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Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee, came to talk to Jesus one night [John 3:1-21]. Given what we have noted about converts to Judaism being described as ‘new creations’, and ‘newborn children’, he must have been startled to hear Jesus say that he too must be born again. After all, he was one of God’s ‘special people’, and an important one at that. But Jesus was insistent, without new birth he could not see or enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you,
no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.' [John 3:5] 
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It seemed that baptism was a non-negotiable part of being born again. Nicodemus, like any other convert would have to humble himself and be baptised.
Please pause at this point and read the previous page WASHING THE PAST AWAY: THE GRACE OF BAPTISM, if you haven’t already done so, to get some background to biblical baptism. |
Baptism by immersion is a prophetic act,
demonstrating to the powers of darkness the wisdom of God, and causing a spiritual shift.
www.rhythmsofgraceuk.org/the-power-of-biblical-baptism
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BAPTISM IN THE NAME OF JESUS
As we have seen, John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and forgiveness, Christian baptism includes those elements, but baptism ‘in the Name of Jesus’ is a baptism of faith in His work (Acts 19:3-5), that is, faith in His death and resurrection.
On the page, ‘A Brand-New Life’, we saw that not only do we need forgiveness and cleansing from our shortfall, we also need to be set free from our natural propensity to sin (our sinful nature) and become brand-new people. Bearing in mind that the word ‘baptism’ (from the Greek ‘baptizo’) means immersion, when we go down into the water, we are enacting death and burial. That act declares our faith in Jesus’ death on the cross on our behalf, and it also proclaims that by faith in Him, we have died to our old life. The old self has gone! But of course, we don’t stay down there; as we rise out of the water, we are enacting resurrection. Symbolically we are declaring our faith in Jesus’ resurrection, and our conviction that through Him, we have new life. The new self is here! (And with it, new instincts to live in a way which pleases God.) |
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We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
[Romans 6:3-4]
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death?
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
[Romans 6:3-4]
WHAT HAPPENS AT A BAPTISM?
BAPTISM AS A PROPHETIC ACTA prophetic act is a physical action in time and space which declares a spiritual truth—not only to human onlookers, but also to spiritual powers (both angelic and demonic) in the heavenly realms. Prophetic acts have the power to release heavenly truth on earth.
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As well as symbolising spiritual truth, baptism by immersion is also a prophetic act, demonstrating to the powers of darkness the wisdom of God, and causing a spiritual shift. We are instructed to release on earth that which has already been released in Heaven [Matthew 18:18]; baptism does exactly that—it releases in our lives what has been purchased on our behalf in Heaven.
BAPTISM AS A TESTIMONY
Baptism is also a powerful declaration of faith to those watching. When we testify in word or action, to our belief in the name of Jesus, we stir faith in others to receive the same gift.
BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL BAPTISM
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According to the Bible, when we are baptised in faith…
It also by implication
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Incidentally, nowhere in the New Testament does it say that that baptism has to be part of an official service, or presided over by a ‘minister’, for every believer is a priest. All it needs is water deep enough for immersion, and some other believers, to baptise ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’, and stand as witnesses, (2 or 3 witnesses is a good Biblical standard).
However, it is a good reason for a party… |
Can you see how baptism in water is important to our new stress-busting life?
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE
HEAR & RESPOND to the voice of God
The Introduction to the site describes how Jesus lived a life of perfect rest. He has opened up the way for you to live the same way…
Get really quiet inside.
Turn your heart towards the Lord.
Listen and respond to what He says.
GIVE FREELY because you are blessed
If you have been baptised, take some time now to thank God for all its benefits. (There are printables below to help.)
*To learn more about how this website interprets ‘rhythms of grace’ see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE
HEAR & RESPOND to the voice of God
The Introduction to the site describes how Jesus lived a life of perfect rest. He has opened up the way for you to live the same way…
Get really quiet inside.
Turn your heart towards the Lord.
Listen and respond to what He says.
GIVE FREELY because you are blessed
If you have been baptised, take some time now to thank God for all its benefits. (There are printables below to help.)
*To learn more about how this website interprets ‘rhythms of grace’ see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE
RESOURCES
PDFs to download and print:
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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU
Baptism is an essential step on the journey into rest; the next is the empowerment to live your brand new life. Read on...
Click on the picture
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MORE ON JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION:
Baptism releases in our lives what has been purchased on our behalf in Heaven.
www.rhythmsofgraceuk.org/power-of-biblical-baptism
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RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credits: Vince Fleming (baptism); Matt Hardy (water); Tim Marshall (cross) @ Unsplash, with thanks]