Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Wednesday November 11, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Acts, please read chapters 7-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-november-11

Today's Message: Baptism
Many Christian's are unaware of what it means to be baptized. One can not be saved by baptism, the only way to be saved is by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.

The word baptize from the Bible means to emerge into water, unless it is plainly indicated as something else in a particular passage. We can learn about baptism from a man named, Philip, he was one of the seven chosen, along with Stephen (chapter 7) to assist the Apostles in the preaching of the Gospel (he was a soul winner). “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. …......But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” Acts 8:5-12,13. After Philip saw Stephen get stoned he could have walked away, instead he continued preaching the Gospel. Everyone that heard him paid attention to every word he said, accepted Jesus into their lives and got baptized, including Simon, the sorcerer. Baptism is a burial, we are "buried with him," that is, Jesus is going to die on the cross and be buried in Joseph's tomb and come out alive. Being baptized means that one is identified with Christ, it symbolizes and appropriates our death, burial and resurrection with Christ.

Philip was then led by the Holy Spirit to meet an Ethiopian official on his way home. “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet...........Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” - Acts 8:26-28,35-39. Why was it necessary that Philip be caught up? This eunuch would be returning to Ethiopia, and this eunuch was shown a miracle by the Holy Spirit for it would be no longer by faith, but by sight that he had seen with his very own eyes a servant of the Living God, teaching and preaching the Gospel that gives eternal life. God granted him this miracle, and he went on his way rejoicing. Here are the qualifications for being baptized, and the eunuch gave his commitment when he said; "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." This one person, not even knowing that Jesus Christ was born, after hearing Philip teach, was moved by the Holy Spirit and repented of his sins, and now desires to be baptized.

What about children?

Many feel that if infants die without baptism they will go to hell and thus baptism is the means to remove original sin and save them from hell, this is not true. Infants have no ability to rationally discriminate between right and wrong and therefore they will have no sin held against them if they die in that state. There is not one verse in Scripture that commands infants to be baptized. There is not one example found in Scripture where any infant was baptized. When David's infant child died he clearly expressed hope to see him again. The Bible clearly tells us that God does not punish the children for the sins of their fathers but only for their own sins (see II Samuel 12:18-23.)

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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