January 13, 2019 First Sunday after Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 43 The Redeemer of Israel

1But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. 5Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:1-7 NKJV

15Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16John 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. 17His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3:15-17 NKJV

One of the points of division between denominations is baptism. Should there only be believers baptism or should children be baptized also? What about family baptism? Does it matter how much water is used? Does it matter whether it is “living water” or just any water? These are only some of main issues about baptism.

The two protestant sacraments (or sacred events) interestingly have very little description in the Bible of how they should be done and most of the teaching is about why you should or should not participate in the sacraments.

(Baptism is such an amazingly deep study I have included a previous message on baptism which comes from the Seven Deadly Sins messages shared earlier to be able to look at the baptism of Jesus.)

Why was Jesus baptized by John? John pointed out Jesus had no need to be baptized by a human being yet Jesus replied it was necessary. Jesus had not just to show us the way but to reveal Himself as the way! So each step Jesus took was a guide for us as we seek to live out our salvation by drawing near to Jesus and growing in our relationship.

God has honored us by reclaiming us and reinstating God's protection on us and the psalmist helps us discover some of the ways God protects and empower us. As we follow Jesus in baptism and throughout our lives these promises are made real in us!

God's concern for Christians is so great He will even crush other nations for our good. When we walk in fear of the people and nations God will see all will be done for our blessing and protection so we will be free to beget spiritual children.

We do not have to react in fear of fire and destruction but marvel in the amazing promises and blessings God offers to we who do not deserve but are offered to us out of a loving Heart! 

Jesus led the way to Baptism and leads us throughout life to the Father!

Question 6 1Peter 3:18-22, Genesis 7:6-10 Water is Baptism? Water is God’s way of showing the fullness of His grace.

“6 Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth. 7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood—he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals—those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not—along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah. 10 After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth.” (Genesis 7:6-10 NLT)

“18 ¶ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 ¶ And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.” (1 Peter 3:18-22 NLT)

Why do we fight about Baptism? It amazes me that we can fight over Baptism which is a sign of God’s grace.

Baptism is done by God! Baptism is a symbol of what God does in us! The important part is not how we do Baptism, but that we by faith allow God to work in us.

Water is not the important part! Jesus will baptize us with fire and the Holy Spirit. The word fire has the idea of lightning.

Our part is faith, not the ceremony! Our faith opens our lives to God’s power and purpose working in and through us. Infant baptism acts through the faith of the parents and is seen in scripture in the story of the jailer who had his whole family baptized in the middle of the night! (Acts 16:25-34)

“That which we do not understand we

turn into ritual or ceremony.”

Saved through water. Peter reminds us that baptism is like the Ark and is God’s way of saving us from the flood and from destruction.

Cleansing power. Baptism is a symbol of God’s cleansing power. Peter reminds us that God’s cleansing is not removing dirt but cleanses our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ!

Symbol of resurrection. Baptism incorporates us into the resurrection of Jesus and is a symbol that God enables us to join with Christ in heaven. Peter says it so beautifully:

“18 ¶ Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.”

God left the glories of Heaven and made the way for us to call Heaven our home!

“Baptism is something done by God, not done by us!”