Dr. Paul Manuel—2002
We are here to witness the baptism of these candidates. Each one came from a different religious tradition but, through God's providence, they have all come to the same decision. They have all realized The Necessity of Purity. Because it is important that they understand the significance of what they will do today, I asked each of them two questions. First...
The second question I asked them was more difficult. Accepting that baptism is not necessary for salvation...
As I said, obedience to Jesus' command is not the only reason for baptism. In fact, when I asked them why they wanted to be baptized, they gave another reason, that baptism signifies a cleansing from one's old life apart from God and a fresh start to one's new life with God.
When we come to the Lord, we break from our sinful past and pledge ourselves to live righteously before Him. Baptism is the ceremonial purification marking that decision, the symbolic removal of what once defiled us and made us unfit for God's service. Ananias, a Jewish believer from Damascus, understood the importance of this act and, after Paul's conversion, said to him...
The candidates do not have to list for you the specific sins they are washing away this day. That is not why you are here. Your role is to witness the event, to rejoice in their decision, and to support them. It is also to register your expectation that you will see their commitment to God bear fruit.
There should be one other consequence of your being here: It should remind you of your baptism, of how you broke from your sinful past and pledged to live righteously before the Lord. How have you been doing lately?
As these individuals make their commitment to God this day, I encourage you to renew your commitment. If you have not lived up to the expectation you raised at your baptism, resolve with them to be different. The Necessity of Purity should be an abiding concern for all believers. Thankfully, cleansing is a renewable resource, for...
- Is baptism necessary for salvation?
Luke 23:43b I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.According to Jesus, baptism is not necessary for salvation.
The second question I asked them was more difficult. Accepting that baptism is not necessary for salvation...
- Is baptism necessary at all?
Matt 28:19 ...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,According to Jesus, baptism is necessary.
As I said, obedience to Jesus' command is not the only reason for baptism. In fact, when I asked them why they wanted to be baptized, they gave another reason, that baptism signifies a cleansing from one's old life apart from God and a fresh start to one's new life with God.
When we come to the Lord, we break from our sinful past and pledge ourselves to live righteously before Him. Baptism is the ceremonial purification marking that decision, the symbolic removal of what once defiled us and made us unfit for God's service. Ananias, a Jewish believer from Damascus, understood the importance of this act and, after Paul's conversion, said to him...
Acts 22:16b ...be baptized and wash your sins away....Baptism washes away the impurities of the past.
The candidates do not have to list for you the specific sins they are washing away this day. That is not why you are here. Your role is to witness the event, to rejoice in their decision, and to support them. It is also to register your expectation that you will see their commitment to God bear fruit.
There should be one other consequence of your being here: It should remind you of your baptism, of how you broke from your sinful past and pledged to live righteously before the Lord. How have you been doing lately?
As these individuals make their commitment to God this day, I encourage you to renew your commitment. If you have not lived up to the expectation you raised at your baptism, resolve with them to be different. The Necessity of Purity should be an abiding concern for all believers. Thankfully, cleansing is a renewable resource, for...
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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Jim Skaggs