Tag Archives: baptism

Dying to See

Paul will tell the disciples in Rome they are to count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (6:11). He has previously spoken of baptism as being the place where they “died to sin” (v. 2) and were “baptized into His death” (v. 3)—that is, the death of Jesus. How so? Jesus’ death (andContinue reading “Dying to See”

Baptism and Coming to God (1)

1.  Baptism is the immersion in water of a penitent believer. Acts 8:36-39 says:  As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the  chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the waterContinue reading “Baptism and Coming to God (1)”

Connecting with Church (2)

How does a person connect with God’s community (the church)? Since church is God’s community, it is entered into by coming into relationship with Him through Jesus. In the fifth chapter of Ephesians, Paul speaks of Jesus loving the church and giving Himself up for her (v. 25). He then says in v. 26, that Jesus cleansed her,Continue reading “Connecting with Church (2)”

What Makes A Best Man (or Woman)

John 3:22-30 is a passage that is tucked away between Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus and His visit with the women at the well in Samaria. It’s like the U.S. Grant Memorial which sits between the Washington Monument and the U.S Capitol—by  its very location it tends to be overlooked and under-valued. But as we’ll see,Continue reading “What Makes A Best Man (or Woman)”

Nicodemus and the New Birth (2)

Under the law God had given through Moses, Jewish people like Nicodemus entered into a covenant relationship with God by virtue of their physical birth into the nation (there was more to it than that, of course, but that was where it began). With the coming of Christ, covenant relationship no longer came through theContinue reading “Nicodemus and the New Birth (2)”

John’s baptism and ours

Brandon asks, Why is baptism used before Jesus? I thought baptism signified Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Why would baptism be used by John if that’s what it is for?  As the question suggests, the two baptisms are closely related but also have important differences.  Think of it like an engagement ring and a wedding ring.  The engagement ringContinue reading “John’s baptism and ours”