Be Baptized Part of the difficulty in acquiring a skill or vocation at a later time in life is that full development requires a change in a lifestyle that is increasingly ingrained with each passing year. What keeps most people from learning something new is that to do so, they must let go of the things they’re used to doing within the time it would take to actually learn it. It is not impossible to do, but if there is to be success, there will be full acceptance of the new requirements of time, effort, and even identity, to do so. Also, the more this vow is kept from privacy, the greater its impact will be on the results. Every outward declaration of its kept regimen will further establish an ability to relinquish the old for a new identity. In order to gain the new, the old just has to go. Those who heard the kingdom message of John the Baptist were given an opportunity to participate in the coming kingdom of heaven by preparing for its Messiah. To be a part of what God was about to do, though, required a complete departure from a way of life that dishonored Him, and an embrace of whatever full commitment would take. This began with letting go of an ungodly lifestyle, repentance, along with a public demonstration of this decision that would include every part of their life, baptism. Jesus would later indicate that finding the life He came to give us would require full loss of what we thought life to be. To have any of His new life, we would have to join Him in bringing death to the old life. And, only in a full embrace of life that touches every part of our being can we walk in its newness of life. This will be a full immersion, or baptism that joins Jesus in complete death to the ungodly, and resurrection to eternal life in Him. Without this baptism, there can be no acquiring of salvation’s blessings. Notes Baptism – Washing Immersing (Removing impurities/commitment of all to new) Atonement - Leviticus 16:4 (NLT) 4 He must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are sacred garments, so he must bathe himself in water before he puts them on. Leviticus 16:22-24 (NLT) 22 As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land. 23 “When Aaron goes back into the Tabernacle, he must take off the linen garments he was wearing when he entered the Most Holy Place, and he must leave the garments there. 24 Then he must bathe himself with water in a sacred place, put on his regular garments, and go out to sacrifice a burnt offering for himself and a burnt offering for the people. Through this process, he will purify himself and the people, making them right with the LORD. Baptized “in the” – complete departure from former and commitment into 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. Jesus’ baptism – departure from self-determination to complete Spirit determination Luke 3:16 (NKJV) 16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Cleansing in preparation for the Presence. Acts 2:38 (NKJV) 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repentance and Holy Spirit Acts 19:1-6 (NKJV) 1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Holy Spirit - Repentance Acts 10:44-47 (NKJV) 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” With complete commitment – ability to accept and follow God Luke 7:29-30 (NKJV) 29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. Baptized “in the” – complete departure from former and commitment into 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. Essential for new life Romans 6:4 (NKJV) 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.