It is critical for a period of self examination to take place before
making the commitment of baptism into Yahshua's Body. You cannot
confess that which you do not recognize to be sin. Sin is what
separates us from the presence of Yahweh, and causes Him to hide His
face from us. This sin, or transgression of Yahweh's eternal Law,
distorts the true nature and character of the Heavenly Father in man.
This distortion (or corruption) originated when Satan fell through pride
(Ezekiel 28:16-18).
Through his influence Satan led a willing Adam into sin in the Garden
of Eden. Yahshua's sacrifice removes the stigma of that sin which has
continued up to the present time. Once we prepare our hearts to accept
the forgiveness of all that lays in our past, we then have the way
(through a humble and contrite heart) to receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit. We then become personally responsible directly to our Mediator
Yahshua the Messiah for our actions. The power of the Holy Spirit
within will make overcoming the carnal human nature possible.
Romans chapter 6 is key to grasping the gravity of the baptism topic.
Verses 3 and 4 give a clear illustration of the meaning of baptism to
the modern believer. Those who are baptized into Yahshua's Body are
baptized into His death. The distinguishing difference between Yahshua
and the rest of humanity is that Yahshua never allowed His carnal nature
to spring to life, whereas the rest of us have all done so and must
therefore put it to death through baptism. This is why John the Baptist
had the interchange with Yahshua that he did in Matthew 3:13-15. While
Yahshua Himself did not need baptism, He submitted to it in order that
the pattern would be established for the rest of us to follow.
Baptism likewise signifies a cleansing. Hebrews (:11-28, especially
verses 14 & 22 makes clear that the outward act of baptism is
employed by Yahweh to affect an inner change to our consciences through
the knowledge of Yahshua's blood sacrifice for our sins. He died so
that we can live forever. His death took away the penalty for the sins
committed under the Old Covenant, (Verse 15). That act of bearing sin
enables you and I to stand and participate in the events described in 2
Corinthians 3:16-18.Baptism demonstrates also the message of
reconciliation which Yahshua ha commissioned us to take to the world.
His express purpose is to reconcile all of creation to Himself (1
Corinthians 15, and Hebrews 2:7-10) He has broken down the dividing
wall of hostility (or flesh i.e. carnal nature Ephesians 2:14-18 and
Hebrews 10:19-24).
According to Hebrews 10:22-24, the end goal desired by Yahweh through
this act of baptism is to see us living on earth as does He in the
heavens.
We must
necessarily reverence the Word of Yahweh and demonstrate that reverence
by a changed, humble attitude, an attitude which will open the way for
the Holy Spirit to enter and possess us fully, causing us to develop
into the stature of the fullness of the Messiah. It is taking wrong
even when we don't deserve it. It is allowing the Spirit of the living
Elohim to reveal greater truths to us, and utilizing those truths as a
means to keeping our perspective on eternity as the guide for our daily
actions. Baptism is a demonstration of our love to Yahweh for sending
His Son into the World.
