DCLM Higher Everyday 11 December 2022 — Water Baptism
DCLM Higher Everyday 11 December 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Water Baptism
TOPIC: WATER BAPTISM
TEXT: MATTHEW 3:13-17
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
MEMORY VERSE: “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” (MATTHEW 3:16).
MESSAGE:
A man consistently refused to be baptized even when his family accepted to be baptized. However, listening to his pastor preach on the baptism of Jesus, making reference to verse 15 of our text, and pointing out our need to obey God’s will, the man submitted himself to be baptized in water. He regretted not obeying the Lord’s command much earlier.
Have you been saved and heard about water baptism but refuse to partake like the man above? It only shows disobedience to God’s ordinance.
Water baptism is a rite for every believer immediately after salvation. It is a public symbolic declaration that we now belong to the camp of Jesus. In water baptism, we identify with Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
Water baptism is one immersion and not three – “In the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” as Jesus commanded. However, it must be noted that water baptism alone does not guarantee heaven if sins are not repented of and salvation sought through the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
QUOTE: Water baptism…for every believer.
CHALLENGE: Have you been baptized in water after reconciliation with God?
PRAYER: Lord, give me strength to obey your precepts.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
