Thoughts From the Bible

  M ark 1:   9- 11-   These three verses show an action of Jesus that many churches continue today. In different denominations, water baptism takes on different appearances . Jesus went to where John the Baptist was baptizing people to  participate , not to be just an observer.  ‘In those da ys Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water,  immediately  He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my b eloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”’   Water baptism is an  ordinance  of the Christian church today because of two key things. First, Jesus justified the practice by  parti cipating  in it.  Secondly, it our individual public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. After we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives, the next big step is this public profession of our faith.  We need th...

Mark 1: 4- 8-   Baptism with water is a public proclamation that a person is going to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in their lives. This day should be a  red-letter  day for a person and a day they long remember as a guide to how they will liv e their lives. I remember  the Sunday I was baptized  when I was 14 or 15 years old.  This is a public  declaration that  we should all do. John the Baptist had more to say  in verses 7 and 8 ,  ‘And he  preached , saying, “After me comes He who is mightier than I, the strap of  whose sandals I am not  worthy  to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit .”     God wants us to be baptized  in water as an outward symbol but being constantly sensitive to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is something that is daily and ongoing. This is not a  one-time  event but part of our progressive ...