July 16, 2002
THE PROCEDURE FOLLOWED IN PREPARING THE BRIDE. There are definite steps that are required in order to be a member of the Bride of Christ. They begin with the New Birth which is primary and fundamental. The New Birth allows one to know and understand that there is a Kingdom of God. John 3:3 Entrance into the Kingdom is gained by being born of the water and the Spirit. Spiritual life follows the pattern of the natural, inasmuch as water and breath {pneuma, spirit or breath} are required for natural birth. Spiritual birth requires more than just the joining of the Spirit of the Lord with our spirit. Water is also involved in Spiritual birth. Jesus said; <water and Spirit>. John 3:5
A BEAUTIFUL TYPE OF WATER AND SPIRIT BAPTISM. The Lord led the children of Israel out of Egypt with great manifestation of power. Paul states that their experience was one of being baptized into (NIV} Moses. In the cloud and in the sea. A type of water and Spirit baptism. 1 Cor. 10:2Certainly the greatest type is the baptism of the Lord Jesus. John tried to dissuade Jesus from being baptized of John. However the answer that Jesus gave makes evident the importance of water baptism. It is proper to accomplish <all righteousness>. Jesus set the perfect example. Mat. 3:15 Jesus, walking in obedience to water baptism was immediately filled with the Spirit, incidentally the Spirit descended <LIKE> a dove. The Spirit settled down on Him. Not a dove. Mat. 3:16 Those convicted of their sin on the day of Pentecost anxiously inquired of the way of salvation. The first requirement was repentance, to be sorry for our sins, how very necessary that is. The second step was to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, >FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS>, deliverance, freedom or forgiveness of our sins is completed as we are obedient to the WORD. Acts 2:38 The people who heard this message, received it gladly and were baptized. Their number being some three Thousand. They were convinced of the truth presented to them and acted promptly. Acts 2:41 Faith and baptism are necessary for salvation. Mark 16:16 The command given by the Lord Jesus was not only to teach but to baptize their converts. It is obvious from the scriptures that water baptism is an important act in the process of developing the true church. Another evidence of the accomplishment of water baptism is found in the words of Ananias to Saul. Saul was exhorted to be baptized in order to <wash his sins away>. The physical man, the body, needs a cleansing as well as the spiritual man. Acts 22:16 So important was the washing of water at the laver in the tabernacle and the temple that if the priest, who would minister, did not wash before entering, he would die. Ex. 30:19 The man of Ethiopia responded immediately to the message brought to him by Philip and requested immediate baptism. Acts 8:36 In the days of Noah his family of eight were saved by water. We too are saved by water indicating the pledge of a good conscience toward the Lord, by His resurrection. Water baptism is a necessity for the Bride. 1 Pet. 3:21