After Christ was baptised of John in Jordan the heavens were opened, and the light of the glory of God, brighter than the sun at noonday, shone from the eternal throne. The form of a dove encircled the Son of God, while a clear voice from the eternal was heard saying,
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Communication between heaven and earth, between God and man, had been broken by the fall of Adam; but through Christ man could again commune with God. How grateful should we be for the privileges which Christ has gained for us.
Baptism is for the committed
All baptised Christians have made a covenant with Jesus, and claim to be His children. But do you live the Christ-life? Have you been seeking those things which are above? When you took your baptismal vows, we’re you truly dead to sin and to the world?
Baptism is for the responsible
No one is amenable to the gospel of Christ who is incapable of assuming the responsibilities connected with conversion. Jesus taught that those who wish to follow him must be willing to separate from loved ones—even parents—if necessary. The New Testament symbolically represents our union with Christ as a “marriage” (see Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:22). Those who are dead to sin and to the world should also be dead to fashion and pride, regularly contribute liberally to support the Christian mission field and spend nothing for selfish gratification. Does this sound like you?
“One’s relationship with the Son of God is the most important commitment he will ever have upon this earth.”
Baptism is for one who understands
As God-fearing parents, we should lead our children to give their hearts to God when they are young. We should tell them our desire to see them converted and baptised, and then work to this end.
Those in whom Christ is abiding will never neglect the duties that they owe to their children. Fathers, mothers, come to the foot of the cross, saying,
“Lord, forgive me for failing to serve Thee and to render grateful praise to Thee for Thy loving-kindness to me. O Jesus, pardon me, and I will begin to live a new life, henceforth serving Thee alone.”
Be careful with arbitrary conclusions
No one can make a sweeping generalization regarding another’s baptism. No one is able to judge, based upon mere age.
Be prepared with gentleness
There is no doubt but that small children will, on occasion, request baptism—when it is readily apparent that they do not comprehend the gravity of the situation.
Remember that our children are not are own, but that they, too, have been “bought with a price,” and that they are to be prepared for a home in heaven. A crown of glory will be placed upon the head of every victorious parent and every victorious child. The gates of the beautiful city will be opened for the entrance of both faithful parents and obedient children. In that day it will be the privilege of faithful parents to say,
“Behold I and the children which God hath given me are saved by grace.”
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6 replies on “We Need to Take Jesus’ Metaphor of Being Born Again More Seriously”
It is mans religions that compel you to be Baptized with water…. the Spirit of God never ordained the Baptist or the Pentecostals or any other of man’s religions as the one to attend. It is a personal walk with the Holy Spirit with the Spirit of God dwelling within each of us the is the spirit of the water, the Spirit of Christ, I do not wish to be baptized in the filth of the spiritual waters of man’s contrived religions to the gods they serve.
Love this! God bless!
Oh.. I truly agree with this part that “all baptised Christians have made a covenant with Jesus, and claim to be His children.” after that we should live the Christ-life.. like Apostle Paul.. “I die every day” which means that he was truly dead to sin and to the world.. Thank you for the posting!
Amen! :) Thank you for sharing this thoughtful message with us.
On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
LOVE!!! Amen!!