- 25/11/2012
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
baptism of Jesus Christ became the turning point in the development of Christianity because Jesus Christ’s view on baptism contributed to the emergence of Christianity as the universal religion that eliminates frontier between nations and unites people regardless of their ethnic background, social standing, and other factors that separate people, whereas faith is the determinant factor that unites them and makes them closer to God by mediation of baptism.
THE SYMBOLIC VIEW
Different views on baptism and its interpretation admit the existence of the symbolic view on baptism. At any rate, the symbolic nature of baptism can be easily traced throughout its essence and the rite of baptizing. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the symbolic role of water in the rite of baptizing. The water implies the purification of a believer and his or her rebirth after immersion or sprinkling. In such a way, the use of water turns out to be a symbol of the change of the believer and his or her life.
At the same time, many researchers (Cullmann, 185) lay emphasis on the fact that baptism is rather an external symbol than internal one. What is meant here is the fact that the baptism symbolizes the acceptance of Christianity by an individual and his or her public recognition of the change in his or her life and his or her shift toward Christianity. On the other hand, the public understands clearly the attitude of the baptized person to Christianity, while the Christian community recognizes the baptized person as one of its members.
At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that baptism is the act that defines the entire life of an individual. This act is irrevocable and a baptized person takes a symbolic step toward Christianity through baptism. In such a way, baptized people are supposed to remain Christians till the end of their life. In such a way, baptism may be viewed as a symbol of Christianity and Christian lifestyle.
Did Jesus come by water? Yes, He did. He came by His baptism. The water symbolized the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist at the Jordon River.
Many people do not believe that Jesus came by water, blood and spirit. Jesus is truly the King of Kings and the God of all gods. But God said that anyone should believe that Jesus is the King of Kings and the only true God and the true Savior would be born of Him. Those who love God, love Jesus and those who truly believe in God, believe in the same way. People cannot overcome the world unless they are born again. Thus, the Apostle John told us that only true Christians could overcome the world. The reason why the faithful born again believer can overcome the world is that they have faith in the water, the blood and the Spirit. The power to overcome the world cannot spring from a person’s will, endeavor or passion (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
The love referred to here means that Jesus came by water, blood and Spirit. In the Bible, the word “love” always refers to “the love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Actually, God’s love was manifested through His Holy begotten Son (1 John 4:9).
Fellow Christians, the One who overcame Satan and the world was Jesus Christ. How did Jesus Christ overcome the world? Through the redemption of the water, the blood and the Spirit. In the Bible, “water” refers to “the baptism of Jesus” (1 Peter 3:2). Jesus came to this world in the flesh. He came to save the sinners of the world; He was baptized to take away the sins of all sinners and died on the Cross to atone for those sins.
Since Jesus was baptized to take away all of the world’s sins and died to expiate them. Jesus was baptized in the Jordon River by John the Baptist. All the sins of the world were passed onto Jesus Christ, the representative of all human beings. Jesus gave His life on the Cross for the wages of sin. He overcame the power of Satan with His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus paid the wages of all sins with His death.
The Apostle John said that redemption is not just of the water but both water and blood. Therefore, as Jesus had taken away all sins and remitted our sins forever, all sinners would be saved from their sin by believing on the Jesus Christ as the scriptures say.
However, Peter and all of the disciples testified to the true gospel of the baptism of Jesus. We should believe in the words written in the Bible and have faith in the salvation of the Spirit, of the baptism of Jesus and His precious blood. If we ignore the baptism of Jesus and only testify to the fact that Jesus died for our sins on the Cross, our salvation is not complete. We should clearly explain the baptism of Jesus. He came into this world by water, blood and Spirit. The redemption of the water and the Spirit spring from the faith in the baptism of Jesus Christ. His blood on the Cross and the belief that Jesus is God, our Savior should stimulate faith in the baptism of Jesus Christ.
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