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First Step on
the Road of Obedience as a Christian!
In Christianity, the
first step on the road of obedience as a Christian is to follow
our Lord’s Command to be baptized. Baptism is simply the outward
symbol of an inward change. Baptism is also the identification with
the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We
have already been converted, born again, or saved (Spiritually)
by grace through faith. Therefore, baptism does not save you but
it is the first open, public sign to all that you are following
in the steps of Christ.
Christ’s Command:
Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came
and spoke unto them saying all power is given unto me in Heaven
and in earth (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: And lo I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world. Amen!!
After the resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ, He met with the eleven disciples on a
mountain and commanded them to spread the Gospel to all nations.
We are to follow their example and our Lord’s Command.
Christ’s Example:
Matthew 3:13-17
(15) “And Jesus answering
said unto Him, Suffer it to be so: For thus it becometh us to fufill
all righteousness.” Jesus was our example to follow. He was baptized
not as a baby but right before he began his public ministry.
Christ’s Disciples
Matthew 20:22
“But Jesus answered and
said, “Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup
that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the Baptism that
I am to be baptized with?” They say unto Him, “We are able!”
John 3:22-23
“After these things came
Jesus and his disciples into the Land of Judaea; and there he tarried
with them and baptized (23) And John also was baptizing in Aenon
near Salim, because there was much water: and they came, and were
baptized.”
John 4:1-2
“When therefore the Lord
knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more
disciples than John (2) (Though Jesus himself baptized not but His
Disciples).”
Jesus left the
order of baptism to His Disciples. His Disciples baptized all upon
a declaration of belief in the resurrected Christ.
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