Subject: What of Baptism? |
Bible Note: Jesus himself was baptized by John. He commanded us to repent, believe, and be baptized. How is this a mere ritual rather than a matter of obedience? It is not the baptism with water that cleanses us from our sin, but our obedience is a sign that we believe. Just as Naman had to wash in the Jordan river to be cleansed from his leprousy, rather than another river closer to his home--as a sign of belief and obedience, not because the water of the Jordan itself was any better than any other water.(see 2 Kings 5)any time we say we are wiser than God, that we don't have to do what he tells us to, we are treading on dangerous ground. |