Immersion in Water

Living as we do in a retirement complex in a small bushveld town, we are in close proximity to many people, friends, who have lived in the bushveld or in small towns all their lives. Their lifestyle is somewhat different to those, possibly more sophisticated, city people and while living closer to God's nature and appreciating things pertaining to the bushveld, they seem more steeped in the religious traditions of their church denominations.
This unfortunate state of affairs has resulted in an almost total lack of preparedness or ability to listen to or search for the truth of God's word and do, to obtain the spiritual freedom that the Holy Spirit gives to His saints.
As a result of this it was felt necessary to comment on a Christian phenomenon that has so been misused and misrepresented by many of these denominations that it has resulted in bondage (being in religious handcuffs) of the followers thereof. With a little (re)searching this act of "baptism" is fairly easily explained and it is a wonder that those who go to christian denominations which practice infant baptism cannot or will not see God's will in the matter. This very act of disobedience goes hand in hand with the reluctance to read God's word on a daily basis and probably excludes them from the physical and spiritual blessings that God is wanting to freely give His servants.

This writing is not intended to be a treatise on baptism, but rather a few pertinent comments to encourage those persons with the will to be obedient to find the truth for themselves.

Firstly the word "baptism" is an unfortunate one and is a transliteration of the Greek word baptismo - the language that the New Covenant was written in. A truer and more applicable word would have been "immersion" and using it would have limited Satan in his deception of the whole baptism issue.
If you, dear pilgrim, can accept that Satan is a real spiritual person, is evil, is the god of this world and that he works against anything that God says is good, we can use this knowledge to our advantage in our search just by seeing what Satan's reactions are to certain of God's wishes.

I have stated on numerous occasions in writings on this web site* that I believe, and this by Spiritual manifestations, that the Authorised version of the Bible is the closest that we can come to knowing God's word; and the same goes for the old translation of the Afrikaans Bible - Die Ou Vertaling - because they were translated from the textus receptus (Received Text).
Satan has undoubtedly succeeded in perverting God's word in the newer versions.
Here are but three easily researched omissions from the word of God; evidence of the hand of Satan and traps for the unwary. Are they present in the Bible that you read? Without ifs and buts, or footnotes?: And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.; (Acts 8:37); . . . . who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.; (Romans 8:1); For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.; (1 John 5:7)

The latter part of Acts chapter eight deals with the willing immersion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Now why would Satan want the words in verse thirty seven omitted? It can only mean that this physical act has spiritual undertones that we can mostly guess at.

By the way, here's a rather deep one; why are there chapters and verses in the Bible? For example the letters which Paul wrote to the various churches which make up the major part of the New Covenant were written like any letter that you would write.
Surely, the main reason is that in this way God has protected His word. Something that He holds higher than His name.
In the above examples we have three deliberate sins of commission (sins committed), two of them sins of omission. Thanks to God's foresight we are easily able to identify that in two of these examples whole verses have been omitted; and in one, the verse number as well.


It has been said that when visiting overseas, a foreigner can always be picked out by his speech or clothes or complexion. However, a Jew is a Jew in whatever country he or she resides in and history is full of records of the persecution of Jews - which is also a physical act with spiritual undertones. In fact, a Jew is firstly a citizen of a nation of a spiritual nature and then a citizen of a physical country. The reason is the attempt by the Jew to maintain his Covenant with God that was made under mount Sinai and has resulted in him being in bondage (spiritual handcuffs) to the laws of the Old Covenant of the Bible. However, adherence to the culture of the Law by the Jew has kept him from being physically swallowed up by those around him. We as Christians know that the law was the physical attribute of the spiritual will of God and in many instances can see the promise of Christ Jesus (the Messiah) and the release of the Holy Spirit, in the law of Moses. Unfortunately, the Jews perform these rituals as physical obedience, not fully understanding the spiritual undertones.

As an example, the following is an extract from a book¹ that has been quoted from before.
Here is a passage of Scripture concerning part of the law for the cleansing of a leper:: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.; (Leviticus 14:1-7)
The leper that sought cleansing was to bring two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood and scarlet and hyssop. The priest commanded that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel, over running water. The live bird, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were all dipped in the blood, and the leper was sprinkled with the blood; then the live bird was let loose in the open field. It flew through the air, bearing on its feathers the blood, which was a type of Christ's blood that will purify the air, and remove from it all the germs, of sin and death. Now death comes in at our windows, but the blood of Christ will give us a new atmosphere.
Earth, air, and water are elements which compose our planet. All are tainted by sin. The earthen dish containing the blood held over the running water typified the time when earth, air, and water would be freed from the curse of sin by the blood of Christ. The cedar wood and hyssop represented the two extremes in vegetation, from the giant of the forest to the hyssop on the wall. They were dipped in the blood, thus teaching Israel that Christ's blood would free the entire vegetable world from the curse, and again clothe the earth in Eden beauty.
It might seem to man that the curse was so deeply marked upon earth, air, and sea that it could never be removed; but the little piece of scarlet wool, dipped in the blood with the live bird, the cedar, and the hyssop, was a pledge that the blood of Christ would remove the deepest marks from the sin-cursed earth.
We have the real sacrifice to study as well as the shadow. Type met antitype. The blood of Christ has been shed; the price has been paid that will restore the purity of the earth, air and sea. . . .
From the wound in His side "there flowed two copious and distinct streams, one of blood and the other of water." The blood of Christ was brought in contact with the earth, air and water. The two extremes in vegetation also met at Calvary. The cross was made of wood taken from the trees of the forest; "and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it into His mouth."
Was there an antitype of the scarlet while His blood was trickling from those cruel wounds? - Yes. In Jesus as He hung on the cross, bruised, mocked and bleeding, the thief beheld the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Hope kindled in his soul, and he cast himself on a dying Saviour. With full faith that Christ would possess the kingdom he cried, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." In a soft melodious tone, full of love, the answer was quickly given: "Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." As these words were spoken, the darkness around the cross was pierced with living light. The thief felt the peace and joy of sins forgiven. Christ was glorified. While all thought Him conquered, He was the conqueror. They could not rob Him of His power to forgive sins.
Type has fully met antitype; the price has been paid; the blood of the world's Redeemer has been poured upon the ground. It has dropped through the air from the cruel cross. It has flowed with water from the wound of the cruel spear. The extremes of vegetation also came in contact with it, and he whose sins were as scarlet, experienced the peace of having them made as white as snow by the precious blood, even while it was flowing from the open wounds.

While we all see through a glass darkly and are also led about by our sinful nature, the above is probably a Spiritual explanation of a physical rite as laid down in the law. This physical rite of obedience resulted in the miraculous (spiritual) cleansing of lepers' bodies.
For miraculous healing let's see the following:: Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.; (2 Kings 5:1-16); And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.; (Luke 17:12-19)
We see here that although these ten lepers were healed, Jesus, according to the Old Covenant, told them to show themselves to the priests, in obedience to the Law as described in Leviticus.


So we see that a physical act of obedience to our Spiritual King, the Creator, acknowledging Him and who He is, can result in the healing of the body and/or the reception of a spiritual blessing.

If nothing else, why is there this abhorrence of doing a simple act of getting wet and why are there all these religious smoke-screens in place to dissuade a believer from this act?
Satan must know something spiritual that we can't perceive.

Let's have a look at God's commandments in the Old Covenant and then see how modern Judaism has applied them.: And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.; (Exodus 28:41-43)
: And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them. And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.; (Exodus 29:1-9)
: And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.; (Exodus 40:12-15)
: Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.; (Exodus 30:18-21)
: And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there: And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people. And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar. And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.; (Leviticus 16:20-26)
: And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.; (Leviticus 17:15-16)
: I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:; (Psalms 26:6); When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.; (Matthew 27:24)

*To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.*: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.; (Psalms 51:1-2)

Understanding that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the beginning of the New Covenant, let's study what John the Immerser had to say under the law:: And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;; (Luke 3:3)

The meaning of this washing was well known:: I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.; (Psalms 32:5)

Multitudes understood this also:: Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptised of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.; (Luke 3:7-9)

John understood that the immersion that he was told to perform was part of the law and that a more perfect (spiritual) immersion was still to come:: John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptise you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.; (Luke 3:16-17); Now when all the people were baptised, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptised, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.; (Luke 3:21-22)

This is confirmed in the New Covenant:: This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.; (Acts 18:25-26); And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptised? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.; (Acts 19:1-5)

The act of immersion probably started with that of washing as laid down in Exodus and Leviticus and a bath was made to facilitate the ritual washing of the priests. This bath became known as a mikveh. The tradition of the mikveh has grown and is used by all Jews, male and female for various ritual cleansings. Even pots and pans are ritually cleansed therein.
Further information can easily be obtained on the Internet.

Here are a few New Covenant teachings concerning the subject: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.; (John 3:3-6)
: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.; (Acts 2:36-38)
: And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.; (Acts 22:14-16)
: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.; (Romans 6:1-18)
: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.; (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)
: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.; (Colossians 2:8-15)
: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.; (Colossians 3:1-4)

So, we can see that the Children of Israel were baptised unto Moses.
Naaman baptised himself in the Jordan.
John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins in the Jordan.
Jesus of Nazareth received the power of the Holy Spirit for His public ministry after rising from the waters of immersion.

Peter stated that repentance and immersion in the name of Jesus Christ would result in the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Paul described immersion as being planted in the likeness of death and rising in newness of life.
Also, buried with Him in baptism and risen with Him through faith.

Jesus died, was "planted" in a tomb and rose from the dead, a new (Spiritual) person; and explained it before His death:: And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.; (John 12:23-27)

Our willing act of covering ourselves in water in the name of Christ Jesus also demonstrates to God our obedience to His will and as a result He graciously (by His grace) justifies us as we are "covered" by the blood of His Son.: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.; (Romans 3:23-26)

The reason for the act of Biblical baptism is possibly best described as follows:: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:; (1 Peter 3:17-21)


Baptism of John -- Immersion in public. Admitting the presence of sin and willingness to change, to lead a more sinless life. Done in one's own strength, done under the Law (the big stick) of the Old Covenant. Believing that God would forgive those sins already committed. (Matthew 3:2;6.)

Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ -- Immersion in public. Admitting the presence of sin and willingness to change, to lead a life as Jesus Christ would approve of. Done in faith that Jesus is the Son of God; that He died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Faith that as a result of this act we should receive the Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.: I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:; (Matthew 3:11); And Jesus, when he was baptised, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:; (Matthew 3:16)

: Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.; (Psalms 59:17); For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.; (James 2:26); And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.; (Revelation 14:6-7)

* www.hosanna.org.za
¹ The Story of Daniel the Prophet by S Haskell