THE WATERS OF THE NEW BIRTH. Because of its ability to expose sin, then to wash and cleanse from sin, the WORD is likened unto water. Spiritual cleansing and Holiness are the result of an effective working of the Spirit and the Word in the believer. As effectual as the water of the Word is in an inward cleansing of the Spirit nature, so the waters of baptism have a cleansing effect. Water baptism is a very necessary part of the foundational works of salvation and the development of the Spiritual man. Peters Pentecostal message called for repentance and water baptism, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (His full name being used in many translations.) For < THE REMISSION OF SINS >. This illustrates to us that the flesh, the body in which sin was committed needs a cleansing also. The process of salvation has its effect on the whole man, spirit, soul and body. In the exhortation of Ananias to Saul he urged him to arise and be baptized in order to < WASH HIS SINS AWAY > while calling on the name of the Lord. Water baptism is not a ritual but involves a work of the Spirit where the fleshly body is cleansed and purified from the pollution of sin. Water baptism does not save, but is a very important link and step in the cleansing of every one who believes on the Lord Jesus.
WHAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS. Our subject is too large to have more than a passing reference to it. The study of the Holy Spirit is a great and lengthy study. Nevertheless, it is of vital importance. The Holy Spirit is the one who is the motivation of the Kingdom of God within us. Israel, in the days of the Lord Jesus anticipated that a natural kingdom would be established by their Messiah. They were wrong and missed the kingdom of God which was introduced by Jesus. It was Paul in his letter to the Romans who was to declare that the kingdom was not meat and drink, or a natural kingdom but it was to be a Spiritual kingdom. A kingdom of righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost. A time of the righteousness of God prevailing and ruling. A time of peace and tranquilly. An atmosphere of joy and rejoicing. A time of the great blessings of the Lord. His kingdom filled with the Spirit with all, living and dwelling in the power of the Spirit. Rom. 14:17
WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Jesus made it very plain to the Pharisees of His day that the kingdom was not to be located by natural or physical means. They watched Jesus in all of His activities trying to discern the kingdom for which they were waiting and watching. Lk. 17:20 Their anticipation was for the establishment of a secular kingdom. They had no vision or comprehension of any kind of a governmental authority which was anything but of this world. Jesus directed them into an entirely different direction by stating that, the kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU. Luke 17:21 Our Lord has no reason other than to reveal His kingdom, in its fullness, in His people, and never more so, than in this day and hour.