Ok I think the First serious post should be on baptism-since my blog name is nowbaptized. There are so many misconceptions out there that people are so confused and just don't know what from what. May I just insert here that that is the devils plan. To get everyone jumbled up and confused people just say "forget it. We won't believe anything." or "Forget it. This is too hard we give up. Baptism isn't necessary." HOLD ON if these are your thoughts. Baptism is a key to salvation and beginning your walk with God. It is undeniably required for one to enter the Kingdom of heaven. So let's begin with these common misconceptions.
Misconception 1: "You don't have to be baptized to be saved."
This is a common one that many people close to me believe. Please listen if you believe this. A great reason to not believe this lie-EVEN JESUS WAS BAPTIZED. Here read-"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordon." Mark 1:9 KJV. The mention of Jesus' baptism is present not only in Mark, but in all three books that retell the life of Jesus. Jesus-God in flesh (if you don't believe this, there will be a post on it) was baptized. Not only was Jesus baptized, he even told others to be baptized! Nicodemus asked Jesus how can a man be born again? and Jesus replied, " Verily , Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Jesus tells us we need to be baptized in WATER and SPIRIT!!! People let's stop trying to analyze his warning. He doesn't tell us in a parable. No he tells us in a straightforward manner that you MUST be baptized in water AND spirit. There is nothing to "read" or no other meaning from his statement. If there was why would he be baptized in water? It would be a waste of time, and since Jesus had little time to do what he needed, he would not "waste" his time with full immersion water baptism if he did not need to. Even Jesus could not enter the Kingdom of heaven without baptism-that's what this scripture tells us. So please head his advice and get baptized!
Misconception 2: "A prayer that I accepted Christ is enough"
This is a huge lie. It's good you want to accept Christ and change your life around, but a prayer is not enough not only to enter the heaven but also to give you strenght in living a saved life. Please read Misconception 1 and return to misconception 2. Ok now that you've read that not only did Jesus say everyone must be baptized and was baptized himself, let's continue. My thought on this when I was thinking of baptism was of course it makes since to be baptized. I did not know the previous stated sciptures and did not understand why. I justified me getting baptized like this lol. "When one grows another year we have a birthday party. An physical action to MARK the change. When one is married, we have a wedding-a physical action to MARK the change in those two people's lives. When one dies we have funeral-an action to Mark this unfortunante change. All theses things, a birthday party, a wedding, a funeral, are big events we do to SHOW/MARK a change. It only makes since that when we make the most significant decision of our lives, that we would say more than a prayer...we will have an action to MARK that we want to change and that we are obedient to His word. People can say a prayer on a daily basis, like eating. But when you accept Christ, it's big. More than a birthday and wedding. Therefore wouldn't we do something big for this as well? Think about it. Jesus said to be born again, one must be baptized in WATER and SPIRIT, he did not say to say a prayer.
Misconception 3: "Baptism in the Trinity is the same as Baptism in Jesus name"
The bible states that when we are baptized we be baptized in the NAME OF JESUS. This made my brows furrow in confusion because all I'd been taught was baptism in the trinity. I never knew Jesus name baptism even existed haha. Anyways, no it's not the same. It's good you wanted to obey God by being baptized, but the trinity does not wash away your sins. Not only because the trinity does not exist-there is only one God who MANIFESTED himself. There are not three seperate beings. (more on this late)-but also because the bible says to be baptized in the NAME of Christ. Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, 'Repent,and let every one of you be baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins; and you shall recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit."; Acts 19:5 " When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
The only place in the bible that refers to baptizing the Father,Son, and Holy Ghost is Matthew 28:19. When I found this I showed it to Candace (my friend who invited me to church) and she pointed out a detail many miss, "Go thereforeand make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." As you notice name is singular not plural. Peter even says in Acts 4:10 and12, "Let it be known to you all, and to all he people of Isreal, that by the NAME of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole...Nor is there salvation in any other NAME under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." There is just one name (I will do another post about oneness) Jesus is that name.
Thank you for reading. As a note I used NKJV for all the scriptures.I pray I helped someone get a clearer undersanding. IF you have any questions feel free to ask.
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