus.
Therefore, to experience the birth of the Spirit, one needs to surrender to the steps of salvation including the process of baptism.
Jesus Christ re-emphasized this demand in the book of Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:18-20.
“He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved” Mark 16:16
The apostles who took after Jesus Christ in making disciples of God were commanded to baptize those who surrender for discipleship in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost Matthew 28:18-20.
This baptism which is immersion or burial in water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ which the penitent sinner participates in. That why it is burial where there much water.
As the individual is buried inside the water, he takes part in the death of Christ (Romans 6:1-4). The first set of Christians fulfilled this condition as seen in Acts 2:36-47.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION OF YOUR SINS, and ye shall receive the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT. Then they that gladly received the Word of God were baptized…..”
The individual who has resolved to be enlisted as a disciple of the Lord receives two great gifts at the time of baptism.
One of them is the cleansing and forgiveness of all the sins he has committed in his life and the second is receiving the indwelling Spirit of God as a seal and Witness that such a fellow has become a child of God. At this level, the Spirit begins to empower you to overcome those bad habits and behaviour you were unable to overcome.
In summary, an intending disciple becomes one by hearing the Word of God, believing it and in Jesus Christ, repenting of his past sins, confessing his faith in Christ and yielding to the water of baptism.
Now, you have known the first step to take for the acquisition of supernatural privileges and power to break the power of sin over your life and enthrone freedom. You cannot do it by yourself. You need Jesus today as he says, “I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” Revelation 3:20
As you accept this divine invitation of salvation today, you’re accepting the life of Jesus Himself and His nature into you.
Seek for the Church of Christ near you and declare for God today for eternity is just a step away.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Baruch Okpulor, Author of The Irony of Love, Premarital And Extramarital Relationships
Reach him on baruchmails@gmail.com
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